Acts 22:9

And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

And {G1161} they that were {G5607} with {G4862} me {G1698} saw {G2300} indeed {G3303} the light {G5457}, and {G2532} were {G1096} afraid {G1719}; but {G1161} they heard {G191} not {G3756} the voice {G5456} of him that spake {G2980} to me {G3427}.

Those who were with me did see the light, but they didn’t hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

My companions saw the light, but they could not understand the voice of the One speaking to me.

And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

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Commentary

Context of Acts 22:9

Acts 22:9 is a pivotal detail within the Apostle Paul's impassioned defense before the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem, where he recounts his transformative conversion experience on the road to Damascus. This particular testimony, found in Acts chapter 22, provides unique insights compared to the other two detailed accounts of his conversion in the book of Acts (Acts 9 and Acts 26). Here, Paul highlights the distinction between his experience and that of his companions, emphasizing the personal nature of his divine encounter.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Selective Revelation: The verse profoundly illustrates that God's revelation can be highly personal and selective. While Paul's companions undeniably witnessed the overwhelming light and were gripped by fear, they did not comprehend the specific, intelligible words spoken to Paul. This underscores the unique nature of Paul's apostolic calling and commissioning.
  • Eyewitness Validation: Paul's inclusion of his companions' experience serves as a crucial form of validation for the supernatural event. Their shared observation of the blinding light and their subsequent terror confirm the objective reality of what transpired, even if they lacked full spiritual understanding. This detail adds significant credibility to Paul's personal account of encountering the risen Jesus Christ.
  • The Nature of Hearing: The distinction between "saw the light" and "heard not the voice of him that spake to me" is vital. The Greek word for "voice" here is phonē, which can mean a sound or an articulate utterance. While his companions heard a sound (a general noise or thunder-like phenomenon), it was not the coherent, transformative voice that spoke directly to Paul, asking, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" This personal address marked the radical turning point in his life.

Linguistic Insights

A common point of discussion among Bible students arises from the slight variation between Acts 9:7, which states Paul's companions were "hearing a voice, but seeing no man," and Acts 22:9, which says, "...but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me." This apparent discrepancy is resolved by understanding the different facets of the Greek verb akouō (to hear). It can mean both to perceive a sound (like hearing thunder) and to comprehend or understand what is being said (like hearing and understanding a conversation). Paul's companions heard the sound (phonē) but did not comprehend the words spoken, whereas Paul both heard and understood the voice of the Son of God, which was specifically directed at him.

Practical Application

Acts 22:9 offers valuable insights for believers today. It reminds us that God's dealings with humanity are diverse and deeply personal. Not everyone experiences God in the same way, nor is every spiritual encounter meant to be fully understood by all who witness it. This verse encourages us to recognize and respect the unique nature of God's call on each individual's life and the personal relationship He seeks. It also affirms that even when others may not fully grasp our spiritual experiences, their witness to the outward signs can still validate the reality of God's presence and power, encouraging faith and testimony.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 9:7

    And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

  • Daniel 10:7

    And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

  • Acts 26:13

    At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

  • John 12:29

    The people therefore, that stood by, and heard [it], said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

  • John 12:30

    Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
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