Acts 22:6
What does Acts 22:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 22:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 22:6 means
At midday, the brightest part of the day, a greater light from heaven suddenly surrounds Paul near Damascus. The timing underscores the supernatural source: this is no ordinary flash or weather event. God breaks in without warning, stopping Paul’s mission and asserting sovereign claim over his life. The overwhelming light anticipates the unveiling to come: the persecutor will soon see the Lord he denies. This moment marks the hinge of Paul’s story—from self-assured zeal to humbled receptivity. The initiative is entirely God’s. Paul is not seeking Jesus; Jesus seeks Paul, turning an intended arrest of believers into the divine arrest of their persecutor.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And it came about that while I was on my journey, coming near to Damascus, about the middle of the day, suddenly I saw a great light from heaven shining round me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and it came to pass, in my going on and coming nigh to Damascus, about noon, suddenly out of the heaven there shone a great light round about me,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it came to pass, as I was going and drawing nigh to Damascus, at mid-day, that suddenly from heaven there shone round about me a great light:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass, as I was journeying and drawing near to Damascus, that, about mid-day, there suddenly shone out of heaven a great light round about me.
Context
Verse 6 introduces the pivotal divine interruption. Having traced his zeal and authority, Paul now recounts how heaven itself intervened. The ensuing verses (7–11) will fill out this encounter: a fall to the ground, a searching question, a startling identification—“I am Jesus of Nazareth”—followed by instructions to go into Damascus blind and dependent. This context shows the conversion as God’s act, not Paul’s achievement, and prepares for the confirming ministry of Ananias in verses 12–16.
v.5As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them also that were there unto Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
v.6This passage
v.7And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 17:2
and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.
- Isaiah 24:23
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Jehovah of hosts will reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders shall be glory.
- Acts 9:3
And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:
- Genesis 15:2
And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?
- Acts 26:12
Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
- Revelation 1:16
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
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