Acts 9:4

4 and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, what pursuest thou 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 of him letters into Damascus, to the synagogues; that if he found any men or women of this life, he should lead them bound to Jerusalem.

3 And when he made his journey, it befelled [And when he made journey, it befell], that he came nigh to Damascus. And suddenly a light from heaven shone about him;

4 and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, what pursuest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou pursuest. It is hard to thee, to kick against the prick [It is hard to thee, for to kick against the prick].

6 And he trembled, and wondered, and said, Lord, what wilt thou that I do [And he trembling and wondering, said, Lord, what wilt thou me to do]? And the Lord said to him, Rise up, and enter into the city, and it shall be said to thee, what it behooveth thee to do.