Devine Scripture

Acts 22:9

What does Acts 22:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 22:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 22:9 means

Paul notes that his companions saw the light but did not hear the voice speaking to him. This shows the event’s objectivity—others perceived something extraordinary—while also highlighting its personal nature. God addressed Paul directly, calling him uniquely to account and to service. The detail counters claims that the experience was purely subjective or imagined. The Lord can reveal Himself in ways evident to all and yet speak distinctly to one person. Paul’s testimony is therefore both public and personal: a shared phenomenon with a specific message entrusted to him, forming the foundation of his later witness about Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And those who were with me saw the light, but the voice of him who was talking to me came not to their ears.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they who are with me the light did see, and became afraid, and the voice they heard not of him who is speaking to me--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they that were with me saw indeed the light: but they heard not the voice of him that spoke with me.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But they that were with me beheld the light, [and were filled with fear], but heard not the voice of him that was speaking to me.

Context

After Jesus identifies Himself, verse 9 adds corroborating detail about the companions, setting up the transition to the Lord’s command in verse 10. The flow shows that Paul’s experience was witnessed but not fully understood by others, emphasizing the divine commission entrusted to Paul. Next, he will recount his surrender—asking what he should do—and the instruction to proceed into Damascus, where further guidance awaits, preparing for Ananias’s crucial role in verses 12–16.

v.8And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

v.9This passage

v.10And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 12:29

    The multitude therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it had thundered: others said, An angel hath spoken to him.

  • Daniel 10:7

    And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.

  • Acts 9:7

    And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man.

  • Acts 26:13

    at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me.

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