The first sentence of this verse seems to fit better at the close of v. 18. For the use of “meat,” meaning “food,” see on Matt. 3:4. Saul’s three-day fast must have left him weak.
Strengthened.
As Calvin says, “He refreshed not his body with meat until his soul had received strength.” Then, both body and soul were made strong for the work that lay before them.
Was Saul.
Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the reading “he was,” referring, of course, to Saul.
Certain days.
Gr. hēmerai tines is also used by Luke in Acts 10:48; 15:36; 16:12; 24:24; 25:13, and in every case indicates a brief period of time. It describes the time Peter stayed with Cornelius, the short time spent by Paul and Barnabas at Antioch, Paul’s short stay at Philippi, the brief time Paul was detained at Caesarea before he was heard by Felix, and a like period between the arrival of Festus and the visit Agrippa made to greet him as the new governor. Here it stands in contrast with the expression “many days” in ch. 9:23, which seems to indicate in the writer’s mind a somewhat longer period. It is probable, from the way in which “disciples” are here mentioned, that there were many Christians in Damascus, even at this early period. Saul was now received by them, not as an enemy, but as a brother. The work of faithful Ananias is now done, and he appears in no other scenes in the book of Acts.