Acts 26:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when we {G2257} were {G2667} all {G3956} fallen {G2667} to {G1519} the earth {G1093}, I heard {G191} a voice {G5456} speaking {G2980} unto {G4314} me {G3165}, and {G2532} saying {G3004} in the Hebrew {G1446} tongue {G1258}, Saul {G4549}, Saul {G4549}, why {G5101} persecutest thou {G1377} me {G3165}? it is hard {G4642} for thee {G4671} to kick {G2979} against {G4314} the pricks {G2759}.

Complete Jewish Bible

We all fell to the ground; and then I heard a voice saying to me, in Hebrew, ‘Sha’ul! Sha’ul! Why do you keep persecuting me? It’s hard on you to be kicking against the ox-goads!’

Berean Standard Bible

We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 26:14 captures the dramatic and pivotal moment of Saul's (later Paul's) encounter with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus, as he recounts it before King Agrippa II and Festus. This verse highlights the direct, personal confrontation between the zealous persecutor and the divine voice, revealing Christ's profound identification with His persecuted followers and issuing a powerful warning against the futility and self-harm inherent in resisting God's sovereign will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 26:14 is embedded within Paul's defense speech before King Agrippa II and Governor Festus, a crucial moment in his legal proceedings in Caesarea. Paul is not merely defending himself against charges of sedition and profaning the temple; he is seizing the opportunity to bear witness to his conversion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This account is the third detailed narration of his Damascus Road experience in the book of Acts, following those in [Acts 9](/acts/9 "Acts 9 - Saul's Conversion") and [Acts 22](/acts/22 "Acts 22 - Paul's Defense Before the Crowd"). Each account, while consistent in its core message, offers slightly different emphases or details pertinent to the specific audience. Here, Paul's vivid recollection serves to explain the radical shift in his life's direction, from persecutor to apostle, emphasizing the undeniable divine intervention that compelled his transformation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's trial takes place in the Roman province of Judea, with King Agrippa II, a Jewish client king, and Festus, the Roman governor, presiding. Agrippa's Jewish background makes him particularly receptive to Paul's explanation of his faith in terms of Jewish prophecy and the resurrection. The phrase "in the Hebrew tongue" refers to Aramaic, the common Semitic language spoken by Jews in Judea during the first century, often colloquially referred to as "Hebrew." This detail underscores the personal and culturally resonant nature of the divine address to Saul, a devout Jew. The idiom "kick against the pricks" (or goads) was a common ancient proverb, found in Greek and Roman literature (e.g., Aeschylus, Euripides, Terence). It referred to an ox or other draft animal that resisted the sharp stick (goad) used by a farmer to direct it, only to injure itself further in the process. This imagery would have been instantly recognizable to both Jewish and Gentile audiences, powerfully conveying the futility and self-destructive nature of resisting a superior, guiding force.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Intervention and Sovereign Call**, demonstrating God's active involvement in human affairs, even to the point of dramatically redirecting the life of His fiercest opponent. The blinding light and audible voice represent an undeniable, supernatural encounter that overrides human will. Secondly, the question "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" profoundly establishes the theme of **Christ's Identification with His People**. It reveals the intimate union between Jesus and His followers, teaching that an attack on His disciples is an attack on Christ Himself. This truth forms the theological bedrock for Paul's later teachings on the Church as the [Body of Christ](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ") (e.g., [1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - You are the body of Christ")). Lastly, the proverb "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks" highlights the **Futility and Pain of Resisting God's Will**. It emphasizes that opposition to God's purposes is not only fruitless but also self-destructive, leading to unnecessary suffering for the one who resists, much like the rebellious ox. This theme underscores the wisdom of humble submission to divine guidance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **persecutest (Greek, _diṓkō'_):** From G1377, this verb means "to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute." In this context, it vividly describes Saul's relentless and violent campaign against the early Christians, driven by his zeal for Judaism. The present tense indicates an ongoing action, emphasizing the intensity and consistency of his opposition to Christ's followers.
* **Hebrew tongue (Greek, _Hebraḯs'_ and _diálektos'_):** From G1446 and G1258 respectively, "Hebraḯs" refers to "the Hebraistic (Hebrew) or Jewish (Chaldee) language," and "diálektos" means "a (mode of) discourse, i.e. 'dialect'." This specifies that Christ addressed Saul in Aramaic, the common language of Jews in Judea. This detail is significant because it would have been Saul's native language, lending an immediate and undeniable authority and intimacy to the divine communication, making the message profoundly personal and culturally resonant for him.
* **pricks (Greek, _kéntron'_):** From G2759, this noun signifies "a point ('centre'), i.e. a sting (figuratively, poison) or goad (figuratively, divine impulse)." In the context of the proverb, "pricks" refers to the sharp-pointed stick used by farmers to prod and guide oxen. The imagery powerfully conveys that Saul's resistance to the nascent Christian movement was akin to an animal futilely and painfully kicking against the very instrument meant to direct it, resulting only in self-inflicted injury and delayed obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when we were all fallen to the earth":** This clause describes the immediate physical effect of the blinding light and divine presence on Saul and his companions. The intensity of the heavenly manifestation was so overwhelming that it caused everyone present to collapse, signifying the immense power and authority of the one speaking. It underscores the undeniable, physical reality of the encounter.
* **"I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue":** This specifies the auditory component of the revelation. Saul distinctly heard a voice, indicating a direct, personal communication. The detail that it was "in the Hebrew tongue" (Aramaic) emphasizes the intimate and culturally relevant nature of the address, suggesting that Christ met Saul on his own terms, in a language that would resonate deeply with his Jewish identity and understanding.
* **"Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?":** This is the core, confrontational question. The repetition of "Saul, Saul" is a Hebrew idiom for intense emotion, urgency, or a solemn call (cf. [Luke 10:41](/luke/10-41 "Luke 10:41 - Martha, Martha")). The profound theological truth revealed here is Christ's absolute identification with His followers. To persecute the Church is to persecute Christ Himself, establishing a foundational principle for the unity between Christ and His body.
* **"[it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks.":** This proverbial statement serves as a warning and an explanation of Saul's prior resistance. The "pricks" (goads) represent the divine impulses, convictions, or perhaps even the testimonies of the Christians Saul was persecuting, which were already causing him internal discomfort or resistance. The proverb implies that Saul's opposition was not only futile but also self-destructive, causing him unnecessary pain and delaying his inevitable submission to God's will.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 26:14 employs several powerful literary devices. The **Repetition** of "Saul, Saul" serves as a direct and emphatic **Apostrophe**, a figure of speech where a speaker directly addresses someone (or something) absent or imaginary, or in this case, a person present but addressed with great emotional intensity. This repetition underscores the personal, urgent, and authoritative nature of Christ's call to Saul. The phrase "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks" is a vivid **Metaphor** (or a **Simile** in its implied comparison). It draws a parallel between Saul's resistance to God's will and an an ox stubbornly kicking against the goad used to direct it. This **Analogy** effectively communicates the futility, self-inflicted harm, and ultimate inevitability of yielding to a superior force. The entire scene also functions as **Dramatic Irony**, as Saul, in his zeal to serve God, is unknowingly fighting against God's own Son, a truth revealed to him in this blinding moment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 26:14 is a profound theological statement, revealing fundamental truths about God's sovereignty, Christ's nature, and the Church's identity. It demonstrates that God's plan cannot be thwarted by human opposition, no matter how zealous. The direct address from Christ underscores His living reality and His active involvement in the world, particularly in the calling of His servants. Most significantly, the verse establishes the deep, mystical union between Christ and His Church: to persecute believers is to persecute Christ Himself. This truth elevates the status of believers and emphasizes the sacredness of the Church as Christ's body on earth. It also highlights the internal struggle that often precedes conversion, as God's Spirit works to convict and draw individuals, even those who actively resist.

* [Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Serving the Least of These")
* [1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - You are the body of Christ")
* [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's encounter on the Damascus Road, as recounted in Acts 26:14, offers timeless lessons for every believer and seeker. It challenges us to consider where we might be "kicking against the pricks" in our own lives—resisting divine promptings, ignoring spiritual convictions, or stubbornly clinging to our own plans instead of yielding to God's will. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true freedom and purpose are found not in resistance, but in humble submission to the Lordship of Christ. Furthermore, it deepens our understanding of the Church as Christ's body, calling us to treat fellow believers with the reverence due to those intimately connected to our Savior. Our actions towards others, whether in love or in opposition, have profound implications for our relationship with Christ Himself. This passage invites us to introspect: Are we aligned with God's purposes, or are we, like Saul once was, unwittingly fighting against the very One who seeks our good?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "kicking against the pricks," resisting God's gentle (or not-so-gentle) guidance or conviction?**
* **How does the truth that "to persecute Christ's followers is to persecute Christ Himself" impact my view of the Church and my interactions with other believers?**
* **What does Paul's radical transformation teach me about the power of divine intervention and the possibility of change in my own life or the lives of others?**

### FAQ
**What is meant by "in the Hebrew tongue" in this verse?**

Answer: While the King James Version says "in the Hebrew tongue," it's widely understood by scholars that this refers to Aramaic, the common Semitic language spoken by Jews in Judea during the first century. "Hebrew" was often used broadly to refer to the language of the Jews. The significance is that Jesus addressed Saul in his native language, making the encounter deeply personal and culturally resonant for him as a devout Jew.

**What does the idiom "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks" mean?**

Answer: This is an ancient proverb, common in both Greek and Roman literature, referring to an agricultural practice. A "prick" or "goad" was a sharp stick used by farmers to prod or guide an ox. If the ox resisted by kicking against the goad, it would only injure itself further. In this context, the proverb means that it is painful, futile, and self-destructive to resist divine conviction or God's will. Saul's zealous persecution of Christians was, in effect, a painful and pointless struggle against the very purposes of God, which ultimately led to his own suffering and delayed his submission to Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 26:14 is profoundly Christ-centered, not merely as a historical account of Paul's conversion, but as a revelation of Christ's ongoing Lordship and His intimate union with His Church. The voice from heaven is none other than the resurrected Jesus, demonstrating His active presence and sovereign authority even after His ascension. His question, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" is the theological crux, revealing that the suffering of His followers is His own suffering, and their persecution is His persecution. This truth foreshadows Paul's later theological development of the Church as the [body of Christ](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ as Head of the Church"), where Christ is the head and believers are His members. Paul's radical transformation from persecutor to apostle is a testament to the power of Christ's grace to convert even the most hardened hearts and to redirect human lives for divine purposes. The "pricks" can be understood as the subtle (or not-so-subtle) stirrings of God's Spirit, the testimonies of martyrs like Stephen ([Acts 7:54-60](/acts/7-54-60 "Acts 7:54-60 - The Stoning of Stephen")), or even Saul's own internal wrestling, all orchestrated by Christ to bring him to repentance and faith. Thus, this verse beautifully illustrates Christ's relentless pursuit of His chosen ones, His unwavering identification with His people, and the irresistible power of His call to transform lives and build His kingdom, even through the most unexpected instruments, as seen in Paul's subsequent life of devoted service to the [gospel of Christ](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul's Renunciation for Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 21:40

And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto [them] in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Acts 9:7

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

Acts 22:2

(And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

Acts 9:4

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Acts 9:5

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Acts 22:7

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

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.