Acts 9:3
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Original Language Analysis
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πορεύεσθαι
journeyed
G4198
πορεύεσθαι
journeyed
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
4 of 17
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ἐγένετο
he came
G1096
ἐγένετο
he came
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
5 of 17
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
αὐτὸν
as he
G846
αὐτὸν
as he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περιήστραψεν
there shined round about
G4015
περιήστραψεν
there shined round about
Strong's:
G4015
Word #:
12 of 17
to flash all around, i.e., envelop in light
αὐτὸν
as he
G846
αὐτὸν
as he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 17
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
φῶς
a light
G5457
φῶς
a light
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
14 of 17
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
15 of 17
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
Cross References
Revelation 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.1 Corinthians 15:8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.Acts 22:6And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.1 Timothy 6:16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.Acts 9:17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Historical Context
This occurred on the road to Damascus circa AD 34-35, becoming the watershed moment in Saul's life and Christian history. Paul later counted this as his apostolic commissioning, seeing the risen Christ as the other apostles had (1 Corinthians 9:1, 15:8).
Questions for Reflection
- What does Christ's initiative in confronting Saul teach about sovereign grace?
- How does this sudden divine intervention demonstrate that salvation is God's work, not man's?
- Why was it necessary for Paul to see the risen Christ to become an apostle?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As Saul journeyed to Damascus, 'suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven' - divine intervention at the exact moment of God's choosing. The light's supernatural origin and intensity (brighter than noonday sun, Acts 26:13) revealed God's glory. Christ's initiative in confronting Saul demonstrates sovereign grace - the persecutor didn't seek Christ, Christ sought him. Reformed theology emphasizes irresistible grace: when God calls effectually, the sinner cannot refuse. This light represented the glory of the risen, ascended Christ appearing to His chosen apostle.