Acts 9:23

   Acts 9:23

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

a. ASV: And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him:

   

b. YLT: And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him,

 

d. Amplified Bible Classic: After considerable time had elapsed, the Jews conspired to put Saul out of the way by slaying him,

 

1. “And after that many days were fulfilled…”

a. And [Strong: 1161 dé, deh; a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:—also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

 

b. after [Strong: 5613 hōs, hoce; probably adverb of comparative from G3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):—about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, × with all speed.]

 

c. [that] many [Strong: 2425 hikanós, hik-an-os'; from ἵκω híkō ( ἱκάνω hikánō or ἱκνέομαι hiknéomai, akin to G2240) (to arrive); competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character):—able, + content, enough, good, great, large, long (while), many, meet, much, security, sore, sufficient, worthy.]

 

d. days [Strong: 2250 hēméra, hay-mer'-ah; feminine (with G5610 implied) of a derivative of ἧμαι hēmai (to sit; akin to the base of G1476) meaning tame, i.e. gentle; day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context):—age, +alway, (mid-)day (by day, (-ly)), + for ever, judgment, (day) time, while, years.]

 

e. [were] fulfilled [Strong: 4137 plēróō, play-ro'-o; from G4134; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:—accomplish, × after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.]

   

1).  The trip into Arabia should be inserted between Acts 9:22 and Acts 9:23. The phrase  “after many days were fulfilled”, in Acts 9:23 compares with the three years of Saul being in Damascus. The three years clearly takes place AFTER Paul returns back to Damascus. Notice the flow of the Galatians passage.

a). Galatians 1:11-18 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

2). Note also the comparison in 1 Kings where “many days” is “three years.”

a). 1 Kings 2:38, 39 And Shimei said unto the king, The saying is good: as my lord the king hath said, so will thy servant do. And Shemei dwelt in Jerusalem many days.

2:39 And it came to pass at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei ran unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath. And they told Shieei, saying, Behold, they servants be in Gath.

2. “...the Jews took counsel to kill him.”

a. the  [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

 

b. Jews [Strong: 2453 Ioudaîos, ee-oo-dah'-yos; from G2448 (in the sense of G2455 as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:—Jew(-ess), of Judæa.]

 

c. took counsel [Strong: 4823 symbouleúō, soom-bool-yoo'-o; from G4862 and G1011; to give (or take) advice jointly, i.e. recommend, deliberate or determine:—consult, (give, take) counsel (together).]

d. to kill [Strong: 337  anairéō, an-ahee-reh'-o; from G303 and (the active of) G138; to take up, i.e. adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e. abolish, murder:—put to death, kill, slay, take away, take up.]

 

e. him [Strong: 846 autós, ow-tos'; from the particle αὖ aû (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:—her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.] 

   

b. It is clear from this passage that the “gospel” of the New Covenant was given to Saul through “the revelation of Jesus Christ”. It is also clear that this revelation took place in Arabia. Comparing the passages in Galatians 1 with Acts 26 I am fully persuaded that Jesus appeared to Saul while he was in Arabia and gave him the New Covenant, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Look closely at what Jesus said in Acts 26. 

1). Acts 26:16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

a). Jesus said he appeared to Saul in order to make or ordain him a minister and a witness of the things he saw and the things  of which Jesus would appear to him in the future. 

2). Acts 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

a). Jesus said he was going to send Saul to the Gentiles. 

3). Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

a). Verse 18 is literally the content of the New Covenant, salvation to the Gentiles. Exactly what he meant in Galatians 1:16, “that I might preach him among the heathen.”