Acts 22:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Complete Jewish Bible:

I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Sha’ul! Sha’ul! Why do you keep persecuting me?’

Berean Standard Bible:

I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

American Standard Version:

And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G5037} I fell^{G4098} unto^{G1519} the ground^{G1475}, and^{G2532} heard^{G191} a voice^{G5456} saying^{G3004} unto me^{G3427}, Saul^{G4549}, Saul^{G4549}, why^{G5101} persecutest thou^{G1377} me^{G3165}?

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Commentary for Acts 22:7

Acts 22:7 is part of the New Testament and is set within the narrative of the Apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. This event is pivotal in the book of Acts and in the history of Christianity, as it marks the transformation of Saul, a persecutor of Christians, into Paul, one of the most influential apostles and missionaries for the early Christian Church.

In this verse, Saul is confronted by Jesus Christ in a dramatic and supernatural encounter. The voice from heaven addresses him personally, repeating his name for emphasis, "Saul, Saul," which underscores the urgency and personal nature of the message. The question, "why persecutest thou me?" reveals a key theological theme: persecuting Christians is equivalent to persecuting Jesus himself, illustrating the close identification of Jesus with his followers. This reflects the doctrine of the Body of Christ, where believers are seen as members of Christ's own body.

The historical context of this verse is the early first century, during a period of intense persecution of the early Christian movement by Jewish religious authorities. Saul, as a zealous Pharisee, was actively involved in this persecution, seeking to arrest and bring Christians to justice in Jerusalem. His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, marked by this divine question, leads to his physical blindness, a metaphor for spiritual blindness, which is healed by Ananias, a Christian disciple in Damascus. Saul's conversion experience is a turning point for him and for the spread of Christianity beyond Judea to the wider Roman Empire.

In summary, Acts 22:7 captures a profound moment of divine intervention and personal transformation. It highlights themes of divine calling, the persecution of the early Church, the unity of Christ with his followers, and the power of conversion. This verse is a cornerstone in the narrative of Paul's life and mission, which would shape the theology and expansion of the early Christian faith.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G5037
   There are 192 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τέ
   Transliteration: té
   Pronunciation: teh
   Description: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of καί):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle.
   
2. Strong's Number: G4098
   There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πίπτω
   Transliteration: píptō
   Pronunciation: pet'-o
   Description: probably akin to πέτομαι through the idea of alighting; to fall (literally or figuratively):--fail, fall (down), light on.
   
3. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
4. Strong's Number: G1475
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἔδαφος
   Transliteration: édaphos
   Pronunciation: ed'-af-os
   Description: from the base of ἑδραῖος; a basis (bottom), i.e. the soil:--ground.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
6. Strong's Number: G191
   There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀκούω
   Transliteration: akoúō
   Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o
   Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
   
7. Strong's Number: G5456
   There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φωνή
   Transliteration: phōnḗ
   Pronunciation: fo-nay'
   Description: probably akin to φαίνω through the idea of disclosure; a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language:--noise, sound, voice.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
9. Strong's Number: G3427
   There are 227 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μοί
   Transliteration: moí
   Pronunciation: moy
   Description: the simpler form of ἐμοί; to me:--I, me, mine, my.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4549
    There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Σαούλ
    Transliteration: Saoúl
    Pronunciation: sah-ool'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (שָׁאוּל); Saul (i.e. Shaul), the Jewish name of Paul:--Saul. Compare Σαῦλος.
    
11. Strong's Number: G5101
    There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τίς
    Transliteration: tís
    Pronunciation: tis
    Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1377
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: διώκω
    Transliteration: diṓkō
    Pronunciation: dee-o'-ko
    Description: a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb (to flee; compare the base of δειλός and διάκονος); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute:--ensue, follow (after), given to, (suffer) persecute(-ion), press forward.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3165
    There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μέ
    Transliteration: mé
    Pronunciation: meh
    Description: a shorter (and probably original) form of ἐμέ; me:--I, me, my.