Acts 9:4
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
to
G1909
ἐπὶ
to
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆν
the earth
G1093
γῆν
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
5 of 14
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
φωνὴν
a voice
G5456
φωνὴν
a voice
Strong's:
G5456
Word #:
7 of 14
a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language
λέγουσαν
saying
G3004
λέγουσαν
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 14
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
G846
αὐτῷ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 14
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
Cross References
Zechariah 2:8For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Romans 11:22Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.1 Corinthians 12:12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.Genesis 22:11And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.Genesis 16:8And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.Ephesians 5:30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.1 Corinthians 4:7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?Matthew 25:40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.John 21:15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Historical Context
Occurred on the road to Damascus where Saul traveled with letters authorizing arrest of Christians (v.2). Around 33-34 AD, 3-4 years after Pentecost. Saul had participated in Stephen's stoning (7:58) and was 'breathing out threatenings and slaughter' (v.1). The bright light at midday (brighter than the sun, 26:13) and audible voice were witnessed by traveling companions (v.7).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's identification with his persecuted church ('why persecutest thou me?') inform your understanding of the body of Christ?
- What 'Damascus road' moment has confronted your opposition to God's purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?—The Damascus road christophany (Christ appearance) transformed Christianity's greatest persecutor into its chief apostle. The doubled vocative 'Saul, Saul' conveys personal address and urgency (compare Luke 10:41, 22:31). Why persecutest thou me? (τί με διώκεις;)—Christ's identification with his persecuted church ('me', not 'my followers') establishes the mystical union between head and body. Saul's attack on Christians was, from Christ's perspective, direct assault on himself. This union theology pervades Paul's later writings (Ephesians 5:30, Colossians 1:24).