Season 13 • Episode 3 Acts 9 & 2 Corinthians 11

Holding the Rope

Story Time: Saul's Basket Escape at Damascus

Unsung disciples lower Saul down the Damascus city wall at midnight to preserve his calling.

Theme Verse (Acts 9:25): “but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.”

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✦ Storytime Broadcast Player • S13E3

Saul's Basket Escape at Damascus

Main Characters in S13E3 (2)

S13 Main Cast

Paul the Apostle

The former Pharisee persecutor Saul of Tarsus — lowered over Damascus's wall in a basket by unnamed disciples, missionary across the Roman Empire, and aged prisoner who called a restored John Mark 'very useful to me for ministry.'

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S13 Main Cast

The Disciples Who Held the Rope

The unnamed believers in Damascus who risked execution at midnight to place newly converted Saul of Tarsus inside a woven basket and lower him through an opening in the city wall — saving the life of the author of half the New Testament.

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Storytime Side Characters & Mentioned Figures (2)

S13 Main Cast

Ananias of Damascus

The ordinary disciple in Damascus who overcame his natural fear of the persecutor Saul, walked to Straight Street, laid hands on his former enemy calling him 'Brother Saul,' and baptized the future Apostle to the Gentiles.

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S13 Storytime

The Governor Under King Aretas

The Nabataean official in Damascus under King Aretas IV who stationed armed guards at every city gate day and night to seize Saul of Tarsus — only to be outmaneuvered by a midnight basket and rope.

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Original Greek & Hebrew Root Words in S13E3

Greek • G3101

Mathetes — “Disciples”

A learner, pupil, devoted follower who attaches himself to a master to carry out his mission.

Greek • G5465

Chalao — “Lowered”

To let down, lower from a height, loosen tension gently with control.

Greek • G4711

Spuris — “Basket”

A large, flexible woven wicker basket or hamper used for carrying heavy provisions.