Acts 9:7
What does Acts 9:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 9:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 9:7 means
The men traveling with Saul experienced the supernatural event differently than he did. While they heard a voice, indicating the reality of the divine encounter, they saw no visible form. This partial experience left them speechless and bewildered, confirming the miraculous nature of the event without fully revealing its meaning to them. Their limited perception emphasizes the personal and specific nature of Saul's call from Christ, as it was directly intended for him, though witnessed by others.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the men who were with him were not able to say anything; hearing the voice, but seeing no one.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the men who are journeying with him stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice but seeing no one,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the Lord said to him: Arise and go into the city; and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. Now the men who went in company with him stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice but seeing no man.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but beholding no one.
Context
This verse provides an important corroborating detail, showing that others witnessed aspects of the event, even if not its full spiritual significance. Their bewilderment contrasts sharply with Saul's direct encounter with Jesus. This detail reinforces the authenticity of Saul's experience, demonstrating it was not an internal delusion, and sets the scene for Saul's physical blindness, which immediately follows.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 12:29
The multitude therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it had thundered: others said, An angel hath spoken to him.
- Matthew 24:40
Then shall two men be in the field; one is taken, and one is left:
- Acts 26:13
at 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.
- Daniel 10:7
And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.
- Acts 22:9
And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
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