Acts 9:26

Jerusalem. This flight from Damascus to Jerusalem comes after the three-year period of residence in Arabia (see Gal. 1:17, 18). Thus it would be Saul’s first visit to the capital since the day he set out for Damascus, and he was probably still known to the Christians in Jerusalem only as their determined enemy.

Assayed to join. That is, “attempted [or “tried”] to join.” The verb translated “join” (kollad) is used of close and intimate fellowship, such as that of husband and wife; of brothers; and of friends (cf. on Matt. 19:5; Luke 15:15). Saul was seeking full brotherhood with the disciples. Had Saul gone as a Jew to Alexandria or some other city where Jews were numerous, his first thought would have been to search out his coreligionists. He did so in Jerusalem: he sought to join the Christian community. But the church was suspicious of him. Its members knew Saul only from his terrible persecutions. Might he not still be bent on their destruction? They would be cautious until they were sure of his sincerity. Their ignorance concerning the genuine nature of his conversion can be explained on at least two grounds: (1) The “three year” absence (see on Acts 9:23) gave little basis for reliable news about his attitude toward Christianity; (2) political changes in the city of Damascus may have (see on v. 24) interrupted communications between the Christians there and those in Jerusalem.

Afraid of him. This clause should be introduced by “and” instead of “but.” This makes less sharp the contrast between Saul’s desire to join the brethren and their consequent behavior. The phrase may then read, “and all [the disciples] were fearing him.” They had justifiably feared him in the past, and knowing no reason to change, continued to fear him. They may have wondered whether he was merely disguising his true nature in order to spy on them and provoke further trouble.

Believed not. This shows that someone informed the disciples about Saul’s conversion, but that they were not ready to accept news of such a miracle. They wanted trustworthy evidence of his change before accepting him into their community. Under the circumstances, their caution was natural and even commendable.