Acts 9:4
What does Acts 9:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 9:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 9:4 means
Falling to the ground, Saul heard a voice addressing him directly: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" The repetition of his name emphasizes the personal and urgent nature of the divine address. Critically, Jesus identifies Himself with His persecuted followers, indicating that an attack on them is an attack on Him directly. This profound revelation challenged Saul's entire understanding of his own actions, initiating his realization that he was fighting against God Himself.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he went down on the earth, and a voice said to him, Saul, Saul, why are you attacking me so cruelly?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having fallen upon the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, `Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and falling on the earth he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me?
Context
Following the blinding light in verse 3, this verse presents the pivotal verbal confrontation between Jesus and Saul. This direct question from the Lord fundamentally shifts Saul's perspective, preparing him for the revelation of Jesus' identity. This exchange is the theological core of his conversion, directly leading to his inquiry and the subsequent divine instructions.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 18:6
When therefore he said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
- Genesis 22:11
And the angel of Jehovah called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
- 1 Corinthians 12:12
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
- Genesis 3:9
And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou?
- Acts 26:14
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.
- Acts 22:7
And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
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