Acts 22:8

And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

And {G1161} I {G1473} answered {G611}, Who {G5101} art thou {G1488}, Lord {G2962}? And {G5037} he said {G2036} unto {G4314} me {G3165}, I {G1473} am {G1510} Jesus {G2424} of Nazareth {G3480}, whom {G3739} thou {G4771} persecutest {G1377}.

I answered, ‘Sir, who are you?’ ‘I am Yeshua from Natzeret,’ he said to me, ‘and you are persecuting me!’

‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied.

And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

Commentary

Context

This verse is part of Paul's (formerly Saul's) powerful personal testimony given to a hostile Jewish crowd in Jerusalem. Having been arrested, Paul is granted permission to speak, and he recounts his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. He emphasizes his former zeal as a Pharisee and a persecutor of Christians, making his encounter with the resurrected Christ all the more profound and undeniable. This specific exchange captures the pivotal moment of direct revelation that fundamentally changed the course of his life and Christian history.

Key Themes

  • Direct Divine Revelation: The verse highlights a personal and unmistakable encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus directly identifies Himself to Saul, leaving no room for doubt about His identity or authority. This was not a vision of an angel or a prophet, but the Lord Himself speaking.
  • Jesus' Identification with His Church: The profound statement, "whom thou persecutest," reveals a core theological truth: Jesus considers any persecution against His followers as persecution against Himself. This concept is powerfully echoed in Matthew 25:40, where Jesus says, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." It underscores the deep spiritual unity between Christ and His body, the Church.
  • The Authority of "Jesus of Nazareth": For many Jews of that time, "Nazareth" carried a connotation of insignificance or contempt (John 1:46). Yet, it is this humble Jesus, crucified and resurrected, who now speaks with ultimate authority, challenging Saul's entire worldview and demonstrating His triumph over death.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios - κύριος) used by Saul in his question, "Who art thou, Lord?", likely began as a respectful address to an unknown superior being. However, the subsequent revelation from Jesus transforms this address into an acknowledgment of His divine authority and sovereignty.
  • The word "persecutest" (Greek: diōkeis - διώκεις) is in the present tense, emphasizing Saul's active, ongoing, and fervent campaign against the followers of Christ. This highlights the stark contrast between Saul's past actions and the divine grace extended to him.

Practical Application

This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign grace, reaching out even to those who actively oppose Him. It reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of divine intervention and transformation. It encourages us to consider:

  • The surprising nature of God's grace, which can transform even the most ardent adversaries into devoted followers.
  • The deep connection between Christ and His people. When believers face hardship or mistreatment for their faith, Jesus Himself feels and identifies with their suffering. This should encourage empathy and solidarity among Christians.
  • The challenge to examine our own attitudes and actions towards others, particularly those who follow Christ, recognizing that our treatment of them is, in a very real sense, our treatment of Jesus Himself.
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Cross-References

  • Acts 26:9

    I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

  • 1 Samuel 8:7

    And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

  • Matthew 2:23

    And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

  • Acts 26:14

    And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

  • Acts 26:15

    And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

  • Exodus 16:7

    And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what [are] we, that ye murmur against us?

  • Exodus 16:8

    And Moses said, [This shall be], when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what [are] we? your murmurings [are] not against us, but against the LORD.
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