Acts 26:13
At 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.
Original Language Analysis
ἡμέρας
At midday
G2250
ἡμέρας
At midday
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
1 of 21
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
κατὰ
in
G2596
κατὰ
in
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
3 of 21
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁδὸν
the way
G3598
ὁδὸν
the way
Strong's:
G3598
Word #:
5 of 21
a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means
εἶδον
I saw
G1492
εἶδον
I saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
6 of 21
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὑπὲρ
above
G5228
ὑπὲρ
above
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
9 of 21
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περιλάμψαν
shining round about
G4034
περιλάμψαν
shining round about
Strong's:
G4034
Word #:
14 of 21
to illuminate all around, i.e., invest with a halo
φῶς
a light
G5457
φῶς
a light
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
16 of 21
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
This occurred circa AD 34-35 on the road to Damascus, approximately 135 miles northeast of Jerusalem. Paul recounts this conversion experience for the third time in Acts, now before King Agrippa II (last of the Herodian dynasty) and the Roman procurator Festus in Caesarea around AD 59-60. The 'midday' timing—when the Mediterranean sun reaches maximum intensity—makes the supernatural light's superior brightness undeniable to Paul's juridical audience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the physical, witnessed nature of Paul's Damascus road encounter refute modern attempts to reduce conversion to purely psychological experience?
- What does the 'above the brightness of the sun' imagery teach about Christ's glorified state and the overwhelming nature of true divine revelation?
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Analysis & Commentary
At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven (φῶς οὐρανόθεν, phōs ouranothen)—Paul emphasizes the supernatural origin of the light that arrested him on the Damascus road. Above the brightness of the sun (ὑπὲρ τὴν λαμπρότητα τοῦ ἡλίου, huper tēn lamprotēta tou hēliou) stresses the overwhelming glory exceeding natural illumination at its zenith. This 'midday' detail unique to Paul's third telling (cf. Acts 9:3, 22:6) heightens the miracle—a light brighter than noon sun. Shining round about me (περιλάμψαν, perilampsan) means 'flashed around,' enveloping Paul and his companions in divine radiance.
This theophany parallels Moses' burning bush and Isaiah's throne vision—God revealing himself in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). The light's superlative brightness demonstrates Christ's deity; Paul later identifies this glory as 'Jesus of Nazareth' (v.15), proving the risen Lord's exaltation to divine majesty. The physical reality—witnessed by traveling companions—refutes naturalistic explanations (sunstroke, hallucination) that attempt to diminish Paul's apostolic encounter with the risen Christ.