He stayed some time with the disciples in Damascus. 9 20 Soon he was proclaiming Jesus publicly in the synagogues: 'This', he said, 'is the Son of God.' 9 21 All who heard were astounded. 'Is not this the man', they said, 'who was in Jerusalem trying to destroy those who invoke this name? Did he not come here for the sole purpose of arresting them and taking them to the chief priests?' 9 22 But Saul grew more and more forceful, and silenced the Jews of Damascus with his cogent proofs that Jesus was the Messiah.