(9:1–9) This paragraph describes Saul’s encounter with the risen Jesus on the road toward Damascus on his way to persecute believers: a bright light engulfs Saul (and his comrades), he falls down, and the risen Jesus identifies himself as the one whom Saul is persecuting (9:1–5). Then the risen Jesus instructs the blind Saul and his muted traveling companions to enter Damascus (9:6–9). 9:1 This verse begins with the word “meanwhile,” which designates that at the same time that dispersed