SEV Biblia, Chapter 9:21
Y todos los que le oían estaban atnitos, y decían: ¿No es ste el que asolaba en Jerusaln a los que invocaban este Nombre, y a eso vino ac, para llevarlos presos a los príncipes de los sacerdotes?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 9:21
Verse 21. Is not this he that destroyed them] o porqhsav. The verb porqein has three acceptations in the Greek writers: 1. To treat one as an enemy, to spoil him of his goods. 2. To lead away captive, to imprison. 3. To slay. Paul was properly porqwn, a destroyer, in all these senses. 1. He acted as the most determined enemy of the Christians: Being exceedingly mad against them, he persecuted them to strange cities, chap. xxvi. 11. 2. He shut up many of the saints in prison, chap. viii. 3; ix. 14; xxvi. 10. 3. He persecuted them unto death-gave his voice against them that they might be destroyed, and was a principal instrument in the martyrdom of Stephen.
He breathed threatenings and slaughter. See chap. vii. 58; viii. 1; ix. 1; xxvi. 10, 11.
Therefore these three meanings of the original word are all exemplified in the conduct of Saul.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. But all that heard him were amazed , etc.] Not the disciples that believed in Christ, but the unbelievers, as appears from their words: and said, is not this he that destroyed them that called on this name in Jerusalem ? they do not express the name of Christ, out of malice and ill will; which shows who they were that said these words, and were astonished to hear Saul preaching in this name, and proving him to be the Son of God, and the true Messiah; when it was but a little while ago he consented to the death of Stephen, made havoc of the church, wasted and destroyed it as much as was in his power, and persecuted unto death such as called upon the name of Christ, or were called by his name, he could find in Jerusalem: nor did this satisfy him, for it follows, and came hither , that is, to Damascus, for that intent, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests : whom he should find professing or invocating the name of Christ, or bearing it; now to see and hear him preach this same name, was surprising to them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 10-22 - A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's fee with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never di Christ leave any who were brought to that. Behold, the proud Pharisee the unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessing of free salvation! Now he began to pray after another manner than he had done; before, he said his prayers, now, he prayed them Regenerating grace sets people on praying; you may as well find living man without breath, as a living Christian without prayer. Ye even eminent disciples, like Ananias, sometimes stagger at the command of the Lord. But it is the Lord's glory to surpass our scant expectations, and show that those are vessels of his mercy whom we ar apt to consider as objects of his vengeance. The teaching of the Holy Spirit takes away the scales of ignorance and pride from the understanding; then the sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavour to recommend the anointed Saviour, the Son of God, to his forme companions.
Greek Textus Receptus
εξισταντο 1839 5710 V-IMI-3P δε 1161 CONJ παντες 3956 A-NPM οι 3588 T-NPM ακουοντες 191 5723 V-PAP-NPM και 2532 CONJ ελεγον 3004 5707 V-IAI-3P ουχ 3756 PRT-N ουτος 3778 D-NSM εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S ο 3588 T-NSM πορθησας 4199 5660 V-AAP-NSM εν 1722 PREP ιερουσαλημ 2419 N-PRI τους 3588 T-APM επικαλουμενους 1941 5734 V-PMP-APM το 3588 T-ASN ονομα 3686 N-ASN τουτο 5124 D-ASN και 2532 CONJ ωδε 5602 ADV εις 1519 PREP τουτο 5124 D-ASN εληλυθει 2064 5715 V-LAI-3S ινα 2443 CONJ δεδεμενους 1210 5772 V-RPP-APM αυτους 846 P-APM αγαγη 71 5632 V-2AAS-3S επι 1909 PREP τους 3588 T-APM αρχιερεις 749 N-APM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
21. Destroyed (porqhsav). Rather, laid waste, made havoc of, as Rev. Compare ch. viii. 3. Paul uses the same word in Gal. i. 13.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
9:21 {Were amazed} (existanto). Imperfect middle indicative of existemi. They continued to stand out of themselves in astonishment at this violent reversal in Saul the persecutor. {Made havock} (porqesas). First aorist active participle of porqew, to lay waste, an old verb, but only here and #Ga 1:13,23 by Paul, an interesting coincidence. It is the old proverb about Saul among the prophets (#1Sa 10:12) revived with a new meaning (Furneaux). {Had come} (eleluqei). Past perfect indicative active. {Might bring} (agagei). Second aorist (effective) active subjunctive of ag" with hina (purpose). {Bound} (dedemenous). Perfect passive participle of dew. Interesting tenses.
