Acts 26:13
What does Acts 26:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 26:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 26:13 means
At midday, when the sun is brightest, Paul saw a heavenly light surpassing the sun, enveloping him and his companions. The timing removes natural explanations: this was no twilight haze. The overwhelming brightness signifies divine glory and revelation. It was a shared phenomenon—others saw the light—underscoring objective reality. God broke into Paul’s course with unmistakable power. The light prepares for the voice of the risen Jesus. As in Scripture, light symbolizes revelation and salvation; here it heralds the One who is the light to both Jews and Gentiles. The persecutor is stopped by sovereign brightness so he can become a witness to that light.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000at 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901at 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In the middle of the day, on the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining round me and those who were journeying with me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862at mid-day, I saw in the way, O king, out of heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me a light--and those going on with me;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that were in company with me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890at mid-day, on the way, I saw, O king, a light above the brightness of the sun, shining from heaven round about me and those who were journeying with me.
Context
This verse begins the description of the supernatural encounter (vv.13–15). The midday brilliance establishes the event’s divine origin. Next (v.14) Paul and his companions fall, and a Hebrew voice confronts him; in v.15 Jesus identifies Himself. These details authenticate Paul’s testimony to Agrippa: it was not private mysticism but a public, overwhelming intervention. The ensuing commission (vv.16–18) will explain the meaning of this revelation for Paul’s mission.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 30:26
Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that Jehovah bindeth up the hurt of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
- Acts 22:6
And 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- Revelation 21:23
And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb.
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