# There was a man named Saul who did not believe in Jesus

This introduces Saul as a new character in the story. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-participants]])

# When he was a young man, he guarded the robes of the men who killed Stephen

This is background information about Saul. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

# guarded the robes of the men who killed Stephen

See [45:06](45/06).

# from house to house

This could mean ‘into many houses.’

# to arrest both men and women

This refers to men and women who believed in Jesus. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# Damascus

Damascus is now the capital of the country of Syria. During Saul’s time, it was a city belonging to the Roman Empire. Most of the people there were not Jewish, but there were some Jews and also some followers of Jesus living there.

# to bring them back to Jerusalem

Paul’s purpose can be made clear by adding “so that the Jewish leaders could judge and punish them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])