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 you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Read Chapter 9
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Laying his hands on him. This imposition of hands, made use of on different occasions, was to pray that he might receive his sight, as well as the grace of the Holy Spirit, which God sometimes gave to persons not yet baptized, as to Cornelius. (Acts x. 44.) (Witham)
This imposition of hands, was not the same as that, by which the faithful were confirmed, or ordained ministers, but a ceremony commonly used by the apostles to restore health to the sick. If Saul, in consequence, receives the Holy Spirit, it was an extraordinary miraculous event, which was not an unfrequent circumstance in the infancy of Christianity. The Almighty, who establishes the laws of grace, can dispense with them himself whenever he pleases. (Calmet)
observe this man also, how he utters nothing boastful, but just as Peter said in the case of the lame man, Why look ye on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made him to walk, Acts 3:12 so here also he says, Jesus, Who appeared unto you. (b) Or, (he says it) that the other may believe: and he says not, He that was crucified, the Son of God, He that does wonders: but what? He that appeared unto you: (speaking) from what the other knew: as Christ also added no more, neither said, I am Jesus, the Crucified, the Risen: but what? Whom you persecute. Ananias said not, The persecuted, that he may not seem as it were to rave over him (ἐ πενθουσί& 139visibly) appear, but was seen by the things done. And immediately he added, wishing to draw a veil over the accusation: That you may receive your sight. I came not to reprove the past, but to bestow the gift: that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (a) With hands laid on, he spoke these words. And immediate...
