Act 9:4-6 | RWP | e4.org | He fell upon the earth ( πεσων επ την γην ). Second aorist active participle. So in Paul says: "I fell unto the ground" ( επεσα εις το εδαφος ) using an old word rather than the common γην . In Paul states that "we were all fallen to the earth" ( παντων καταπεσοντων ημων εις την γην , genitive absolute construction). But here in verse "the men that journeyed with him stood speechless" ( ιστηκεισαν ενεο ). But surely the points of time are different. In Paul refers to the first appearance of the vision when all fell to the earth. Here in verse Luke refers to what occurred after the vision when both Saul and the men had risen from the ground. Saul, Saul ( Σαουλ, Σαουλ ). The Hebrew form occurs also in ; where it is expressly stated that the voice was in the Hebrew (Aramaic) tongue as also in (Ananias). Deissmann ( Bible Studies , p. 316) terms this use of Σαουλ "the historian's sense of liturgical rhythm." For the repetition of names by Jesus note (Martha, Martha), (Simon, Simon). Me ( με ). In persecuting the disciples, Saul was persecuting Jesus, as the words of Jesus in verse made plain. Christ had already spoken of the mystic union between himself and his followers ( ; , ; ). The proverb (Pindar) that Jesus quotes to Saul about kicking against the goad is genuine in , but not here.

‏ Acts 9:4-6

He fell upon the earth ( πεσων επ την γην ). Second aorist active participle. So in 22:7 Paul says: "I fell unto the ground" ( επεσα εις το εδαφος ) using an old word rather than the common γην. In 26:14 Paul states that "we were all fallen to the earth" ( παντων καταπεσοντων ημων εις την γην, genitive absolute construction). But here in verse 7 "the men that journeyed with him stood speechless" ( ιστηκεισαν ενεο ). But surely the points of time are different. In 26:14 Paul refers to the first appearance of the vision when all fell to the earth. Here in verse 7 Luke refers to what occurred after the vision when both Saul and the men had risen from the ground.

Saul, Saul ( Σαουλ, Σαουλ ). The Hebrew form occurs also in 22:7; 26:14 where it is expressly stated that the voice was in the Hebrew (Aramaic) tongue as also in 9:17 (Ananias). Deissmann (Bible Studies, p. 316) terms this use of Σαουλ "the historian's sense of liturgical rhythm." For the repetition of names by Jesus note Lu 10:41 (Martha, Martha), Lu 22:31 (Simon, Simon).

Me ( με ). In persecuting the disciples, Saul was persecuting Jesus, as the words of Jesus in verse 5 made plain. Christ had already spoken of the mystic union between himself and his followers (Mt 10:40; 25:40, 45; Joh 15:1-5). The proverb (Pindar) that Jesus quotes to Saul about kicking against the goad is genuine in 26:14, but not here.

Lord ( κυριε ). It is open to question if κυριε should not here be translated "Sir" as in 16:30 and in Mt 21:29, 30; Joh 5:7; 12:21; 20:15; and should be so in Joh 9:36. It is hardly likely that at this stage Saul recognized Jesus as Lord, though he does so greet him in 22:10 "What shall I do, Lord?" Saul may have recognized the vision as from God as Cornelius says "Lord" in 10:4. Saul surrendered instantly as Thomas did (Joh 20:28) and as little Samuel (1Sa 3:9). This surrender of the will to Christ was the conversion of Saul. He saw a real Person, the Risen Christ, to whom he surrendered his life. On this point he never wavered for a moment to the end.

The best MSS. do not have "trembling and astonished," and "What wilt thou have me to do, Lord?" The Textus Receptus put these words in here without the authority of a Greek codex. See 22:10 above for the genuine text.

It shall be told thee ( λαληθησετα ). Future passive indicative of λαλεω. It is hardly likely that Luke records all that Jesus said to Saul, but more was to come on his arrival in Damascus. Saul had received all that he could bear just now (Joh 16:12).

What ( οτ ). Rare in Koine use of this indefinite neuter relative in an indirect question, the only example in the N.T. (Robertson, Grammar, p. 731). Human agents like Ananias can finish what Jesus by supernatural manifestation has here begun in Saul.