Acts 9 · Verse 18

Acts 9:18

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Acts 9:18, King James Version

Acts 9:18 in other translations

BSBAt that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized,
WEBImmediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.
ASVAnd straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized;
YLTAnd immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, he saw again also presently, and having risen, was baptized,
DARBYAnd straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he saw, and rising up was baptised;
BBEAnd straight away it seemed as if a veil was taken from his eyes, and he was able to see; and he got up, and had baptism;
WebsterAnd immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

What does Acts 9:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 9:17-19

17-19. Ananias went his way, and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul--How beautifully childlike is the obedience of Ananias to "the heavenly vision!" the Lord, even Jesus--This clearly shows in what sense the term "Lord" is used in this book. It is Jesus that is meant, as almost invariably in the Epistles also. who appeared unto thee in the way--This knowledge by an inhabitant of Damascus of what had…

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Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. As it had been scales. ωσειλεπιδες The word ωσει, "as it had been," is designed to qualify the following word. It is not said that scales literally fell from his eyes; but that an effect followed as if scales had been suddenly taken off. Evidently the whole expression is designed to mean no more than this. The effect was such as would take place if some dark, impervious substance had been placed before the eyes, and had been suddenly removed. The cure was as sudden, the sight was as immediate, as if such an interposing substance had been suddenly removed. This is all that the expression fairly implies, and this is all that the nature of the case demands. As the blindness had been caused by the natural effect of the light, probably on the optic nerve, Acts 9:8, Acts 9:9, it is manifest that no literal removing of scales would restore the vision. We are therefore to lay aside the idea of literal scales falling to the earth; no such thing is affirmed, and no such thing would have met the case. The word translated scales is used nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, the small crust or layer which composes a part of the covering of a fish, and also any thin layer or leaf exfoliated or separated; as scales of iron, bone, or a piece of bark, etc.--Webster. An effect similar to this is described in Tobit xi. 8, 13. It is evident that there was a miracle in the healing of Saul. The blindness was the natural effect of the light. The cure was by miraculous power. This is evident,

(1.) because there were no means used that would naturally restore the sight. It may be remarked here, that gutta serena has been regarded by physicians as one of the most incurable of diseases. Few cases are restored; and few remedies are efficacious. (See Edin. Encyc. Art. Surgery, on Amaurosis.)

(2.) Ananias was sent for this very purpose to heal him, Acts 9:17.

(3.) The immediate effect shows that this was miraculous. Had it been a slow recovery, it might have been doubtful; but here it was instantaneous, and thus put beyond a question that it was a miracle.

And was baptized. In this he followed the example of all the early converts to Christianity. They were baptized immediately. See Acts 2:41, 8:12,36-39.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 There fell from his eyes as it had been scales - This was real: he had been so dazzled with the brightness of the light that we may suppose the globe of the eye, and particularly the cornea, had suffered considerable injury. The structure of the cornea was doubtless much disturbed, and the whole of that humor would be rendered opaque, and incapable of permitting the rays of light to pass through the different humours to the retina, where all the images of things transmitted through the lenses, or humours, are distinctly painted. In the miraculous cure the membrane was restored to its primitive state, and the opaque matter separated from the cornea, in the form of thin laminae or scales. This being done, the light would have as free a passage as formerly, and the result would be distinct vision. And arose, and was baptized - That he was baptized by Ananias there is every reason to believe; as he appears to have been the chief Christian at Damascus. As baptism implied, in an adult, the public profession of that faith into which he was baptized, this baptism of Saul proved, at once, his own sincerity, and the deep and thorough conviction he had of the truth of Christianity.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 9:10-22

A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did 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…

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Acts 9:18 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
εὐθέωςeutheōsimmediatelyG2112
ἀπέπεσανapepesanfellG634
αὐτοῦautouof himG846
ἀπὸapofromG575
τῶνtōntheG3588
ὀφθαλμῶνophthalmōneyesG3788
ὡςhōsasG5613
λεπίδες,lepidesscales,G3013
ἀνέβλεψένaneblepsenhe regained his sightG308
τεtealsoG5037
παραχρῆμαparachrēmaimmediatelyG3916
καὶkaiAndG2532
ἀναστὰςanastashaving risen upG450
ἐβαπτίσθη,ebaptisthēhe was baptized,G907

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 9:18

  • 2 Corinthians 3:14

    But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

  • Acts 22:16

    And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

  • Acts 2:38

    Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:6

    For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

  • Acts 13:37-38

    But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

  • Acts 13:12-13

    Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

  • Acts 2:41

    Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
immediately.
2Co 3:14; 4:6
and was.
2:38,41; 13:12,13,37,38; 22:16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 9:17

    And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

  • Acts 9:18

    And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

  • Acts 9:19

    And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

Read all of Acts 9

Acts 9:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y luego le cayeron de los ojos como escamas, y recibió al punto la vista: y levantándose, fué bautizado.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et aussitôt il tomba de ses yeux comme des écailles; et il recouvra la vue; et se levant, il fut baptisé;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und alsbald fiel es wie Schuppen von seinen Augen, und er wurde sehend und stand auf und wurde getauft.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et confestim ceciderunt ab oculis ejus tamquam squamæ, et visum recepit: et surgens baptizatus est.