Why did Saul visit the high priest in Acts 9?
Saul went to the high priest to obtain official letters authorizing him to travel to Damascus, arrest Jews who had embraced the Gospel of the Kingdom, and bring them bound back to Jerusalem. He sought authority to persecute these believers, both men and women, in the synagogues.
Les explains that Saul had not stopped since chapter 7, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, and he went to the high priest. In verse 2, he desired letters to Damascus, wanting official orders to go to Damascus and arrest and bring back to Jerusalem these Jews who had embraced the Gospel that Jesus was the Christ. He wanted letters to the synagogues of Damascus so that if he found any of this way, he could bring them bound to Jerusalem, whether men or women. Les points out that he was after Jews, not Gentiles, and that these disciples were simply believers who had embraced the Gospel of the Kingdom.
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
More Questions
Why did Saul ask the high priest for letters to Damascus?
Saul requested letters from the high priest so that he could go to Damascus, arrest Jewish believers in Jesus, and bring them back to Jerusalem.
What did Saul's letters from the high priest authorize him to do to believers in Damascus?
Saul's letters authorized him to arrest any of 'this way' in the Damascus synagogues who were following Christ as Messiah — whether men or women — and bring them bound back to Jerusalem.