“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.”
Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.—Saul's blindness is both literal judgment on his former spiritual blindness and a grace-condition stripping him of self-sufficiency. The detail 'led by the hand' emphasizes utter dependence, fitting for a man about to surrender control. Three days of blindness (like Jonah in the fish, like Jesus in the tomb) mark a liminal period of transformation.
Church Fathers on Acts 9:8
But arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. Acts 9:6 Observe, how He does not immediately add all, but first softens his mind. In the same way He called the disciples also a second time. It shall be told you, etc.: He gives him good hopes, and (intimates) that he shall recover his sight also. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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