Acts 26 14

Acts 26:14 kjv

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 26:14 nkjv

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.'

Acts 26:14 niv

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.'

Acts 26:14 esv

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.'

Acts 26:14 nlt

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. '

Acts 26 verses

Acts 26 14 Meaning

Acts 26:14 narrates a pivotal moment in Paul's conversion, as he recounts the Damascus Road encounter before King Agrippa. The verse details Paul and his companions falling to the ground during a blinding light, followed by a divine voice speaking in Aramaic. The core message conveyed by the voice to Saul (Paul's former name) is a profound rhetorical question, "Why persecutest thou me?", immediately followed by a proverbial warning: "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." This latter statement highlights the futility and pain of resisting God's divine will and purpose, likening Saul's vehement opposition to Christ and His followers to an ox stubbornly injuring itself by kicking against the sharp goad used to direct it. The voice unequivocally links persecution of believers with direct persecution of Christ Himself.

Acts 26 14 Context

Acts 26 recounts Paul's defense before King Agrippa II, Bernice, and Festus in Caesarea. Paul, accused by Jewish leaders of profaning the temple and inciting insurrection, stands trial. Rather than focusing on legal arguments, Paul uses this opportunity to boldly proclaim the Gospel, sharing his dramatic personal testimony. Verse 14 is a critical part of his conversion narrative, establishing the divine authority and irresistible call that changed his life. This speech aims to persuade Agrippa of the truth of Christ and Paul's blamelessness in light of his mission, emphasizing that his actions are not rooted in madness but in genuine conviction of Jesus' resurrection and fulfilled prophecy.

Historically, this defense takes place around 59-60 AD. Paul, a Roman citizen, appeals to Caesar (Acts 25:11), necessitating this hearing before Roman and Jewish authorities. Paul strategically chooses to recount the Damascus Road event, which was well-known among early Christians and provided powerful evidence of God's direct intervention. By stating Jesus spoke "in the Hebrew tongue" (likely Aramaic), Paul appeals to the Jewish heritage and understanding of his audience, including Agrippa. The proverb of kicking against the goads would also resonate with his Hellenistic audience, familiar with its usage in classical literature.

Acts 26 14 Word analysis

• And when we were all fallen to the earth: This phrase emphasizes the sudden, overwhelming nature of the divine appearance, affecting everyone present, not just Saul. The communal experience adds weight to Paul's testimony.

• I heard a voice speaking unto me: While others fell, only Saul specifically hears and comprehends the words, signifying a direct, personal call from God for his unique mission.

• and saying in the Hebrew tongue (τῇ Ἑβραΐδι διαλέκτῳ - tē Hebraidi dialektō): Refers to Aramaic, the common Semitic language spoken by Jews in first-century Judea. This detail confirms the authenticity and intimacy of the revelation for Paul and adds authority to his account when speaking to Jewish audiences, suggesting a divine encounter understood within their cultural and linguistic framework.

• Saul, Saul (Σαοὺλ Σαούλ - Saoul Saoul): The repetition of the name is a Hebraic idiom denoting intense emotion, urgency, or significant address, often signaling a crucial turning point or divine warning/call (e.g., "Abraham, Abraham," "Martha, Martha"). It conveys profound divine concern and immediacy directed at Paul.

• why persecutest thou me? (τί με διώκεις; - ti me diōkeis?): A direct, penetrating question from Jesus. It reveals Jesus' deep identification with His followers; persecution of His Church is viewed as persecution of Christ Himself, highlighting the unity between Christ and His body, the Church.

• it is hard for thee (σκληρόν σοι - sklēron soi): The Greek word "sklēron" means "hard," "difficult," or "harsh." It implies not just physical difficulty but also spiritual and moral futility or stubbornness. It underscores the pain and lack of success in resisting divine power.

• to kick (λακτίζειν - laktizein): An infinitive verb meaning "to kick," specifically referring to an animal stubbornly kicking backward with its heels, often used for an ox resisting a goad. It signifies rebellious and futile resistance.

• against the pricks (πρὸς κέντρα - pros kentra): "Kentra" (plural of kentron) refers to "goads" or "stings." A "goad" was a sharp stick used to prod, guide, and compel oxen or other draft animals. Kicking against it only results in the animal harming itself without escaping the master's will. The phrase embodies an ancient proverb found in various classical Greek works (e.g., Aeschylus, Euripides).

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?": This question exposes the ultimate target of Paul's misguided zeal—not merely human beings, but the living Christ Himself. It emphasizes Christ's presence within His persecuted Church.
  • "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks": This proverbial saying encapsulates the foolishness, futility, and self-inflicted harm of resisting divine will. It suggests that Paul's persecution, while seemingly effective, was actually a painful and pointless struggle against an irresistible force. It might imply an inner conflict or conscience-pricking that Paul was experiencing even before this encounter, recognizing the ultimate divine force he was fighting against.

Acts 26 14 Bonus section

The phrase "kick against the pricks" implies a process of divine nudging and resistance that preceded Paul's full conversion. While his persecution was fervent, it's plausible that moments or convictions challenged his stance, acting as these "goads." For example, the steadfast faith of the martyrs like Stephen, or the very message of Jesus he sought to stamp out, might have been those spiritual pricks. The futility described in the proverb highlights that human power, intellect, or zealous efforts, no matter how intense, are ultimately impotent against the unfolding purposes of God. The only outcome of such resistance is self-inflicted pain and eventual submission or ruin. This truth remains relevant: attempts to oppose Christ's will, individually or corporately, will always prove futile and cause more harm to the resistors than to God's ultimate plan. God's grace, however, is such that even hardened hearts can be turned, as exemplified by Paul’s radical transformation.

Acts 26 14 Commentary

Acts 26:14 marks the climactic moment of Paul’s conversion account, distilling profound theological truths into a concise yet powerful message. The repeated "Saul, Saul" underscores divine urgency and a personal appeal, indicating a preordained confrontation with Jesus' lordship. Jesus' identification of Himself with His persecuted Church ("why persecutest thou me?") is foundational, highlighting the unbreakable bond between Christ and His body (Col 1:18). This principle teaches believers that any act against the Church is directly against its Head, the Lord Jesus.

The proverb, "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks," speaks volumes about the nature of God's sovereignty and the futility of human resistance. Like an ox that injures itself by obstinately kicking against the sharp goad designed to guide it, Saul's relentless persecution of Christians only resulted in his own spiritual distress and opposition to God’s plan, rather than hindering the Gospel’s advance. It implies that Paul was not acting with a clear conscience; perhaps, Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 7:54-60) and the unwavering faith of other Christians served as spiritual "goads," pricking his heart and revealing the spiritual cost of his path, even though he genuinely believed he was serving God. This confrontation illustrates that true repentance often comes from encountering the inescapable truth and authority of Christ, revealing the hardness of heart that resists divine leading.