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Acts 9:4

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

And {G2532} he fell {G4098} to {G1909} the earth {G1093}, and heard {G191} a voice {G5456} saying {G3004} unto him {G846}, Saul {G4549}, Saul {G4549}, why {G5101} persecutest thou {G1377} me {G3165}?

Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Sha’ul! Sha’ul! Why do you keep persecuting me?”

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

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

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 9:4 (KJV)

King James Version: "And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, ‹Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?›"

Context and Background

This verse describes the dramatic moment of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus. Saul, a zealous Pharisee, was on a mission to arrest Christians in Damascus and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial and punishment. He was actively and violently persecuting the early church, believing he was doing God's work.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Intervention: God directly intervenes in Saul's life, stopping him in his tracks through a powerful, supernatural encounter.
  • Jesus' Identification with Believers: The most striking message is Jesus' question: "Why persecutest thou me?" Jesus identifies so closely with His followers that persecution against them is considered persecution against Him personally.
  • The Severity of Persecution: This encounter highlights the seriousness with which Christ views the suffering of His church.

Linguistic Insights

The repetition of the name "Saul, Saul" (Σαοὺλ Σαούλ in Greek) is a common biblical pattern used for emphasis, urgency, or profound significance (compare Luke 10:41, "Martha, Martha"). It gets Saul's full attention and underscores the personal nature of the address from the divine voice.

Cross-References

Jesus' identification with His people is echoed in other parts of scripture, such as His teaching that acts done for "one of the least of these my brethren" are done for Him (Matthew 25:40).

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that how we treat other believers (and even those who oppose the faith) is noticed by Christ. It challenges us to consider the impact of our words and actions on the body of Christ and on individuals, recognizing that in harming or helping others, we are, in a sense, interacting with Christ Himself.

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

  • Zechariah 2:8 (7 votes)

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

  • Acts 26:14 (6 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 63:9 (6 votes)

    In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

  • Romans 11:22 (6 votes)

    Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in [his] goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:12 (6 votes)

    ¶ For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ.

  • Genesis 16:8 (5 votes)

    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.