Acts 22:7

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

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}?

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

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

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

Acts 22:7 is part of the Apostle Paul’s (formerly Saul’s) personal testimony given to a Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, recounting his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus. This verse captures the pivotal moment when the zealous persecutor encountered the Risen Christ.

Context of Paul's Testimony

At this point in the book of Acts, Paul has been arrested in Jerusalem after a riot instigated by Jews from Asia. Given permission to speak, he addresses the crowd in Hebrew, aiming to explain why he, a former Pharisee and persecutor of Christians, became a follower of Jesus. This account is one of three detailed narratives of Paul's conversion in Acts, offering a firsthand perspective that complements the initial account in Acts 9:4 and another in Acts 26:14. Paul was on a mission sanctioned by the high priest to arrest and bring Christians from Damascus back to Jerusalem for punishment, demonstrating his intense zeal against the nascent Christian movement.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Intervention: The verse vividly portrays God's sovereign and direct intervention into Saul's life. It wasn't a gradual change of heart but a sudden, overwhelming encounter that completely rerouted his path.
  • Jesus' Identification with His People: The profound question, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" reveals a critical theological truth: Jesus identifies directly with His followers, the Church. To persecute a believer is to persecute Christ Himself. This concept underscores the unity between Christ and His body, the Church, a theme Paul would later develop extensively in his epistles (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12:27).
  • Ignorance of Persecution: Saul genuinely believed he was doing God's service by persecuting Christians. The voice of Jesus shattered this misconception, revealing that in his religious zeal, he was unknowingly fighting against God.
  • Call to Transformation: This encounter marked the beginning of Saul's radical transformation from persecutor to apostle, demonstrating the immense power of a personal encounter with the Risen Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of "Saul, Saul" is significant. In biblical narrative, a repeated name often signifies urgency, intimacy, or a momentous call or warning (e.g., "Abraham, Abraham" in Genesis 22:11 or "Martha, Martha" in Luke 10:41). It indicates a direct, personal address from a divine source. The Greek verb for "persecutest" (diōkeis) means to pursue, chase, or harass, emphasizing the active and aggressive nature of Saul's actions against believers.

Practical Application

Acts 22:7 offers several timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God can reach anyone, regardless of their past or current opposition to Him. It also serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' deep care for His Church; when His people suffer, He suffers with them, reinforcing the importance of how we treat fellow believers. Furthermore, it challenges us to examine our own lives, ensuring that our zeal and actions are aligned with God's will and not unknowingly in opposition to His purposes.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 2:9

    ¶ Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.

  • Matthew 25:45

    Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me.

  • Genesis 3:9

    ¶ And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou?

  • Genesis 22:1

    ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, [here] I [am].

  • Genesis 16:8

    And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

  • 1 Timothy 1:13

    Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief.

  • 1 Samuel 3:10

    And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

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