Acts 22:9
And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
3 of 20
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
indeed
G3303
μὲν
indeed
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
7 of 20
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
φῶς
the light
G5457
φῶς
the light
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
8 of 20
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
ἐθεάσαντο
saw
G2300
ἐθεάσαντο
saw
Strong's:
G2300
Word #:
9 of 20
to look closely at, i.e., (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by extension to visit
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένοντο·
were
G1096
ἐγένοντο·
were
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
12 of 20
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φωνὴν
the voice
G5456
φωνὴν
the voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
15 of 20
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 9:7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.Daniel 10:7And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.Acts 26:13At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
Historical Context
The multiple travelers to Damascus (likely temple guards or synagogue officials) served as unwitting witnesses that something supernatural occurred, even though they couldn't testify to the message's content. Their presence prevented later skeptics from dismissing Paul's conversion as private delusion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the objective reality of the light (visible to all) combined with the subjective message (understood by Paul alone) illustrate both public and personal dimensions of faith?
- When has God given you specific revelation or calling that others around you couldn't fully understand?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
They that were with me saw indeed the light (τὸ μὲν φῶς ἐθεάσαντο)—Paul's companions witnessed objective phenomena: supernatural brightness at noon. This wasn't subjective hallucination but shared sensory experience verifying the event's reality. But they heard not the voice (τὴν δὲ φωνὴν οὐκ ἤκουσαν)—Apparent contradiction with Acts 9:7 ('hearing a voice') resolves via Greek grammar: they heard sound (φωνή as noise, 9:7) but didn't understand the articulate speech (φωνή as intelligible message, 22:9).
God gave Paul exclusive understanding of Christ's words while making the supernatural event undeniable to witnesses. This parallels the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5) where the Father's voice addressed Peter, James, and John specifically. Divine revelation requires both external validation (the light all saw) and internal illumination (the message Paul alone comprehended).