Acts 22:10 – “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.'”

Extended Explanation

This verse captures Paul’s immediate response after encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus. Up until this moment, Paul (then called Saul) had been a fierce persecutor of Christians, believing he was defending God’s truth. But when Jesus appeared to him, everything changed.

Paul had just heard Jesus say, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 22:8). Realizing he had been wrong about everything, Paul humbly asked, “What shall I do, Lord?”

This question shows a complete shift in Paul’s heart. The man who once thought he had all the answers is now surrendering to Jesus, acknowledging Him as Lord. Instead of fighting against Jesus, Paul is now ready to obey Him.

Jesus responds by giving Paul a simple but powerful command:

• “Get up.” Paul had fallen to the ground, overwhelmed by Jesus’ presence. Now, Jesus tells him to rise—this is the first step in his new life.
• “Go into Damascus.” Paul had planned to go to Damascus to arrest Christians. Now, he will go there for an entirely different reason—to wait for further instructions from God.
• “There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.” This hints that God already had a plan for Paul’s life, even before Paul knew it. Jesus does not explain everything at once—He requires Paul to trust and obey, one step at a time.

Historical Context

Paul is speaking before a Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, recounting the story of how he met Jesus. His goal is to show them that he did not choose to follow Jesus on a whim—Jesus Himself appeared to him and gave him a mission.

The original event happened around AD 33-36, when Paul was traveling to Damascus with authority from the high priest to arrest Christians (Acts 22:5). However, instead of capturing believers, Paul was captured by Jesus.

At that time, Damascus was an important city where Christianity had begun to spread. The religious leaders in Jerusalem saw this as a threat, which is why Paul was sent there in the first place. But now, instead of silencing Christians, Paul would become one of their greatest messengers.

Theological Implications

1. True conversion begins with surrender – Paul’s first response to Jesus was not an argument, but a question: “What shall I do, Lord?” This shows that salvation is not just about believing in Jesus but also about obeying Him.
2. God reveals His will step by step – Jesus did not tell Paul everything at once. Instead, He told him to go into Damascus and wait. This teaches us that faith requires obedience even when we don’t have all the details.
3. God’s plans are bigger than our own – Paul thought he was on a mission to stop Christianity. Instead, God had already chosen him for something greater—to spread the gospel. This shows that God’s purpose for us is far greater than we can imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Literary Analysis

This verse follows a powerful narrative pattern:

1. Paul is confronted by Jesus (Acts 22:7-8).
2. Paul responds in humility, asking what to do (Acts 22:10).
3. Jesus gives him a command that requires obedience (Acts 22:10).

The phrase “What shall I do, Lord?” is significant because it marks the moment of Paul’s surrender. Instead of commanding others as a Pharisee, he is now submitting to Christ’s authority.

The phrase “There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do” suggests that Paul’s mission was already set by God. Paul thought he was in control of his life, but God had already determined his purpose.

Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 9:6 – The first account of Paul’s conversion, where Jesus tells him to go into the city and wait.
• Acts 26:15-18 – Paul retells this story before King Agrippa, adding that Jesus said He was sending Paul to open the eyes of the Gentiles.
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Paul had to trust and obey, even without knowing the full picture.
• Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” Just as God had a plan for Jeremiah, He had a plan for Paul.
• Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Paul’s life was an example of this truth.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Salvation is about surrendering to Jesus – Paul’s conversion started when he asked, “What shall I do, Lord?” This should be our attitude too—faith is about trusting and following Jesus, not just believing in Him.
2. God leads us one step at a time – Jesus did not reveal Paul’s entire future at once. Instead, He told him to take the next step. This teaches us that God often leads us gradually, requiring faith and obedience along the way.
3. God has a purpose for every believer – Paul’s mission was already assigned before he even knew Jesus. In the same way, God has a specific plan for each of us (Romans 8:28).

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

This verse shows God’s love in action:

• Instead of punishing Paul for his past sins, Jesus gives him a new purpose.
• Instead of leaving Paul in confusion, Jesus gives him clear direction.
• Instead of rejecting Paul for his mistakes, Jesus calls him into His service.

God’s love is not about judgment alone—it is about transformation. He does not just forgive us; He calls us into a new life with Him.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus personally calls people to follow Him – Paul did not come to Jesus on his own; Jesus initiated the encounter. This reflects how Jesus called His disciples (Matthew 4:19).
2. Jesus is Lord, and obedience to Him is essential – Paul instantly recognizes Jesus as “Lord” and submits to Him. This aligns with Philippians 2:10-11, which says every knee will bow before Jesus.
3. Jesus transforms lives – Paul went from persecuting Christians to preaching Christ. This is exactly what Jesus does—He takes broken people and makes them new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Paul’s first response to Jesus was “What shall I do, Lord?” How can we adopt this same attitude in our daily lives?
2. Jesus told Paul to go into Damascus and wait. Has there been a time in your life when you had to trust God without knowing all the details? How did you respond?
3. Paul had his own plans, but God had something greater in store. Have you ever had to surrender your plans for God’s purpose?
4. Jesus already had a mission for Paul before he was saved. What does this teach us about God’s calling for our lives?
5. Paul obeyed Jesus immediately. What is one area in your life where you need to step out in faith and obey God?

Paul’s encounter in Acts 22:10 reminds us that true faith is not just about believing—it is about obeying. When Jesus calls, the best response is always, “What shall I do, Lord?”