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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Then the disciples," etc. Of this occurrence he says: "The ethnarch of Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to apprehend me." But observe the Writer here, that he does not tell the story ambitiously, and so as to show what an important person Paul was, saying, "For they stirred up the king," and so forth: but only, "Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall-in a basket:" for they sent him out alone, and none with him. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
"But the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a basket." Notice that Paul is saved not by grace, but by human wisdom, so that you may learn that the virtue of a man shines even without miracles.
Oecumenius
But they plotted to kill him; Saul, however, escaped from the wall in a basket through his disciples, and was preserved as a fugitive. Note that he was already gaining disciples, therefore he was wholly inflamed and filled with preaching, and it made him more eager to come later. For though he longed to depart from here, yet he also loved the salvation of people; therefore he often planned such things, keeping himself for the proclamation, and did not refuse to use human means when the occasion demanded. [2 CLEMENT]
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
He would not have fled from the snares laid for him by the prince, his persecutor, except that he wished to save himself for others who needed him, and that is why he said, "But I am pulled between the two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better; but to abide still in the flesh is needful for you."
Bede
They let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. This kind of escape is still preserved in the Church today when someone, surrounded by the snares of the ancient enemy or the traps of this world, is not saved by his hope and faith. For the wall of Damascus, which is interpreted as drinking blood, is the adversity of the world. King Aretas, who is interpreted as descent, is understood as the devil. The basket, which is usually made of rushes and palm leaves, signifies the conjunction of faith and hope. …
Translation