Did Saul Become Paul
After His Encounter
With Jesus? Why?
17 February 2022
One of the common questions readers of the Bible often ask is whether Saul became Paul after his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. The Book of Acts seems to suggest a sudden name change, which can be confusing—especially for those unfamiliar with biblical history.
In The Acts of the Apostles, the man who would become the great missionary of the early Church is initially referred to as Saul. Then, seemingly without warning, it states:
Acts 13:9 - “But Saul, also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit…”
From that point onward, the name Paul is used consistently. So what happened? Did Saul change his name after his conversion? And if so, why?
Did Paul Change His Name?
At first glance, it may appear that Saul changed his name to Paul as a result of his conversion—perhaps to distance himself from his violent past. But this idea does not align with Paul’s own writings.
Far from hiding his former life, Paul spoke openly about his persecution of Christians and his dramatic transformation, as seen in:
- Acts 22:3–16
- Acts 26:9–18
Paul had no desire to erase his past. Instead, he used it to glorify God and testify to the power of grace.
Saul and Paul: Two Names, One Man
The explanation lies in the cultural customs of the time. Paul was both a Jew and a Roman citizen.
It was common for Jews living in the Roman world to have two names:
- A Jewish name used within the Jewish community
- A Roman or Greek name used in public and civic life
Saul was Paul’s Jewish name—named after Israel’s first king. Paul was his Roman name—the name by which he was known in the wider Greco-Roman world.
He did not change his name after meeting Jesus. He simply continued using the name most people already knew him by.
Why Does Acts Initially Use the Name Saul?
Paul is first introduced in Acts 7 during the martyrdom of Stephen, where he is referred to as Saul. There are only a few moments in Scripture when Paul is explicitly addressed by this name:
-
When Jesus confronts him on the road to Damascus:
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” - (Acts 9:4) -
When Jesus speaks to Ananias:
“Look for a man of Tarsus named Saul…” - (Acts 9:11) -
When Ananias greets him:
“Brother Saul…” - (Acts 9:17)
In each case, it is Jesus—or someone acting at Jesus’ direction—who uses Paul’s Jewish name.
Why Did Jesus Call Him Saul?
Jesus addressed Paul by his Jewish name for a deeply personal reason. Paul was persecuting Christians out of zeal for his Jewish faith. Yet, in doing so, he was acting contrary to the true heart of that faith.
By calling him Saul, Jesus was reminding him of his identity, his heritage, and the faith he believed he was defending. It was as though Jesus was saying:
“I know who you are. I know where you come from. I know even the parts of you that others do not.”
This moment forced Paul to confront the truth—not just about Jesus, but about himself.
Why Does Luke Switch to “Paul” Later in Acts?
Luke was writing the Book of Acts as a letter to someone he calls Theophilus. By the time Luke was writing, Paul had become widely known throughout the Roman world as a missionary and preacher.
Most people knew him as Paul, not Saul. To avoid confusion, Luke clarifies in Acts 13:9 that Saul and Paul are the same person and then continues using the name by which he was best known.
Why Did Paul Call Himself Paul?
Paul referred to himself by his Roman name because that was how people recognized him. Using the name Saul would have caused unnecessary confusion and distracted from his mission.
Importantly, Paul never rejected his Jewish identity. He remained deeply aware of his roots, but he chose the name that best served his calling.
Conclusion
Saul did not become Paul after his encounter with Jesus. He was Saul and Paul both before and after his conversion. What changed was not his name, but his heart and direction.
This offers a lesson for us as well. We need not hide our past or be ashamed of who we were. Instead, we can glorify God by sharing how our encounter with Him has transformed our lives.
Just as Jesus knew Paul’s Jewish name, Jesus knows our innermost secrets too. When we are tempted to judge others, we should remember that we ourselves are fully known by Christ—and loved nonetheless.
References
- Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. © 1989 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
- Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons – Paulus of Tarsus
- Photo License: Creative Commons BY-SA 2.0
