Acts 22:6
New International Version
“About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.

New Living Translation
“As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me.

English Standard Version
“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.

Berean Standard Bible
About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.

Berean Literal Bible
But it happened to me, journeying and drawing near to Damascus about noon, that suddenly a great light out of heaven shone around me,

King James Bible
And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

New King James Version
“Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.

New American Standard Bible
“But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus at about noon, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me,

NASB 1995
“But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me,

NASB 1977
“And it came about that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me,

Legacy Standard Bible
“But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me,

Amplified Bible
“But as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a great blaze of light suddenly flashed from heaven and shone around me.

Christian Standard Bible
“As I was traveling and approaching Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

Contemporary English Version
One day about noon I was getting close to Damascus, when a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"But as I was on my way and approaching the city of Damascus about noon, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.

Good News Translation
"As I was traveling and coming near Damascus, about midday a bright light from the sky flashed suddenly around me.

International Standard Version
"But while I was on my way and approaching Damascus about noon, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.

Majority Standard Bible
About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.

NET Bible
As I was en route and near Damascus, about noon a very bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.

New Heart English Bible
It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky a great light around me.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, that as I was passing on my journey, and had come nigh to Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light around me.

Weymouth New Testament
"But on my way, when I was now not far from Damascus, about noon a sudden blaze of light from Heaven shone round me.

World English Bible
“As I made my journey and came close to Damascus, about noon suddenly a great light shone around me from the sky.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and it came to pass, in my going on and coming near to Damascus, about noon, suddenly out of Heaven there shone a great light around me;

Berean Literal Bible
But it happened to me, journeying and drawing near to Damascus about noon, that suddenly a great light out of heaven shone around me,

Young's Literal Translation
and it came to pass, in my going on and coming nigh to Damascus, about noon, suddenly out of the heaven there shone a great light round about me,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it was to me going, and drawing near to Damascus about noon, suddenly much light from heaven flashed around me,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass, as I was going, and drawing nigh to Damascus at midday, that suddenly from heaven there shone round about me a great light:

Catholic Public Domain Version
But it happened that, as I was traveling and was approaching Damascus at midday, suddenly from heaven a great light shone around me.

New American Bible
“On that journey as I drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from the sky suddenly shone around me.

New Revised Standard Version
“While I was on my way and approaching Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass as I drew near to Damascus, at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone round about me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And as I was going and began to approach Darmsuq at midday, under a quiet sky, a great light burst upon me.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But it came to pass, that, as I was on my journey, and was drawing near to Damascus, about midday, there suddenly shone from heaven a great light round about me;

Godbey New Testament
And it came to pass, while I was journeying, and nigh unto Damascus, a great light, about midday, suddenly shone from heaven around me;

Haweis New Testament
But as I went and drew nigh to Damascus, at noon-day, suddenly there shone a great light from heaven around me.

Mace New Testament
as I was upon the road, advanc'd near Damascus, about mid-day, all of a sudden a great light from heaven broke all around me.

Weymouth New Testament
"But on my way, when I was now not far from Damascus, about noon a sudden blaze of light from Heaven shone round me.

Worrell New Testament
And it came to pass, that, as I was journeying, and was drawing nigh to Damascus, about midday, there suddenly flashed around me a great light out of the heaven;

Worsley New Testament
And it came to pass that as I was on my journey and drew nigh to Damascus, about mid-day, on a sudden a great light from heaven shone round about me:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Defense to the Crowd
5as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished. 6About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’…

Cross References
Acts 9:3
As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

Acts 26:12-13
In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. / About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions.

1 Corinthians 15:8
And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth.

Galatians 1:15-16
But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased / to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,

1 Timothy 1:12-16
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service. / I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy. / And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...

2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:6-7
as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. / But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.

John 12:29
The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him.

Matthew 17:5-6
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” / When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror.

Luke 24:4
While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them.

Exodus 3:2-6
There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. / So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?” / 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. ...

Isaiah 6:1-5
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” ...

Ezekiel 1:28
The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Daniel 10:7-9
Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves. / So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. / I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

Genesis 15:12
As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and suddenly great terror and darkness overwhelmed him.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come near to Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

that.

that.

Acts 9:3-5
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: …

Acts 26:12
Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

Damascus.

Genesis 14:15
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

Genesis 15:2
And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

2 Samuel 8:6
Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

about.

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.

Isaiah 24:23
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.

Matthew 17:2
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

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Approaching Blaze Bright Close Damascus Drawing Drew Far Flashed Great Heaven Journey Journeying Light Middle Nigh Noon Noontime Passing Round Shining Shone Sky Sudden Suddenly Way
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Approaching Blaze Bright Close Damascus Drawing Drew Far Flashed Great Heaven Journey Journeying Light Middle Nigh Noon Noontime Passing Round Shining Shone Sky Sudden Suddenly Way
Acts 22
1. Paul declares how he was converted to the faith,
17. and called to his apostleship.
22. At the very mentioning of the Gentiles the people exclaim on him.
24. He would have been scourged;
25. but claiming the privilege of a Roman, he escapes.














About noon
The phrase "about noon" indicates the time of day when the event occurred. In the Jewish context, noon was the sixth hour of the day, a time when the sun is at its zenith. This detail underscores the miraculous nature of the event, as the brightness of the light that Paul describes would have been even more striking against the backdrop of the midday sun. The Greek word used here is "mesēmbria," which emphasizes the specific time, highlighting the divine intervention in Paul's life at a moment when natural light was at its peak.

as I was approaching Damascus
This phrase situates the event geographically and contextually. Damascus was a significant city in ancient Syria, known for its trade and cultural influence. Paul, formerly Saul, was on his way to persecute Christians, as he had been given authority by the high priests. The journey to Damascus symbolizes Paul's misguided zeal and his intent to suppress the early Christian movement. The Greek word "eggizō" (approaching) suggests a sense of imminence and anticipation, setting the stage for the transformative encounter that was about to occur.

a bright light
The "bright light" is a central element of this verse, representing the divine presence and glory of God. In biblical literature, light often symbolizes purity, truth, and revelation. The Greek word "phōs" is used here, which is frequently associated with divine illumination and the presence of God. This light was not just a physical phenomenon but a spiritual revelation that would change the course of Paul's life and, subsequently, the history of Christianity.

from heaven
The origin of the light "from heaven" signifies its divine source. Heaven, in biblical terms, is the dwelling place of God, and anything emanating from it carries divine authority and purpose. The Greek word "ouranos" is used, which can refer to the sky or the abode of God. This heavenly light indicates that the message and the encounter were not of human origin but were orchestrated by God Himself, affirming the divine nature of Paul's calling.

suddenly
The word "suddenly" conveys the unexpected and immediate nature of the event. The Greek word "exaiphnēs" suggests an abruptness that leaves no room for preparation or anticipation. This suddenness highlights the sovereign initiative of God in intervening in Paul's life. It serves as a reminder that God's actions can be swift and transformative, often occurring when least expected, to fulfill His divine purposes.

flashed around me
The phrase "flashed around me" describes the encompassing and overwhelming nature of the light. The Greek word "periastraptō" indicates a light that surrounds and engulfs, leaving no part of Paul untouched. This imagery suggests a total and consuming encounter with the divine, one that envelops Paul entirely, signifying the comprehensive nature of God's call and the complete transformation that Paul would undergo as a result of this divine intervention.

(6) About noon.--The special note of the hour is not given in Acts 9:3, and may fairly be taken as characteristic of a personal recollection of the circumstances of the great event.

Verse 6. - Drew nigh for was come nigh, A.V. The phraseology of the following narrative is nearly identical with that of Acts 9:3-6 (where see notes).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
About
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

noon
μεσημβρίαν (mesēmbrian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3314: From mesos and hemera; midday; by implication, the south.

[as]
Ἐγένετο (Egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

I
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

was approaching
ἐγγίζοντι (engizonti)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1448: Trans: I bring near; intrans: I come near, approach. From eggus; to make near, i.e. approach.

Damascus,
Δαμασκῷ (Damaskō)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1154: Damascus. Of Hebrew origin; Damascus, a city of Syria.

suddenly
ἐξαίφνης (exaiphnēs)
Adverb
Strong's 1810: Suddenly, unexpectedly. From ek and the base of aiphnidios; of a sudden.

a bright
ἱκανὸν (hikanon)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2425: From hiko; competent, i.e. Ample or fit.

light
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

heaven
οὐρανοῦ (ouranou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

flashed
περιαστράψαι (periastrapsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4015: To flash (gleam) around like lightning. From peri and astrapto; to flash all around, i.e. Envelop in light.

around
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

me.
ἐμέ (eme)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Apostles: Acts 22:6 It happened that as I made my (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
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