Understand what a position of importance it was for Saul to be assigned the mission of bringing the followers of Jesus in Damascus back to Jerusalem to be imprisoned and tried for their blasphemous belief.

Damascus was no small city, more populous than Jerusalem, home to many Jews, included along with followers of Jesus, were many "righteous" Jews who  remained after the dispersion.  It would not be an easy task to ferret out the cuprits among so many. 

He was destined for  greatness in the Sanhedrin..he was the chief persecutor of the Jesus cult!  It meant that he was on the "fast track" to positions of leadership in the Sanhedrin..maybe, ultimately, chief Priest, like Ananias!

I'm sure that he was well aware of the importance of this mission as he began his journey to Damascus.

He would not be travelling alone.  He would probably have a phalance of armed guards to help him  bring the idolators to justice, for they would not come willingly.

In my play, ROAD TO BETHANY, he exclaims," I will descend on Damascus with the vengeance of God!" Steeling himself for the journey, this, after seeing the vision of Steven, which served to further his doubts as to the falseness of Jesus believers.

The journey to Damascus, some 136 miles away, would take about six days.  

On that fateful day when he beheld the face of Jesus Christ, it was daylight and yet the brilliance of His face shown brightly, blinding Saul.  His cohorts also witnessed the light, but only Saul saw His face in that brilliance and heard His voice.

You can imagine what confusion must have resulted among the group, because the  mid day sun lighted up the landscape, and for this brilliance from above to overwhelm the brightness of the day, it would have to have been literally stupefying.  To the other witnesses, the sound of Jesus' voice would have probabaly  sounded like the rush and roar of a mighty wind.

Along with His question of persecting Him, Jesus also said , "It hurts you to kick against the goad".

Now a goad is like a cattle prod..a pointed stick used to drive livestock.

Jesus meant that Saul was rebelling against his own conscience, because of the doubt in his mind, brought about by Steven..that nagging thought in his brain that made him doubt that he was doing God's work by persecuting Jesus' followers.

Prostrate and blind, Saul is given the mission to spread the word that he has seen Jesus, that He is indeed the Christ and that Saul is to bring "light" out of darkness to His people, and turn them away from Satan to God.

No small mission.

Saul also is told that he will be visited again by Jesus Christ, foretelling the receipt of the new evangel to come..paulnbob