Acts 9:23

Many days. Gr. hemerai hikanai, an expression that refers in v. 43 to the time Peter spent in Joppa; in ch. 18:18 (translated, “a good while”) to the time Paul tarried in Corinth after his hearing before Gallio; and in ch. 27:7 (translated, “many days”) to the extended period of Paul’s slow sailing on his voyage to Rome. It appears, therefore, that the expression covers a fairly long but indefinite period of time. In contrast, “certain days” denotes a shorter period (see on ch. 9:19). It is probable, from the way in which “disciples” are here mentioned, that there were many Christians in Damascus, even at this early period. Saul was now received by them, not as an enemy, but as a brother. The work of faithful Ananias is now done, and he appears in no other scenes in the book of Acts.

Called counsel. The authorities were provoked to plot against Christ because of the success of His ministry (see on Matt. 15:21; 19:3; John 5:16). Even so did Saul’s work lead the Jews to murderous opposition. Their evaluation of the new apostle’s witness may be estimated by the drastic steps they took in their attempt to destroy Saul.