Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ New Living Translation We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’ English Standard Version And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the 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.’ Berean Literal Bible And of all of us having fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' King James Bible 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. New King James Version And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ New American Standard Bible And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ NASB 1995 “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ NASB 1977 “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Legacy Standard Bible And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Amplified Bible And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice in the Hebrew dialect (Jewish Aramaic) saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick [repeatedly] against the goads [offering pointless resistance].’ Christian Standard Bible We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Holman Christian Standard Bible We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting 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. Contemporary English Version We all fell to the ground. Then I heard a voice say to me in Aramaic, "Saul, Saul, why are you so cruel to me? It's foolish to fight against me!" English Revised 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in Hebrew, 'Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It's hard for [a mortal like] you to resist God.' Good News Translation All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, 'Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me? You are hurting yourself by hitting back, like an ox kicking against its owner's stick.' International Standard Version "All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It is hurting you to keep on kicking against the cattle prods.' Majority 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.? NET Bible When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? You are hurting yourself by kicking against the goads.' New Heart English Bible When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' Webster's Bible Translation And when we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads. Weymouth New Testament We all fell to the ground; and I heard a voice which said to me in Hebrew, "'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? You are finding it painful to kick against the ox-goad.' World English Bible When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? [It is] hard for you to kick against goads! Berean Literal Bible And of all of us having fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' Young's Literal Translation and we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute? hard for thee against pricks to kick! Smith's Literal Translation And we having all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why drivest thou me out? hard for thee to kick against goads. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goad. Catholic Public Domain Version And when we had all fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.’ New American Bible We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.’ New Revised Standard Version When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen we all fell to the ground, then I heard a voice speaking unto me, in the Hebrew tongue (Ar-a-ma’ic), Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the pricks. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And we all fell upon the ground, and I heard a voice, which said to me in Judean Aramaic, “Shaul, Shaul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick the goads.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd when we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying, in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. Godbey New Testament and we all having fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue, Haweis New Testament And as we were all fallen prostrate on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saving in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is difficult for thee to kick against the goads. Mace New Testament we were all struck down: when I heard a voice directed to me pronounce these words in the Hebrew tongue, "Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? it is dangerous for thee to kick against the goad." Weymouth New Testament We all fell to the ground; and I heard a voice which said to me in Hebrew, "'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? You are finding it painful to kick against the ox-goad.' Worrell New Testament And, we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, Worsley New Testament And when we were all fallen down to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul's Testimony to Agrippa…13About 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. 14 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.’ 15‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.… Cross References Acts 9:4-5 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” / “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. Acts 22:7-8 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ / ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. 1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth. John 21:15-17 When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” / Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” / Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Luke 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! John 10:3-4 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. / When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. John 12:29 The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered. Others said that an angel had spoken to Him. Exodus 3:4 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 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!” Ezekiel 2:1 “Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” Genesis 46:2 And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. 1 Samuel 3:4-10 Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” / He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. / Once again the LORD called, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up, went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you have called me.” “My son, I did not call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” ... 2 Samuel 22:7 In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried out to my God. And from His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears. Treasury of Scripture 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. in. 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 22:2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) Saul. Acts 9:4,5 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? … Acts 22:7-9 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? … hard. Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. Zechariah 2:8 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. Zechariah 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. Jump to Previous Aramaic Attacking Cruelly Dialect Driving Earth Fallen Fell Finding Goad Goads Ground Hard Heard Hebrew Hurts Impulse Kick Language Ox-Goad Painful Persecute Persecutest Persecuting Pricks Saul Speaking Tongue VoiceJump to Next Aramaic Attacking Cruelly Dialect Driving Earth Fallen Fell Finding Goad Goads Ground Hard Heard Hebrew Hurts Impulse Kick Language Ox-Goad Painful Persecute Persecutest Persecuting Pricks Saul Speaking Tongue VoiceActs 26 1. Paul, in the presence of Agrippa, declares his life from his childhood;12. and how miraculously he was converted, and called to his apostleship. 24. Festus charges him with being insane, whereunto he answers modestly. 28. Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian. 31. The whole company pronounces him innocent. We all fell to the ground This phrase indicates a collective experience shared by Saul and his companions. The act of falling to the ground is often associated with a divine encounter or revelation in the Bible, symbolizing humility and the overwhelming presence of God. In the Greek, the word "fell" (πίπτω, piptō) suggests a sudden and involuntary action, emphasizing the power and authority of the divine presence that caused this reaction. Historically, such experiences are consistent with theophanies, where individuals are struck by the majesty and holiness of God. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. Saul/PaulOriginally known as Saul, he was a zealous Pharisee who persecuted Christians. After his conversion, he became Paul, a leading apostle spreading the Gospel. 2. Jesus The voice speaking to Saul is identified as Jesus, who confronts Saul about his persecution of Christians, indicating that such actions are against Jesus Himself. 3. The Road to Damascus This event occurs on the road to Damascus, where Saul was traveling to arrest Christians. It is a pivotal moment leading to his conversion. 4. The Companions Those traveling with Saul also fell to the ground, witnessing the event, though they did not hear the voice as Saul did. 5. The Goads A metaphor used by Jesus, referring to a sharp stick used to drive oxen, symbolizing the futility and pain of resisting divine will. Teaching Points Divine InterventionGod can intervene in the lives of even the most unlikely individuals, transforming them for His purposes. Saul's conversion is a testament to God's power and grace. Resistance to God's Will The metaphor of "kicking against the goads" illustrates the futility and self-inflicted pain of resisting God's direction. Believers are encouraged to submit to God's will. Personal Encounter with Christ Saul's experience underscores the importance of a personal encounter with Jesus, which can lead to profound life changes. Persecution of the Church Persecuting believers is equated with persecuting Christ Himself, highlighting the unity between Jesus and His followers. Transformation and Mission Saul's transformation into Paul demonstrates that God can use anyone, regardless of their past, to fulfill His mission.(14) It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.--See Note on Acts 9:5. Here there is no doubt as to the genuineness of the reading.Verse 14. - Saying unto me in the Hebrew language for speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, A.V. and T.R.; goad for pricks, A.V. I heard a voice saying, etc. (see Acts 9:7, note). In the Hebrew language. This is an additional detail not mentioned in Acts 9:4 or Acts 22:8; but recalled here, as tending to confirm St. Paul's claim to be a thorough Jew, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, and, moreover, to represent Christianity as a thing not alien from, but rather in thorough harmony with, the true national life and spirit of Israel. It is hard for thee to kick, etc. This, also, according to the best manuscripts, is an additional detail not mentioned before. The proverb Πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζειν, to kick against the ox-goads, as the unbroken bullock does to his own hurt, instead of quietly submitting, as he must do at last, to go the way and the pace his master chooses he should go, is found in Pindar, AEschylus, Euripides, Plautus, Terence, etc. The passages are given in Bochart, 'Hierozoicon.,' part 1. lib. it. Acts 39; in Kninoel, and in Bishop Wordsworth. The passage in Eurip., 'Baach,' 1. 793, 794 (750, 751), brings out the force of the proverb, viz. fruitless resistance to a superior power, most distinctly: "Better to sacrifice to him, than, being mortal, by vainly raging against God, to kick against the goads." Saul had better yield at once to the constraining grace of God, and no longer do despite to the Spirit of grace. It does not appear clearly that the proverb was used by the Hebrews. Dr. Donaldson ('Christian Orthodoxy,' p. 293) affirms that" there is no Jewish use of this proverbial expression." And this is borne out by Lightfoot, who adduces the two passages, Deuteronomy 32:15 and 1 Samuel 2:9, as the only evidences of the existence of such a proverb, together with a rabbinical saying, "R. Bibai sat and taught, and R. Isaac Ben Cahna kicked against him" ('Exereit. on Acts,' 9:5). It is, therefore, a curious question how this classical phrase came to be used here. Bishop Wordsworth says, "Even in heaven our Lord did not disdain to use a proverb familiar to the heathen world." But, perhaps, we may assume that such a proverb was substantially in use among the Jews, though no distinct evidence of it has been preserved; and that St. Paul, in rendering the Hebrew words of Jesus into Greek, made use of the language of Euripides, with which he was familiar, in a case bearing a strong analogy to his own, viz. the resistance of Pentheus to the claims of Bacchus. This is to a certain extent borne out by the use of the words θεομάχος and θεομαχεῖν (Acts 5:39; Acts 23:9); the latter of which is twice used in the 'Bacchae' of Euripides, though not common elsewhere. It is, however, found in 2 Macc. 7:19. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Weἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. all πάντων (pantōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. fell καταπεσόντων (katapesontōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 2667: To fall down, fall prostrate. From kata and pipto; to fall down. to εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: 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 Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. [and] I heard ἤκουσα (ēkousa) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. a voice φωνὴν (phōnēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 5456: 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 Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. to πρός (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. me με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. in τῇ (tē) Article - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Aramaic, Ἑβραΐδι (Hebraidi) Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 1446: The Hebrew language, or rather: Aramaic. From Eber; the Hebraistic or Jewish language. ‘Saul, Σαοὺλ (Saoul) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular Strong's 4549: Of Hebrew origin; Saul, the Jewish name of Paul. Saul, Σαούλ (Saoul) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular Strong's 4549: Of Hebrew origin; Saul, the Jewish name of Paul. why τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 5101: 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 Strong's 1377: 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 Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [It is] hard σκληρόν (sklēron) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 4642: Hard, violent, harsh, stern. From the base of skelos; dry, i.e. Hard or tough. for you σοι (soi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. to kick λακτίζειν (laktizein) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 2979: To kick. From adverb lax; to recalcitrate. against πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. [the] goads.? κέντρα (kentra) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 2759: A sting, goad; met: of death. From kenteo; a point, i.e. A sting or goad. Links Acts 26:14 NIVActs 26:14 NLT Acts 26:14 ESV Acts 26:14 NASB Acts 26:14 KJV Acts 26:14 BibleApps.com Acts 26:14 Biblia Paralela Acts 26:14 Chinese Bible Acts 26:14 French Bible Acts 26:14 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 26:14 When we had all fallen to (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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