Devine Scripture

Acts 26:14

What does Acts 26:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 26:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 26:14 means

All fell to the ground, and Paul heard a voice in Hebrew calling him by name and asking why he persecutes, adding, “It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.” The Lord confronts Saul’s resistance as futile and self-injuring. The agricultural image pictures an ox resisting the prod that guides it; so Saul’s zeal fought against God’s direction. Persecuting believers is, in fact, persecuting Jesus, revealing His deep union with His people. The personal address shows grace: God does not merely crush; He reasons and redirects. Conviction precedes commission, preparing Saul to receive the revelation of who speaks and what He requires.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when we had all gone down on the earth, a voice came to me, saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why are you attacking me so cruelly? It is hard for you to go against the impulse which is driving you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute? hard for thee against pricks to kick!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the good.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And, when we were all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [it is] hard for thee to kick against goads.

Context

Continuing the Damascus scene, this verse adds sensory and verbal detail. The shared fall to the ground shows the encounter’s power, while the Hebrew language connects to Paul’s Jewish identity and Agrippa’s understanding. Verse 15 will disclose that the speaker is Jesus Himself. Then verses 16–18 will define Saul’s appointed role. The pattern is confrontation, identification, and commission—classic markers of prophetic calling.

v.13at 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.

v.14This passage

v.15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 21:40

    And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying,

  • Acts 22:2

    And when they heard that he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith,

  • Zechariah 2:8

    For thus saith Jehovah of hosts: After glory hath he sent me unto the nations which plundered you; for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

  • Zechariah 12:2

    Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about, and upon Judah also shall it be in the siege against Jerusalem.

  • Proverbs 13:15

    Good understanding giveth favor; But the way of the transgressor is hard.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:22

    Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

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