Acts 22:11

And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11) And when I could not see for the glory of that light.—It is again characteristic of a personal recollection that, while the narrative of Acts 9:8 states only the fact of blindness, St. Paul himself connects it with its cause.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

22:1-11 The apostle addressed the enraged multitude, in the customary style of respect and good-will. Paul relates the history of his early life very particularly; he notices that his conversion was wholly the act of God. Condemned sinners are struck blind by the power of darkness, and it is a lasting blindness, like that of the unbelieving Jews. Convinced sinners are struck blind as Paul was, not by darkness, but by light. They are for a time brought to be at a loss within themselves, but it is in order to their being enlightened. A simple relation of the Lord's dealings with us, in bringing us, from opposing, to profess and promote his gospel, when delivered in a right spirit and manner, will sometimes make more impression that laboured speeches, even though it amounts not to the full proof of the truth, such as was shown in the change wrought in the apostle.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See the notes on Acts 9:3-7.

Acts 22:6

As I made my journey - As I was on my journey.

About noon - Acts 26:13, "at mid-day." This circumstance is omitted by Luke in his account in Acts 9:Paul mentions it as being the more remarkable since it occurred at mid-day, to show that he was not deluded by any meteoric or natural appearances, which usually occur at night.

Acts 22:11

The glory of that light - The splendor, the intense brilliancy of the light. See this and its effects explained in the notes on Acts 9:8.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9-11. they that were with me—(See on [2096]Ac 9:7, &c.)

Matthew Poole's Commentary

I could not see for the glory of that light; the excellency of the object overpowering his sight. It was a strange work of God that enabled St. Stephen to see Christ, who is now so glorious, Acts 7:55. And it will be according to God’s wonderful power, when at the resurrection we shall be enabled to look upon Christ in his greatest glory. Behold the goodness and severity of God upon Paul: severity upon him in striking of him with blindness in his body; but goodness indeed to him, in enlightening, converting, and saving of his soul.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when I could not see for the glory of that light,.... Which was above the brightness of the sun, and so dazzled his eyes, that he could not see his way into the city, some of his company took him by the hand, and led him: and

being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came unto Damascus but not with the same view he set out with: he took his journey thither, and pursued it, in order to persecute the saints there; but now he enters into it, to be informed by one of them what he must do for Christ, whom he had persecuted.

Geneva Study Bible

And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 22:11. οὐκ ἐνέβλεπον, cf. Xen., Mem., iii., 11, 10, here absolute, Grimm-Thayer, sub v.: chap. ix., 8, gives the fact of the blindness, here we have its cause as from St. Paul’s personal reminiscence.—δόξης: Heb. כָּבוֹד cf. 1 Corinthians 15:40, 2 Corinthians 3:7, and Luke 9:31.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

11. could not see for the glory of that light] This explanation of the reason of the Apostle’s blindness is only given in this place.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 11. - When I could not see (comp. Acts 9:8, and note). Them that were with me (τῶν συνόντων μοι). Συνεῖναι occurs only here and Luke 9:18, but is used several times by the LXX. It is very common in medical waters for the accompanying symptoms of a disease. Acts 22:11

Vincent's Word Studies

For the glory of that light

The cause of his blindness is not stated in ch. 9.