Acts 9:3
What does Acts 9:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 9:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 9:3 means
As Saul neared Damascus, a sudden, brilliant light from heaven enveloped him. This was no ordinary light but a supernatural manifestation of God's presence and power. The intensity of this heavenly light, so powerful it caused him to fall to the earth, signifies a direct divine intervention. This moment marks the beginning of Saul's encounter with the risen Christ, an event that would irrevocably alter his destiny and the future of the Christian church, shifting him from persecutor to apostle.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And while he was journeying, he came near Damascus; and suddenly he saw a light from heaven shining round him;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And in the going, he came nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shone round about him a light from the heaven,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus. And suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But as he was journeying, it came to pass that he drew near to Damascus; and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven,
Context
This verse describes the immediate onset of Saul's conversion experience, a direct response to his persecuting zeal detailed in verses 1 and 2. The sudden, overwhelming light from heaven sets the scene for the audible encounter with Jesus. This dramatic interruption to his journey in turn explains his subsequent physical and spiritual transformation, which is key to the rest of the chapter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 9:17
And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- 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.
- 1 Timothy 6:16
who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
- Acts 26:12
Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
- 1 Corinthians 15:8
and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.
- 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.
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