Acts 22:11
And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
when
G5613
ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 18
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἐνέβλεπον
I could
G1689
ἐνέβλεπον
I could
Strong's:
G1689
Word #:
4 of 18
to look on, i.e., (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly
ἀπὸ
for
G575
ἀπὸ
for
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
5 of 18
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δόξης
the glory
G1391
δόξης
the glory
Strong's:
G1391
Word #:
7 of 18
glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literal or figurative, objective or subjective)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φωτὸς
light
G5457
φωτὸς
light
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
9 of 18
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
ἐκείνου
of that
G1565
ἐκείνου
of that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
10 of 18
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
χειραγωγούμενος
being led by the hand
G5496
χειραγωγούμενος
being led by the hand
Strong's:
G5496
Word #:
11 of 18
to be a hand-leader, i.e., to guide (a blind person)
ὑπὸ
of
G5259
ὑπὸ
of
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
12 of 18
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συνόντων
them that were
G4895
συνόντων
them that were
Strong's:
G4895
Word #:
14 of 18
to be in company with, i.e., present at the time
ἦλθον
I came
G2064
ἦλθον
I came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
16 of 18
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
Saul traveled to Damascus with official letters from the high priest authorizing persecution of believers (Acts 9:1-2). His traveling companions witnessed the light and heard the sound but didn't see Jesus or understand the words (Acts 22:9), making them witnesses to the supernatural event.
Questions for Reflection
- How might God use 'blindness'—circumstances that strip away self-sufficiency—to bring spiritual sight?
- What does Paul's need to be 'led by the hand' reveal about the nature of genuine conversion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I could not see for the glory of that light—Physical blindness symbolized Saul's spiritual blindness to Christ's messiahship. The Greek 'doxa' (δόξα, glory) connects this light to the Shekinah glory of God. Being led by the hand (χειραγωγούμενος) reverses Saul's authoritative arrival with arrest warrants—the persecutor becomes helpless, dependent. The three-day blindness (Acts 9:9) parallels Jonah's three days, Jesus' death and resurrection, and creates the darkness necessary for spiritual sight. Paul's conversion required the humiliation of the self-righteous Pharisee.