Acts 9 5

Acts 9:5 kjv

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Acts 9:5 nkjv

And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."

Acts 9:5 niv

"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.

Acts 9:5 esv

And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

Acts 9:5 nlt

"Who are you, lord?" Saul asked. And the voice replied, "I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!

Acts 9 verses

Acts 9 5 Meaning

Saul, startled by a heavenly light and voice, inquires about the speaker's identity. The voice reveals itself as Jesus, emphasizing that Saul's persecution of believers is a direct persecution of Christ Himself. The statement concludes with a proverbial warning that resisting divine will is futile and self-destructive, likening it to an ox stubbornly kicking against its guiding goad.

Acts 9 5 Context

Acts 9:5 occurs during the pivotal moment of Saul's conversion. Previously, Saul (also known as Paul) was a fervent Pharisee, aggressively persecuting the early Christian community, considering them a heretical sect dangerous to Judaism (Acts 8:3, Gal 1:13-14). He had consented to Stephen's stoning (Acts 7:58) and was actively traveling to Damascus with official letters to arrest followers of Jesus (Acts 9:1-2). This verse describes the direct, electrifying encounter when a blinding light from heaven struck him, and he heard a voice speaking to him. Saul, completely overwhelmed and temporarily blinded, poses his question to this unknown powerful entity. Jesus' reply, as captured in this verse, completely shatters Saul's understanding, revealing the truth of Jesus' living reality and His deep unity with His followers, dramatically initiating Saul's transformation from persecutor to apostle. The narrative is so foundational that Paul recounts it twice later in his defenses (Acts 22:6-11, 26:12-18), with Acts 26:14 confirming the 'pricks' proverb. Historically, the proverb about 'kicking against the pricks' was common in the Greek and Roman world, familiar to listeners as a metaphor for useless, self-injurious opposition to superior power or destiny, thus resonating with a wide audience.

Acts 9 5 Word analysis

• And he said, Who art thou, Lord?

  • And he said: Reflects Saul's immediate reaction and direct interaction. This powerful heavenly encounter evokes an instant, instinctive question from him.
  • Who art thou?: τίς εἶ (tis ei). A cry of disorientation and humble inquiry. Saul, a learned Pharisee, finds himself confronted by an unknown power, compelling him to seek identification. This marks his immediate shift from aggression to awe.
  • Lord?: Κύριε (Kyrie). While often a respectful address like "sir" or "master," in this context, directed at a heavenly voice and light, it implies recognition of immense, supernatural authority and power. Saul acknowledges the divine nature of the speaker even before knowing who it is. This is a foundational step toward his later confession of Jesus as his personal Lord.

• And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:

  • And the Lord said: ὁ δὲ Κύριος εἶπεν (ho de Kyrios eipen). This confirms the speaker's divine status as 'Lord,' fulfilling Saul's implicit acknowledgment and validating his usage of 'Kyrie'.
  • I am Jesus: Ἐγώ εἰμι Ἰησοῦς (Ego eimi Iēsous). This declaration is profoundly shocking to Saul. "Ego eimi" echoes divine pronouncements in the Old Testament (e.g., Yahweh's "I AM" in Exo 3:14) and New Testament (Jesus' self-claims in John). It declares divine self-existence and sovereign identity. For Saul, who viewed Jesus as an executed criminal, hearing this name from such an exalted source irrevocably challenged his entire worldview. The name 'Jesus' means 'The Lord Saves', highlighting the identity of the One Saul sought to eliminate.
  • whom thou persecutest: ὃν σὺ διώκεις (hon sy diōkeis). This is the absolute core of the revelation for Saul. It establishes an intimate, inseparable link between Christ and His followers, teaching that to persecute believers is to persecute Christ Himself. This truth laid the groundwork for Paul's later theology of the church as the body of Christ (e.g., 1 Cor 12:27, Col 1:18). The present tense emphasizes the ongoing nature of Saul's harmful actions.

• it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

  • it is hard: σκληρόν (sklēron). Meaning "difficult, harsh, unyielding." It signifies the painful and ultimately futile nature of Saul's resistance.
  • for thee: σοι (soi). Specifically targets Saul, personalizing the warning.
  • to kick: λακτίζειν (laktizein). Refers to an ox or animal rebelliously striking out with its hooves. It implies irrational, aggressive resistance.
  • against the pricks: πρὸς κέντρα (pros kentra). "Pricks" or κέντρα (kentra) are 'goads'—sharp sticks used by farmers to prod and guide livestock. An animal that kicks against the goad only ends up hurting itself more. This ancient proverb (found in Greek literature like Aeschylus and Euripides) illustrates the utter foolishness of resisting a superior, controlling power. Saul, despite his fierce zeal, was actively fighting against God's divine will, inflicting spiritual harm upon himself and working against God's saving plan.

Acts 9 5 Bonus section

• The fuller version of Acts 9:5, including the proverb about "kicking against the pricks," is consistently present in Paul's later accounts of his conversion in Acts 22:10 and Acts 26:14, particularly the latter. This strong corroboration in other Pauline speeches solidifies the historical and theological weight of this entire declaration, irrespective of certain textual variants in Acts 9:5 itself. Its presence reflects a key aspect of Paul's understanding of his conversion.
• Saul's question "Who art thou, Lord?" moves from initial awe to specific identity. The shift from a generic recognition of authority (Kyrie) to the direct personal name "Jesus" followed by the explicit charge "whom thou persecutest" constitutes a precise and highly personal revelation intended solely for Saul.
• This verse stands as an iconic moment in redemptive history, representing a complete spiritual turnaround orchestrated solely by divine intervention. It serves as an encouragement that no heart is too hard for God to reach and transform.

Acts 9 5 Commentary

Acts 9:5 encapsulates the transformative encounter between the living Christ and His most ardent human opponent. Saul's desperate "Who art thou, Lord?" receives the devastatingly simple, yet profound, reply, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." This declaration demolishes Saul's theology and mission by identifying the persecuted Nazarene with the heavenly voice, linking the suffering Church intrinsically with Christ Himself. This fundamental truth—that Christ is mystically one with His body, the Church—would become a cornerstone of Pauline theology. The accompanying proverb, "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks," serves as a direct rebuke and warning. It signifies the futility and self-destructive nature of Saul's misguided zeal; he was actively resisting the very God he claimed to serve, inadvertently injuring himself spiritually by his stubborn rebellion against divine purpose. This verse powerfully illustrates sovereign grace breaking through vehement resistance, turning a persecutor into the primary apostle to the Gentiles, and underscores the futility of human opposition to God's ultimate plan. It highlights that the spiritual battle is often against self-inflicted wounds when fighting against God.