Devine Scripture

Acts 26:15

What does Acts 26:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 26:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 26:15 means

When Paul asks, “Who art thou, Lord?” the answer is decisive: “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” The risen Jesus identifies Himself with His church—harm to Christians is harm to Christ. This revelation shatters Paul’s assumptions. Jesus of Nazareth, whom he deemed a blasphemer, lives and speaks with divine authority. The foundation of Paul’s theology and mission is laid: Christ is risen, Lord, and present. The persecutor has met the Person he opposed. This personal encounter converts knowledge into confession. The rest of Paul’s life will unfold from this truth: Jesus is alive, fulfills the promises, and commissions His servant for witness to His resurrection and grace.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are attacking.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And I said, Who art thou, Lord? and he said, I am Jesus whom thou dost persecute;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I said: Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord answered: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:

Context

This is the climax of identification within the Damascus narrative. After light and voice (vv.13–14), the speaker names Himself as Jesus (v.15). Immediately the tone shifts from rebuke to commissioning in verse 16. Verses 16–18 will articulate Paul’s mission to Jews and Gentiles. Establishing that Jesus spoke grounds Paul’s claim that his gospel and calling come directly from the risen Lord, validating his message before Agrippa.

v.14And 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.

v.15This passage

v.16But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee;

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 25:40

    And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.

  • Exodus 16:8

    And Moses said, This shall be, when Jehovah shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that Jehovah heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against Jehovah.

  • John 15:20

    Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also.

  • 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.

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