“And _Saul_ yet breathing out.” This implies that he had been a persecutor before. To prove which, we need only look back to the 7th chapter, where we shall find him so very remarkably active at _Stephen_’s death, that “the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was _Saul_.” He seems, though young, to be in some authority. Perhaps, for his zeal against the christians, he was preferred in the church, and was allowed to sit in the great council or Sanhedrim: For we are told, chapter viii. verse 1. “That _Saul_ was consenting unto his death;” and again, at verse 3. he is brought in as exceeding all in his opposition; for thus speaks the evangelist, “As for _Saul_, he made havock of the church, entring into every house, and haling men and women, committed them to prison.” One would have imagined, that this should have satisfied, at least abated the fury of this young zealot. No: being exceedingly mad against them, as he himself informs _Agrippa_, and having made havock of all in _Jerusalem_, he now is resolved to persecute the disciples of the LORD, even to strange cities; and therefore yet breathing out threatnings. “Breathing out.” The words are very emphatical, and expressive of his bitter enmity. It was as natural to him now to threaten the christians, as it was for him to breathe: he could scarce speak, but it was some threatnings against them. Nay, he not only breathed out threatnings, but slaughters also (and those who threaten, would also slaughter, if it were in their power) against the disciples of the LORD. Insatiable therefore as hell, finding he could not confute or stop the christians by force of argument, he is resolved to do it by force of arms; and therefore went to the high priest (for there never was a persecution yet without a high priest at the head of it) and desired of him letters, issued out of his spiritual court, to the synagogues or ecclesiastical courts at _Damascus_, giving him authority, “that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto _Jerusalem_,” I suppose, there to be arraigned and condemned in the high priest’s court. Observe how he speaks of the christians. _Luke_, who wrote the _Acts_, calls them “disciples of the LORD,” and _Saul_ stiles them “Men and women of this way.” I doubt not but he represented them as a company of _upstart enthusiasts_, that had lately gotten into a new method or way of living; that would not be content with the temple-service, but they must be righteous over-much, and have their private meetings or conventicles, and break bread, as they called it, from house to house, to the great disturbance of the established clergy, and to the utter subversion of all order and decency. I do not hear that the high priest makes any objection: no, he was as willing to grant letters, as _Saul_ was to ask them; and wonderfully pleased within himself, to find he had such an active zealot to employ against the christians.
Well then, a judicial process is immediately issued out, with the high priest’s seal affixed to it. And now methinks I see the young persecutor finely equipped, and pleasing himself with thoughts, how triumphantly he should ride back with the “men and women of this way,” dragging them after him to _Jerusalem_.
What a condition may we imagine the poor disciples at _Damascus_ were in at this time! No doubt they had heard of _Saul_’s imprisoning and making havock of the saints at _Jerusalem_, and we may well suppose they were apprised of his design against them. I am persuaded this was a growing, because a trying time with these dear people. O how did they wrestle with GOD in prayer, beseeching him either to deliver them from, or give them grace sufficient to enable them to bear up under, the fury of their persecutors? The high priest doubtless with the rest of his reverend brethren, flattered themselves, that they should now put an effectual stop to this growing heresy, and waited with impatience for _Saul_’s return.