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Bible story · Acts 9:1–22

Saul on the Road to Damascus

A bright light stops Saul, and Jesus turns his life around. A 2-minute animated story, told simply for children and families, with each verse from the King James Version.

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1 of 8

A man named Saul was against everyone who followed Jesus. He set off for the city of Damascus with letters allowing him to arrest them.

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.

Acts 9:2 KJV

2 of 8

As he came near Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed all around him.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

Acts 9:3 KJV

3 of 8

Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Acts 9:4 KJV

4 of 8

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. The voice answered, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting.”

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Acts 9:5 KJV

5 of 8

When Saul got up and opened his eyes, he could not see anything. His friends led him by the hand into Damascus.

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

Acts 9:8 KJV

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God sent a follower of Jesus named Ananias to him. Ananias placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, Jesus has sent me so that you can see again.”

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 thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:17 KJV

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At once something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see! He got up and was baptized.

And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Acts 9:18 KJV

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Right away Saul began telling people everywhere that Jesus is the Son of God. Later he became known as Paul.

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Acts 9:20 KJV

The end

Next story: Paul’s Shipwreck

What does this story teach?

  • No one is too far away for Jesus to change.
  • God can turn an enemy into a friend.
  • Ananias was brave and kind to someone others feared.
  • When Jesus changes us, we want to tell others about him.

Questions to talk about

Use these with your children after the story, at bedtime, at the table or in a class.

  1. Why was Saul going to Damascus?
  2. What did Saul see and hear on the road?
  3. Why do you think Ananias was nervous about visiting Saul?
  4. How did Saul’s life change after he met Jesus?

Read the story in the Bible

This retelling uses simple words for young readers. Read the full account in Acts 9:1–22, one verse per screen:

Acts 9

Frequently asked questions

Where is the story of Saul on the road to Damascus in the Bible?

It is in Acts 9:1–22. Paul tells the story again himself in Acts 22 and Acts 26.

Why was Saul’s name changed to Paul?

Saul was his Hebrew name and Paul his Roman name. Acts 13:9 says “Saul, (who also is called Paul).” He used the name Paul as he travelled through the Roman world telling people about Jesus.

How long was Saul blind?

Acts 9:9 says he was without sight for three days and did not eat or drink, until Ananias came and prayed for him.

What is the lesson of Saul’s conversion?

Jesus can change anyone. Saul went from persecuting Christians to becoming the apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament. He later called himself the chief of sinners saved by God’s mercy (1 Timothy 1:15).

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