{Fell off} (apepesan). Second aorist active indicative
(note--an ending like first aorist) of apopipt(935c), old verb, but
here alone in the N.T. {As if it were scales} (h(9373) lepides).
Chiefly late word (LXX) from lep(935c), to peel, and only here in
the N.T. See Tobit 11:13, "The white film peeled from his eyes"
(elepisth(885c)). Luke does not say that actual "scales" fell from
the eyes of Saul, but that it felt that way to him as his sight
returned, "as if" (h(9373)). Medical writers use the word lepis
for pieces of the skin that fall off (Hobart, _Medical Language
of St. Luke_, p. 39). Luke may have heard Paul tell of this vivid
experience. {Was baptized} (ebaptisth(885c)). First aorist passive
indicative. Apparently by Ananias ( 22:16 ) as a symbol of the
new life in Christ already begun, possibly in the pool in the
house of Judas as today water is plentiful in Damascus or in
Abana or Pharpar (Furneaux), better than all the waters of Israel
according to Naaman ( 2Ki 5:12 ).