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Acts 26:15

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

And {G1161} I {G1473} said {G2036}, Who {G5101} art thou {G1488}, Lord {G2962}? And {G1161} he said {G2036}, I {G1473} am {G1510} Jesus {G2424} whom {G3739} thou {G4771} persecutest {G1377}.

I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ and the Lord answered, ‘I am Yeshua, and you are persecuting me!

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

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

Commentary

Acts 26:15 captures a pivotal moment in the life of Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul, during his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus. This verse is part of Paul's defense before King Agrippa II and Governor Festus, where he recounts his encounter with the risen Christ.

Context

This verse is drawn from Paul's third recorded account of his conversion (the others being in Acts 9 and Acts 22). Paul, a zealous Pharisee, was on a mission to persecute followers of Jesus, whom he considered a heretical sect. The scene is set with a blinding light and a voice from heaven. Paul's question, "Who art thou, Lord?" reveals his immediate recognition of a divine presence, though he doesn't yet know the identity of the speaker. The answer he receives fundamentally reshapes his understanding of God, Messiah, and his own mission.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Revelation: The verse highlights the direct, personal, and undeniable revelation of Jesus Christ to Saul. It wasn't a philosophical realization but a direct encounter with the living Lord.
  • Jesus's Identification with His People: The profound statement, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest," reveals a crucial theological truth: persecuting believers is tantamount to persecuting Christ Himself. This emphasizes the deep unity between Christ and His church, often referred to as the body of Christ.
  • Sovereignty of Christ: Jesus initiates this encounter, demonstrating His sovereign power to intervene in human lives, even in the life of His most ardent persecutor, to fulfill His divine purposes.
  • Radical Transformation: This singular moment marks the beginning of Saul's radical transformation from an enemy of the Gospel to its most fervent apostle, illustrating the transformative power of a genuine encounter with Christ.

Linguistic Insights

Paul's initial address, "Lord" (Greek: kyrie), is a respectful but general term that could mean 'sir' or 'master'. However, given the context of the blinding light and heavenly voice, it carries the weight of divine authority. Jesus's response, "I am Jesus," is a direct and powerful self-identification. The phrase "whom thou persecutest" (Greek: hon sy diōkeis) is intensely personal and direct, revealing that Saul's actions against believers were not just against people, but against the very person of Jesus.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of several truths for believers today:

  • The Reality of Christ: Jesus is not just a historical figure but a living Lord who actively engages with humanity.
  • The Dignity of Believers: Our identity as Christians is intrinsically linked to Christ. When we are persecuted for our faith, Christ identifies with our suffering, as He stated in Matthew 25:40, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
  • The Call to Humility and Openness: Like Saul, we can be spiritually blind to truth, even while thinking we are serving God. This verse encourages a posture of humility and openness to divine revelation.
  • The Power of Conversion: No one is beyond the reach of God's transforming grace. The radical change in Paul's life offers hope and inspiration for the most hardened hearts.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • John 15:20 (5 votes)

    Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

  • John 15:21 (5 votes)

    But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

  • Matthew 25:45 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 16:8 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 25:40 (2 votes)

    And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.