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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Acts 9:4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/acts/9-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/44_Act_09_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Acts 9:4 - The Road to Damascus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/acts/9-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/acts/9-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/acts/">Acts</a> > <a href="/acts/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/9-3.htm" title="Acts 9:3">◄</a> Acts 9:4 <a href="/acts/9-5.htm" title="Acts 9:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/acts/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/acts/9.htm">New International Version</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, &#8220Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/acts/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” <a href="/esv/acts/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” <a href="/bsb/acts/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” <a href="/blb/acts/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having fallen on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" <a href="/kjv/acts/9.htm">King James Bible</a> And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? <a href="/nkjv/acts/9.htm">New King James Version</a> Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” <a href="/nasb_/acts/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” <a href="/nasb/acts/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, &#8220Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/acts/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” <a href="/lsb/acts/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” <a href="/amp/acts/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” <a href="/csb/acts/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? ” <a href="/hcsb/acts/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, &#8220Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"&#8221 <a href="/asv/acts/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? <a href="/cev/acts/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me?" <a href="/erv/acts/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? <a href="/gwt/acts/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" <a href="/gnt/acts/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?" <a href="/isv/acts/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> He dropped to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?" <a href="/msb/acts/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ?Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?? <a href="/net/acts/9.htm">NET Bible</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" <a href="/nheb/acts/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" <a href="/wbt/acts/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? <a href="/wey/acts/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and falling to the ground he heard a voice which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" <a href="/web/acts/9.htm">World English Bible</a> He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and having fallen on the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” <a href="/blb/acts/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And having fallen on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" <a href="/ylt/acts/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and having fallen upon the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute?' <a href="/slt/acts/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And having fallen upon the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, Why drivest thou me out?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? <a href="/cpdv/acts/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” <a href="/nabre/acts/9.htm">New American Bible</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” <a href="/nrsvce/acts/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? You make it hard for yourself by kicking against the pricks. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he fell upon the ground and he heard a voice which said to him: “Shaul, Shaul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And when he had fallen to the earth, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? <a href="/godbey/acts/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, <FR>Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?<Fr> And he said, Who art thou, Lord? <a href="/haweis/acts/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> and falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? <a href="/mace/acts/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? <a href="/wey/acts/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> and falling to the ground he heard a voice which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" <a href="/worrell/acts/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and, having fallen upon the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, <FR>"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"<Fr> <a href="/worsley/acts/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, <FR>Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/acts/9-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=2709" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/9.htm">The Road to Damascus</a> …3As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/4098.htm" title="4098: pesōn (V-APA-NMS) -- A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.">He fell</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1093.htm" title="1093: gēn (N-AFS) -- Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.">ground</a> <a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: ēkousen (V-AIA-3S) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">and heard</a> <a href="/greek/5456.htm" title="5456: phōnēn (N-AFS) -- Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.">a voice</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legousan (V-PPA-AFS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">say</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to him,</a> <a href="/greek/4549.htm" title="4549: Saoul (N-VMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Saul, the Jewish name of Paul.">“Saul,</a> <a href="/greek/4549.htm" title="4549: Saoul (N-VMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Saul, the Jewish name of Paul.">Saul,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">why</a> <a href="/greek/1377.htm" title="1377: diōkeis (V-PIA-2S) -- To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute.">do you persecute</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me?” </a> 5“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/22-7.htm">Acts 22:7</a> I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ <a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Acts 26:14</a> 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.’ <a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a> And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ <a href="/matthew/25-45.htm">Matthew 25:45</a> Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’ <a href="/john/15-18.htm">John 15:18</a> If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. <a href="/john/15-20.htm">John 15:20</a> Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well. <a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">1 Corinthians 12:12-13</a> The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. / For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. <a href="/1_corinthians/12-26.htm">1 Corinthians 12:26-27</a> If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. / Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. <a href="/galatians/1-13.htm">Galatians 1:13</a> For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. <a href="/galatians/1-23.htm">Galatians 1:23</a> They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” <a href="/philippians/3-6.htm">Philippians 3:6</a> as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. <a href="/1_timothy/1-13.htm">1 Timothy 1:13</a> I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. <a href="/isaiah/63-9.htm">Isaiah 63:9</a> In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. <a href="/zechariah/2-8.htm">Zechariah 2:8</a> For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “After His Glory has sent Me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye— <a href="/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4</a> When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me?he fell.<a href="/acts/5-10.htm">Acts 5:10</a> Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.<a href="/numbers/16-45.htm">Numbers 16:45</a> Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.<a href="/john/18-6.htm">John 18:6</a> As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.Saul.<a href="/genesis/3-9.htm">Genesis 3:9</a> And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?<a href="/genesis/16-8.htm">Genesis 16:8</a> 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.<a href="/genesis/22-11.htm">Genesis 22:11</a> And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.why.<a href="/acts/22-7.htm">Acts 22:7,8</a> And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? … <a href="/acts/26-14.htm">Acts 26:14,15</a> 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… <a href="/isaiah/63-9.htm">Isaiah 63:9</a> 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/12-53.htm">Attacking</a> <a href="/acts/8-3.htm">Cruelly</a> <a href="/acts/8-33.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/acts/8-23.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/acts/7-60.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/acts/7-60.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/acts/7-54.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/acts/8-30.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/acts/8-31.htm">Me</a> <a href="/acts/7-52.htm">Persecute</a> <a href="/job/30-21.htm">Persecutest</a> <a href="/john/5-16.htm">Persecuting</a> <a href="/acts/9-1.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/acts/8-7.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/9-5.htm">Attacking</a> <a href="/acts/16-37.htm">Cruelly</a> <a href="/acts/9-8.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/acts/10-25.htm">Fallen</a> <a href="/acts/10-25.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/acts/9-18.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/acts/9-8.htm">Ground</a> <a href="/acts/9-7.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/acts/10-29.htm">Me</a> <a href="/acts/9-5.htm">Persecute</a> <a href="/acts/9-5.htm">Persecutest</a> <a href="/acts/9-5.htm">Persecuting</a> <a href="/acts/9-5.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/acts/9-7.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 9</div>1. <a href="/acts/9-1.htm">Saul, going toward Damascus, is stricken down to the earth, </a> 8. <a href="/acts/9-8.htm">and led blind to Damascus;</a> 10. <a href="/acts/9-10.htm">is called to the apostleship;</a> 18. <a href="/acts/9-18.htm">and is baptized by Ananias.</a> 20. <a href="/acts/9-20.htm">He preaches Christ boldly.</a> 23. <a href="/acts/9-23.htm">The Jews lay wait to kill him;</a> 29. <a href="/acts/9-29.htm">so do the Grecians, but he escapes both.</a> 31. <a href="/acts/9-31.htm">The church having rest, Peter heals Aeneas;</a> 36. <a href="/acts/9-36.htm">and restores Tabitha to life.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>He fell to the ground This phrase describes Saul's physical reaction to the divine encounter. Falling to the ground is a common biblical response to a theophany or divine presence, indicating reverence, fear, or submission. Similar reactions are seen in <a href="/ezekiel/1-28.htm">Ezekiel 1:28</a> and <a href="/daniel/10-9.htm">Daniel 10:9</a>, where individuals fall prostrate before God's glory. This act signifies the overwhelming power and authority of the divine presence Saul encountered.and heard a voice say to him Hearing a voice from heaven is a significant motif in Scripture, often indicating a direct communication from God. In the Old Testament, God frequently spoke to His prophets in this manner, as seen in <a href="/1_samuel/3-4.htm">1 Samuel 3:4</a> and <a href="/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4</a>. The voice Saul hears is authoritative and personal, marking a pivotal moment of divine intervention in his life.“Saul, Saul, The repetition of Saul's name is a Hebraic expression of emphasis and urgency. This form of address is used in other biblical instances, such as when God calls Moses in <a href="/exodus/3-4.htm">Exodus 3:4</a> and when Jesus addresses Martha in <a href="/luke/10-41.htm">Luke 10:41</a>. It underscores the importance of the message and the personal nature of the call.why do you persecute Me?” This question highlights the intimate connection between Jesus and His followers, as persecution of believers is equated with persecution of Christ Himself. This reflects Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a>, where He identifies with His people. Theologically, it underscores the unity of Christ with the Church, His body, as elaborated in <a href="/1_corinthians/12-27.htm">1 Corinthians 12:27</a>. Saul's persecution of Christians is thus seen as a direct affront to Jesus, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions and the need for his transformation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/saul_of_tarsus.htm">Saul of Tarsus</a> A zealous Pharisee known for persecuting Christians. He is on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of "the Way" when he encounters Jesus. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The risen Lord who appears to Saul in a vision, initiating Saul's dramatic conversion and calling him to be an apostle to the Gentiles. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_road_to_damascus.htm">The Road to Damascus</a> The location where Saul experiences his life-changing encounter with Jesus. This event marks a pivotal moment in the spread of Christianity. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_voice_from_heaven.htm">The Voice from Heaven</a> Represents divine intervention. The voice is Jesus speaking directly to Saul, highlighting the personal nature of the encounter. 5. <a href="/topical/p/persecution_of_christians.htm">Persecution of Christians</a> Saul's mission before his conversion, which he believed was a service to God, but was actually opposing God's work.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_encounter.htm">Divine Encounter</a> God can intervene in our lives in unexpected ways. Saul's encounter with Jesus was sudden and transformative, reminding us that no one is beyond God's reach. <a href="/topical/p/personal_relationship_with_christ.htm">Personal Relationship with Christ</a> Jesus' question, "Why do you persecute Me?" underscores the personal relationship He has with His followers. Our actions towards others reflect our relationship with Him. <a href="/topical/t/transformation_and_calling.htm">Transformation and Calling</a> Saul's conversion illustrates that God can use anyone for His purposes, regardless of their past. Our past does not disqualify us from being used by God. <a href="/topical/p/persecution_and_suffering.htm">Persecution and Suffering</a> Jesus identifies with the suffering of His followers. When we face persecution or hardship for our faith, we are not alone; Christ is with us. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_redemption.htm">Repentance and Redemption</a> Saul's account is a powerful example of repentance and redemption. It encourages us to seek forgiveness and embrace the new life offered in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 9</a> <a href="/q/why_did_paul_go_to_arabia_after_converting.htm">Why did Paul travel to Arabia post-conversion?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_universal_church_of_god.htm">What is the timeline of Paul's life events?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_audible_divine_calls.htm">1 Samuel 3:4 – Is there any historical or scientific evidence that supports an audible, personal call from a deity to an individual? </a> <a href="/q/paul's_life_events_timeline.htm">What is the timeline of Paul's life events?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?--It is remarkable that here only, in the original Greek, and in <a href="/acts/9-17.htm" title="And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.">Acts 9:17</a>, as in the reproduction of the words in <a href="/acts/22-27.htm" title="Then the chief captain came, and said to him, Tell me, are you a Roman? He said, Yes.">Acts 22:27</a>; <a href="/acts/26-14.htm" title="And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me? it is hard for you to kick against the pricks.">Acts 26:14</a>, do we find the Hebrew form of the Benjamite name. It is as though he, who gloried in being above all things a Hebrew of the Hebrews, heard himself claimed as such by Him who spoke from heaven, called as Samuel had been called of old (<a href="/context/1_samuel/3-4.htm" title="That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.">1Samuel 3:4-8</a>), and having to decide whether he would resist to the end, or yield, saying with Samuel, "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth." The narrative implies that the persecutor saw the form of the Son of Man as well as heard His voice, and to that visible presence the Apostle afterwards refers as a witness to him of the Resurrection (<a href="/1_corinthians/9-1.htm" title="Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you my work in the Lord?">1Corinthians 9:1</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/15-8.htm" title="And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.">1Corinthians 15:8</a>). If we ask as to the manner of the appearance, it is natural to think of it as being such as had met the gaze of Stephen. The martyr's words, "I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (<a href="/acts/7-56.htm" title="And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.">Acts 7:56</a>), had then seemed to the fiery zeal of the Pharisee as those of a blasphemer. Now he too saw the Son of Man in the glory of the Father stretching forth His hand, not now, as He then had done, to receive the servant who was faithful even unto death, but, in answer to that servant's dying prayer, to transform the persecutor into the likeness of his victim. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Fell upon, for fell to, A.V. Some, as Lord Lytlelton and Lewin ('Life of St. Paul,' vol. 1. p. 48), from the expressions, "fell to the ground," "fell to the earth," infer that Saul was "himself mounted, and his followers some mounted and some on foot." And Farrar also, far other reasons, supposes that Saul and his companions rode horses or mules. The journey, he says, was nearly a hundred and fifty miles, and the roads rough, bad, and steep; and Saul was traveling as the legate or the high priest. Still it is strange that no one expression should point distinctly to the party being on horseback, which "falling to the earth," or "ground," certainly do not. While, on the other hand, the phrases, "Arise," "stood speechless," "led him by the hand," seem rather to point to his being on foot. Lunge well compares the double invocation, Saul, Saul! with those similar ones, "Abraham, Abraham!" "Samuel, Samuel!" "Jerusalem, Jerusalem!" "Simon, Simon!" (<a href="/genesis/22-11.htm">Genesis 22:11</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/3-10.htm">1 Samuel 3:10</a>; <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27</a>; <a href="/luke/22-31.htm">Luke 22:31</a>). <a href="/commentaries/acts/9-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>He fell πεσὼν (pesōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4098.htm">Strong's 4098: </a> A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall. to ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. ground γῆν (gēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1093.htm">Strong's 1093: </a> Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. [and] heard ἤκουσεν (ēkousen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. a voice φωνὴν (phōnēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5456.htm">Strong's 5456: </a> Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language. say λέγουσαν (legousan) Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. to him, αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “Saul, Σαοὺλ (Saoul) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4549.htm">Strong's 4549: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Saul, the Jewish name of Paul. Saul, Σαούλ (Saoul) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4549.htm">Strong's 4549: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Saul, the Jewish name of Paul. why τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. do you persecute διώκεις (diōkeis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1377.htm">Strong's 1377: </a> To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute. Me?” με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/9-4.htm">Acts 9:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/9-4.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 9:4 He fell on the earth and heard (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/9-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 9:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 9:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/9-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 9:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 9:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>