Paul

54When the leaders heard this, they were very angry. They ground their teeth at him.

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

NoteGrinding your teeth together is something people did when they were very angry.

55But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He looked up into heaven. He saw the shining glory of God. He saw Jesus standing at God's right side.

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

NoteSitting or standing at a king's right side was the place of greatest honor. Stephen is saying Jesus is beside God in that special place.

56He said, "Look! I see heaven opened. I see the Son of Man standing at God's right side."

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

NoteSon of Man was the name Jesus most often used for himself.

57Then they shouted very loudly and covered their ears. They all rushed at him together.

Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

NoteThey covered their ears because they did not want to hear another word. To them Stephen's words sounded like an insult to God.

58They dragged him out of the city and threw stones at him. The men who spoke against him laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

NoteThrowing stones at someone was how people put a person to death long ago. The men who spoke against Stephen threw the first stones. They took off their outer coats first so they could throw harder. This young man Saul is the one later called Paul.

59While they threw the stones, Stephen prayed. He said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60Then he knelt down and cried out loudly. He said, "Lord, do not blame them for this sin." After he said this, he died.

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

NoteThe King James says he "fell asleep." That was a gentle, quiet way of saying that he died.

1Saul agreed that Stephen should be killed. That same day people began to hurt the church in Jerusalem. The church is the group of people who follow Jesus. They all ran away to the lands of Judea and Samaria. Only the apostles stayed.

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

NoteThe apostles were the special helpers Jesus chose to lead his followers. Judea was the land around Jerusalem. Samaria was the land just to the north.

2Men who loved God buried Stephen. They cried out loud because they were very sad.

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

NoteLong ago, people showed sadness by crying out loud at a funeral. The King James calls this "great lamentation." It was not rude. It was the normal way to say goodbye.

3Saul tried to destroy the church. He went into house after house. He dragged out men and women and put them in jail.

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

NoteSaul thought people who followed Jesus were wrong. He wanted to stop them. Later this same Saul became a follower of Jesus himself.

4The people who had run away told the good news about Jesus everywhere they went.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

1Saul was still saying angry things about the followers of Jesus. He even wanted them killed. He went to the high priest, the top leader at the temple.

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

NoteSaul is the same man who is later called Paul. Many people then had two names, one Jewish and one Roman. The high priest was the top leader at the temple in Jerusalem. The temple was the big building where Jewish people worshiped God.

2Saul asked him for letters to the meeting places in Damascus. Then, if he found any men or women who followed the way of Jesus, he could tie them up. He would bring them back to Jerusalem.

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

NoteA synagogue was a meeting place. Jewish people gathered there to pray and hear God's words. The letters worked like a permission slip from the high priest. They told the leaders in Damascus that Saul was allowed to do this. "This way" was an early name for people who followed Jesus.

3Saul was on the road, coming close to Damascus. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed all around him.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

NoteDamascus was a big city far north of Jerusalem. Walking there took about a week.

4He fell down on the ground. He heard a voice say, "Saul, Saul, why are you hurting me?"

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5Saul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus. You are hurting me. Kicking against a sharp stick only hurts you."

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

NoteThe King James says "kick against the pricks." A prick was a sharp stick. Farmers used one to poke an ox and keep it walking. If the ox kicked back, it only hurt its own foot. It was an old saying about fighting something far stronger than you.

6Saul was shaking and amazed. He said, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" The Lord said, "Get up and go into the city. Someone will tell you what to do."

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7The men walking with Saul stood still. They could not say a word. They heard the voice, but they saw no one.

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8Saul got up from the ground. He opened his eyes, but he could not see. So the men led him by the hand into Damascus.

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9For three days he could not see. He did not eat or drink anything.

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10A follower of Jesus lived in Damascus. His name was Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, a picture God gave him to see. The Lord said, "Ananias!" He answered, "I am here, Lord."

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11The Lord said, "Get up. Go to the street called Straight. Ask at Judas's house for a man named Saul. He comes from the town of Tarsus. Right now he is praying.

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

NoteStraight Street was a real street in Damascus. Most streets there twisted and turned. This one ran straight across the city, so everyone knew it. Tarsus was a large city far to the north. It was Saul's hometown.

12"In a vision Saul has seen a man named Ananias come in. That man puts his hands on Saul so he can see again."

And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

NotePeople often put their hands on someone while praying for them. It was a way of showing that God's help was coming to that person.

13Ananias said, "Lord, many people have told me about this man. He has hurt your people in Jerusalem very badly.

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

NoteThe King James word here is "saints." It meant people who belong to God. It did not mean people who never did anything wrong.

14"The chief priests, the temple leaders, gave him the right to come here. He can arrest anyone who prays to you."

And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

NoteThe chief priests were the leaders in charge at the temple. "Call on your name" meant praying to Jesus. It was a way of saying someone belonged to him.

15But the Lord said, "Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will tell about me to kings and to the people of Israel. He will tell people who are not Jews too.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

NoteThe King James calls Saul a "chosen vessel." A vessel is a jar or a cup. God meant Saul was like a jar he picked to carry something precious. "Gentiles" meant every person who was not Jewish.

16"I will show him how much he must suffer because he serves me."

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

17So Ananias went to the house and went inside. He put his hands on Saul. He said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one who met you on the road. He sent me so you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

NoteThe King James says "Holy Ghost." In 1611 the word ghost simply meant spirit. It is not a spooky ghost. It means God's own Spirit.

18Right away something like fish scales fell off Saul's eyes. He could see again. He got up and was baptized, washed with water to show he belonged to Jesus.

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

NoteScales are the small hard flakes that cover a fish. Something like that fell off Saul's eyes.

19Then he ate some food, and he felt strong again. Saul stayed for a few days with the followers of Jesus in Damascus.

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

NoteThe King James says he "received meat." Back then meat meant food of any kind. It did not have to come from an animal.

20Right away he began to preach in the meeting places. He told people that Jesus is the Son of God.

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

NoteTo preach means to stand up and tell people something out loud. "Son of God" was a title, a special name for Jesus.

21Everyone who heard him was surprised. They said, "Isn't this the man who hurt Jesus' followers in Jerusalem? Didn't he come here to tie them up? Wasn't he going to take them to the chief priests?"

But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22But Saul grew stronger and stronger. He showed the Jewish people in Damascus that Jesus is the Christ, the King God promised. They could not argue back.

But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Note"Christ" means the king God promised to send. The word comes from oil being poured on someone's head. That is how a new king was shown to everyone.

23After many days went by, some of the Jews there made a plan to kill Saul.

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24But Saul found out about their plan. They watched the city gates day and night, waiting to kill him.

But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25So the followers of Jesus helped him at night. They put him in a big basket. They let him down through an opening in the city wall.

Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

NoteSome houses were built right into the thick city wall. A window in such a house looked out over the outside. Guards watched every gate, so a basket out a window was the only way out.

26Saul came to Jerusalem. He tried to join the followers of Jesus there. But they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he was really a follower.

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27Then Barnabas took him to the apostles, the men Jesus chose to lead. He told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road. He told them how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He told them how bravely Saul preached about Jesus in Damascus.

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

NoteBarnabas was a leader the believers trusted. The apostles were the men Jesus chose to lead his followers. The word apostle means "someone sent out."

28So Saul stayed with them. He came and went all around Jerusalem.

And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29He spoke bravely about the Lord Jesus. He argued with Jews who spoke Greek. Those men tried to kill him.

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

NoteThese were Jewish men who grew up speaking Greek. Greek was the language most people used then for talking and trading. Saul and these men argued about Jesus.

30When the other believers found this out, they took Saul to the city of Caesarea. From there they sent him to Tarsus.

Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

NoteCaesarea was a city on the sea with a big harbor. From there a person could sail away by ship. Tarsus was Saul's hometown, far to the north.

25Then Barnabas went to the city of Tarsus to look for Saul.

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

NoteTarsus was a city far away. It was Saul's hometown. Saul is the same man later called Paul.

26He found him and brought him back to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church there. They taught a great many people. In Antioch the followers were first called Christians.

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Note"Disciples" means followers, people who learn from a teacher. "Christians" means Christ's people. Christ was a title for Jesus. It means the king God chose. This was the first place anyone used that name.

27During that time some prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.

And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

NoteA prophet is someone who tells people a message from God.

28One of them was named Agabus. He stood up and said, by the Spirit, that a great hunger was coming everywhere. This happened later, when Claudius was the ruler of Rome.

And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

NoteThe King James word "dearth" means a famine. That is when crops fail and there is not enough food. Claudius Caesar ruled the Roman empire. "Caesar" was the title for that ruler, like "king."

29So the followers decided to send help to the believers living in Judea. Each one gave what he was able to give.

Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

Note"According to his ability" means each person gave what he could. "Relief" means help, like food or money.

30That is what they did. They sent the gift to the church leaders. Barnabas and Saul carried it for them.

Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Note"Elders" were the older leaders who guided the group of believers. "By the hands of" means these two men carried the gift there.

1In the city of Antioch, the church had prophets and teachers. They were Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius from Cyrene. There was also Manaen, who grew up with Herod the ruler, and Saul.

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

NoteA church here means a group of Jesus' followers who met together. A prophet is someone who told people what God said. Antioch was a big city far north of Jerusalem. Cyrene was a city in Africa. Herod was a ruler who worked for the Romans.

2One day they were worshiping God and fasting, which means going without food to pray. The Holy Spirit said, "Set apart Barnabas and Saul for me. I have work for them to do."

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

NoteFasting means going without food for a while. People did it to help them pray. The King James says "Holy Ghost." Ghost was an old word for spirit, so this means the Holy Spirit.

3So they fasted and prayed some more. They laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul. Then they sent them off.

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

NotePutting your hands on someone's head was a way of praying for them. It showed the church was sending them out with its blessing.

4The Holy Spirit had sent them out. They went down to the town of Seleucia. From there they sailed to the island of Cyprus.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

NoteSeleucia was the port town where ships left from. Cyprus is a big island out in that sea.

5In the town of Salamis they told God's word in the Jewish meeting places. John came along to help them.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

NoteA Jewish meeting place was called a synagogue. People gathered there to pray and read God's word. The King James calls John their "minister." Here that word just means helper.

6They traveled all across the island to the town of Paphos. There they met a Jewish man named Bar-Jesus. He did magic and pretended to speak for God.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

NoteMagic here means using secret words and spells to make things happen. A false prophet was someone who pretended God gave him messages.

7This man stayed near Sergius Paulus, the Roman ruler of the island. Sergius Paulus was wise. He sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear God's word.

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

NoteRome ruled many lands far away. Rome sent a governor to run each one. The King James calls him "the deputy of the country."

8But the magic worker fought against them. He was also called Elymas, which is what his name means. He tried to keep the ruler from believing.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

9Then Saul, who is also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked straight at Elymas.

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

NoteMany Jewish people then had two names. Saul was his Jewish name. Paul was his Roman name. From here on, this book calls him Paul.

10He said, "You are full of lies and tricks. You are a child of the devil. You are the enemy of everything good. Will you never stop twisting the Lord's straight paths?

And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

NoteCalling someone a child of something meant he acted just like it. It did not mean the devil was really his father.

11Now the Lord's hand is against you. You will be blind for a while and will not see the sun." Right away a fog and darkness came over him. He felt around for someone to lead him by the hand.

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Note"The hand of the Lord" is a way of saying God's power at work.

12When the ruler saw what happened, he believed. He was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

NoteThe King James word "doctrine" is an old word for teaching.