Acts 22:7
What does Acts 22:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 22:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 22:7 means
Falling to the ground under the heavenly light, Paul hears a voice addressing him by name—twice, with urgency and compassion—asking why he is persecuting “me.” The question pierces to the root: in attacking believers, Paul is in fact opposing the One to whom they belong. The personal address shows divine knowledge of Paul’s life and a desire to confront him not merely with guilt but with truth. The voice reframes reality: the issue is not Paul’s zeal, but its object. He is sincere yet sincerely wrong, wounding the very Lord he thinks he serves. Conviction begins here, in the Lord’s probing, gracious question.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when I went down on the earth, a voice came to my ears saying to me, Saul, Saul, why are you attacking me so cruelly?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I fell also to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And falling on the ground, I heard a voice saying to me: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Context
This verse follows the sudden light of verse 6 and precedes the identity revelation of verse 8. The narrative intensifies: physical collapse gives way to divine speech. The crowd listening to Paul now hears that his transformation began not with reasoning but with direct encounter. Next, in verse 8, the voice will name itself as Jesus, clarifying that the crucified Nazarene is alive and identifies with His people. This prepares the way for Paul’s surrender and the Lord’s instructions in verse 10.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 2:9
Wherefore I will yet contend with you, saith Jehovah, and with your children’s children will I contend.
- Matthew 27:23
And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.
- Exodus 3:4
And when Jehovah saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
- Matthew 25:45
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me.
- Genesis 3:9
And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou?
- Genesis 16:8
And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, whence camest thou? and whither goest thou? And she said, I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 22
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 22.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Baptism
Baptism is a significant act symbolizing new life in Christ, repentance, and identification with his death, burial, and resurrection.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bible Reading
The Bible encourages us to read, study, and meditate on God’s Word to grow in faith and wisdom.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bitterness
Bitterness is a deep-seated resentment that can poison the heart, but God offers healing and freedom through forgiveness.
What the Bible says about…