Acts 9:4

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

Acts 9:4 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him,Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
The Message Bible (MSG)
4 As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: "Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?"
American Standard Version (ASV)
4 and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?"
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
4 Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
4 He fell to the ground. He heard a voice speak to him. "Saul! Saul!" the voice said. "Why are you opposing me?"

Acts 9:4 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 9:4

And he fell to the earth
Not being able to bear the light, and still less the divine glory and majesty which he perceived was present; and therefore, in great confusion, amazement, and fear, he fell with his face to the ground, and lay there prostrate and so did also those that were with him, ( Acts 26:14 )

and heard a voice, saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me?
this voice was the real voice of Christ in his human nature, and who visibly and in person appeared, and was seen by the apostle; ( Acts 26:16 ) ( 1 Corinthians 15:8 ) the language he spoke in was the Hebrew tongue, and he calls him by his Hebrew name Saul, and which is doubled to denote vehemency and affection; (See Gill on Luke 22:31) he knew him as one of his sheep, though straying, and calls him by name, and expostulates with him, wherefore he should persecute him in his members as he did; for the union between Christ and his people is so close, that what is done to them is done to him. There seems to be a considerable emphasis on the word "me"; "me", who have been they surety from everlasting; "me", who hath loved thee and given myself for thee; "me", who have shed my blood, laid down my life, and died for thee; "me", who am now at my Father's right hand, interceding for thee, that grace might be bestowed upon thee, the set time being now come.

Acts 9:4 In-Context

2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Cross References 1

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