For the English readers it is necessary to identify the subject of the verb said as the Lord.

Throughout this entire account of Paul’s conversion and commission to go to the Gentiles, there is a subtle usage of the word Lord, which to Christians would refer directly to Jesus of Nazareth. To the Jewish hearers of this word, it could, of course, refer to the God of the Old Testament known as “the Lord.” This double usage of Lord has sometimes been called the “divine ambiguity,” but in this passage especially it is most important that this double meaning be carefully preserved rather than introduce directly some specific reference to Jesus, since the use of the name of Jesus would undoubtedly have provoked a strong reaction among those listening to Paul.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .