Return to Damascus

“But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.” (1) After completing his evangelism in Arabia, Saul returned to Damascus. (a) He went to the synagogues and preached even more powerfully than before. (b) He proved that Jesus is the Christ (the promised Messiah). His knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures was very helpful here. (c) He confounded the Jews living in Damascus, meaning he caused them great confusion. (2) Saul’s ministry can be seen as a continuation of Stephen’s work. (a) Stephen also proclaimed the message that “Jesus is the Christ.” (b) Because of this, Stephen met a martyr’s death, and Saul too would be targeted for his life. This was because there were Jews who, when they could not win by reason, resorted to force. “When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were also closely watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death.” (1) A plot to kill Saul was discussed. The details can be found in 2 Corinthians 11:32: “In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me.” (a) The Jews in Damascus conspired with the governor under King Aretas. King Aretas was the king of the Nabatean Kingdom. (b) There would be several plots to assassinate Saul, and this was the first. (2) The plot became known to Saul. The conspirators were watching all the city gates day and night to prevent Saul from escaping.

Escape from Damascus

“But his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.” (1) Saul already had disciples. These were students following Rabbi Saul. At this stage, Saul was already conducting a blessed ministry. (2) The disciples placed Saul in a basket and lowered him outside the city wall through a window. (a) This act is reminiscent of the faith of Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho (Josh. 2:15). (b) Rahab lowered the two Israelite spies out of a window using a rope. A faithful disciple of the Lord will face persecution. However, no one can harm the Lord’s disciple without God’s permission. Let us take this as a lesson for ourselves. Being placed in the midst of trials does not mean being abandoned by God. God is with us.