But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
their.
Acts 9:29,30 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him…
Acts 14:5,6 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, …
Acts 17:10-15 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews…
And they.
Psalm 21:11 For they intended evil against thee: they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform.
Psalm 37:32,33 The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him…
Day and night they watched the city gates
The city gates of Damascus were strategic locations for controlling entry and exit, often heavily guarded and monitored. In ancient cities, gates were not only for defense but also served as places of commerce and legal transactions. The constant surveillance "day and night" indicates the seriousness of the threat against Saul and the determination of his adversaries. This vigilance mirrors the persistent opposition faced by early Christians, as seen in other parts of Acts where apostles were imprisoned and persecuted (Acts 5:18, Acts 12:4).
in order to kill him.
The intent to kill Saul underscores the extreme measures the Jewish leaders were willing to take to stop the spread of Christianity. This reflects the broader theme of martyrdom and persecution in the early church, as seen in the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:54-60). Saul's own later writings, such as 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, recount the numerous dangers and persecutions he faced for the sake of the Gospel. This phrase also foreshadows Saul's future as a key figure in spreading Christianity, despite the constant threats to his life, illustrating the transformative power of Christ and the cost of discipleship.
“but Saul learned of their plot.” (Acts 9:24a)
• Fresh from his dramatic conversion (Acts 9:1-19), Saul is already preaching Christ with growing boldness (Acts 9:20-22). The conspirators are the same religious circle that once applauded his persecution of believers (Acts 26:9-11), illustrating the swift reversal produced by the gospel.
• God sovereignly exposes the scheme, just as He revealed danger to Joseph (Matthew 2:13) and to Paul later in Corinth (Acts 18:9-10). Saints can trust that no hidden plan escapes the Lord’s sight (Psalm 121:4; Job 34:21).
• Saul’s awareness underscores responsible vigilance. He does not presume on divine protection; he acts prudently, a pattern echoed in 2 Corinthians 11:32-33 where he recounts the same escape.
“Day and night they watched the city gates …” (Acts 9:24b)
• The gates of Damascus were the only legal exit points. Continuous surveillance shows the intensity of hatred—mirroring the around-the-clock guard on Peter in Acts 12:4.
• Such relentless opposition fulfils Jesus’ warning that disciples would face plotting enemies (John 15:18-20).
• This watch also highlights God’s timing; He permits opposition to grow so that His deliverance becomes unmistakable (Exodus 14:3-4; Daniel 6:16-17).
“… in order to kill him.” (Acts 9:24c)
• The intent is murder, the very sin Saul once breathed out against believers (Acts 9:1-2). His former weapons are now aimed at him—proof of true conversion (Galatians 6:7; 2 Timothy 3:12).
• Behind the human plot stands the ancient adversary who tries to silence the gospel (Revelation 12:17). Yet every attempt only propels the message farther; Saul’s escape leads to ministry in Jerusalem and beyond (Acts 9:25-30).
• God’s promise of preservation until one’s mission is complete rings true (Acts 23:11; Philippians 1:6).
Acts 9:24 reveals the clash between newly redeemed Saul and the hostile forces he once served. God uncovers the plot, enemies mount constant surveillance, and the aim is murder, yet the Lord overrules. The verse assures believers that while opposition may be relentless, divine protection and purpose are even more certain, propelling the gospel forward through every threat.
(24) They watched the gates day and night to kill him.--A somewhat fuller account of this episode in the Apostle's life is given by him in 2Corinthians 11:32. There we read that the governor--literally, ethnarch--of the city, under Aretas, King of Arabia Petraea, with Petra as his capital, the father of the wife whom Herod Antipas divorced, in order that he might marry Herodias, took an active part in the plot against Paul. On the manner in which Aretas had gained possession of a city which was properly attached to the Roman province of Syria, see Note on Acts 9:2. It is noticeable that there are coins of Damascus bearing the names of Augustus and Tiberius, and again of Nero and his successors, but none of those of Caligula and Claudius, who succeeded Tiberius. Caligula, on his accession, reversed the policy of Tiberius, who had been a friend and supporter of Antipas against Aretas, and it is probable that, as in other instances, he created a new principality, or ethnarchy, in favour of Aretas, to whose predecessors Damascus had belonged (Jos. Ant. xiii. 15, ? 2). The ethnarch apparently wished to court the favour of the large Jewish population, and, looking on St. Paul as a disturber of the public peace, took measures for his arrest and condemnation. Troops were stationed at each gate of the city in order to prevent his escape.Verse 24. - Their plot (ἐπιβουλή) became known for their laying await was known, A.V.; to Saul for of Saul, A.V.; the gates also for the gates, A.V. and T.R.; that they might for to, A.V.; a colon instead of full point at end of verse.