Why? I do not know.

Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight." Acts 9:8-12

Why did God add this wrinkle into Paul’s conversion experience? I do not know. God certainly could have opened Paul’s blinded eyes without involving Ananias, but God did involve him. Again, I cannot say I know why, but I’ll share a little of what I pray is sanctified speculation.

Maybe it was a way to get the new and fledgling Church to know from Ananias’ firsthand testimony that Saul’s conversion was legitimate.

Maybe it was a way to introduce Saul to the Church he had been persecuting—under different and better circumstances.

Maybe it was a way to humble Saul, having to depend on those he previously persecuted.

Maybe it was one of these, two of these all of these, or none of these. But it was God’s plan and therefore it was good and right—for them, and for we who read of it these many years later!