Acts 22:7

Translations

Modern

I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

Traditional

And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Literal

…and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

Latin

…et decidens in terram, audivi vocem dicentem mihi: Saule, Saule, quid me persequeris?

Original

Greek

English

I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

Notes

Acts 22:1–21

Paul gives his most complete defense of his life and faith before his own people in Jerusalem. This speech shows his flexibility as a missionary, just as his message to the Greek philosophers in Athens also did (17:22–31; see 1 Corinthians 9:20–23).

He begins by showing his close connection with his audience. He explains his Jewish background and his training under Gamaliel the Elder (a respected Jewish teacher). He also describes his strong desire to honor God, a desire they shared (Acts 22:1–3).

Paul then recounts how he once persecuted Christians (22:4–5). He tells about seeing Jesus on the road to Damascus (22:6–10). and explains his conversion (his turning to follow Jesus; 22:11–16).

He ends by describing a vision in the temple, where the Lord spoke to him. The Lord told him that many Jews would reject the message and that he should go to the Gentiles (22:17–21).

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Persecution Visions

Events

Paul gives his testimonyc. AD 54

Related verses

Jeremiah 2:9
Therefore, I will contend with you again, declares the LORD, and I will bring a case against your children’s children.
Matthew 25:45
Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’
1 Timothy 1:13
I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
1 Samuel 3:10
Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”
Genesis 3:9
But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?”
Jeremiah 2:5
This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves.
Exodus 3:4
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.
Genesis 16:8
“Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied.
Genesis 22:1
Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered.
Genesis 22:11
Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.
Isaiah 43:22–26
But you have not called on Me, O Jacob, because you have grown weary of Me, O Israel.
Matthew 27:23
“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”

Parallels

Acts 9:1–19 Acts 26:1–23

People

Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles

Glossary

Apostle, Apostleship Book of the Acts of the Apostles Church Damascus Judaizers Light Paul the Apostle Resurrection Shekinah

Topics

Damascus: Paul's Experiences In Paul: His Defense Paul: His Vision and Conversion

Acts 22:7

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Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Parallels?