Acts 22:8
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπεκρίθην
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθην
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
3 of 18
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
Τίς
Who
G5101
Τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
4 of 18
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
κύριε
Lord
G2962
κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
6 of 18
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
πρός
unto
G4314
πρός
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
9 of 18
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
13 of 18
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ναζωραῖος
of Nazareth
G3480
Ναζωραῖος
of Nazareth
Strong's:
G3480
Word #:
15 of 18
a nazoraean, i.e., inhabitant of nazareth; by extension, a christian
Historical Context
This encounter resolved Paul's central theological crisis: How could the crucified Jesus be Messiah when Deuteronomy 21:23 pronounced God's curse on anyone hanged on a tree? The resurrection validated Jesus's messianic claims and reinterpreted the curse—Jesus bore God's curse for sinners (Galatians 3:13), making crucifixion the means of salvation, not disqualification from messiahship.
Questions for Reflection
- What cherished beliefs or certainties has Christ overturned in your life through direct encounter?
- How does Jesus's self-identification ('Jesus of Nazareth') affirm that Christianity stands or falls on historical events, not merely ideas?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Who art thou, Lord? (Τίς εἶ κύριε)—Paul's 'Lord' (κύριε) could mean mere 'sir' or acknowledge deity; the context clarifies. He recognizes supernatural authority but doesn't yet know the speaker's identity. I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest—This self-identification shatters Paul's theological framework. The crucified heretic he thought justly executed now speaks from heaven with divine authority.
'Jesus of Nazareth' emphasizes the historical person Paul sought to eradicate. The phrase 'whom thou persecutest' (present tense, ὃν σὺ διώκεις) reveals Jesus lives and actively suffers with his church. This wasn't past-tense ('whom you persecuted') but ongoing reality. The resurrection wasn't metaphor but accomplished fact—the One Paul considered cursed (Deuteronomy 21:23, Galatians 3:13) was vindicated Messiah.