Acts 22:14

The God of our fathers. See on ch. 7:32. Neither Stephen nor Ananias had the least thought that in becoming Christians they had forsaken the God of their fathers. Jewish Christians apparently had no thought of abandoning Judaism. In fact, they considered themselves the most devout of the brethren. Like Paul, they ardently longed for their blind fellow countrymen to see Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah (see Rom. 9:1–3; 10:1–3).

Chosen thee. Or, “appointed thee” (see on ch. 9:15).

Know his will. Prior to conversion Paul had been ignorant of God’s will. As a Pharisee he had thought that he knew it well and was doing it conscientiously (see chs. 23:1; 24:14). There is an intimate relationship between knowing God’s will and doing it (see on Matt. 7:21–27; John 7:17; 13:17). Again and again Paul refers to the will of God (see 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Col. 1:1).

Just One. Or, “righteous one,” that is, Jesus (cf. Acts 3:14; 7:52; 1 John 2:1). The Twelve had both seen the Lord and associated with Him day after day (1 John 1:1, 3). Paul, now the recipient of a special call to apostleship, was also privileged to see his Lord (see Acts 22:17–21; 1 Cor. 15:3–9; 2 Cor. 12:1–5).

The voice. Probably a reference to the vision near Damascus; possibly also to the special instruction he received from the Lord at a later time (2 Cor. 12:1–5; Gal. 1:11, 12).