Acts 9:3

Acts 9:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
• New International Version (NIV)As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.

Context of Acts 9:3

1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest 2and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” 5“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied.

Acts 9:3 word by word

ἐν δὲ τῷ πορεύεσθαι ἐγένετο αὐτὸν ἐγγίζειν τῇ Δαμασκῷ, ἐξαίφνης τε αὐτὸν περιήστραψεν φῶς ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ·Read the interlinear

• ·δέde · thenG1161
• ·γίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• ·αὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• drew nearἐγγίζωeggizō · to come nearG1448
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• to DamascusΔαμασκόςDamaskos · DamascusG1154
• onἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• his journeyπορεύωporeuomai · to travelG4198
• suddenlyἐξαίφνηςexaiphnēs · suddenlyG1810
• ·τεte · and/bothG5037
• a lightφῶςphōs · lightG5457
• fromἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772
• flashed aroundπεριαστράπτωperiastraptō · to shineG4015

Cross-references for Acts 9:3

• Acts 9:17So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
• Acts 22:6About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.
• Acts 26:12In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.
• 1 Corinthians 15:8And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth.
• Psalms 104:2He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
• 1 Timothy 6:16He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
• Revelation 21:23And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
• Revelation 22:5There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

Commentaries on Acts 9:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3Suddenly there shined round about him - This might have been an extraordinary flash of the electric fluid, accompanied with thunder, with which God chose to astonish and confound Saul and his company; but so modified it as to prevent it from striking them dead. Thunder would naturally follow such a large quantity of this fluid as appears to have been disengaged at this time; and out of this thunder, or immediately after it, Christ spoke in an awful and…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3And as he journeyed - On his way, or while he was traveling. The place where this occurred is not known. Irby and Mangles say it is “outside the eastern gate.” In the Boat and Caravan it is described as about a mile from the town, and near the Christian burying-ground which belongs to the Armenians. All that we know of it is that it was near to Damascus. And suddenly - Like a flash of lightning. There shined round about him … - The language which is…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-19The conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road is central to the story in Acts. Luke tells the story three times (also 22:1–21; 26:1–29). Paul (Saul) mentions this experience several times in his letters (1 Corinthians 15:8–10; Galatians 1:11–17; Philippians 3:4–11; see 1 Timothy 1:12–17). Saul’s conversion was his call as a prophet and commission as an apostle (Acts 9:15; 22:15, 21; 26:15–18). No one is beyond God's power to reach, save, and use…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. he came near Damascus--so Ac 22:6. Tradition points to a bridge near the city as the spot referred to. Events which are the turning points in one's history so imprint themselves upon the memory that circumstances the most trifling in themselves acquire by connection with them something of their importance, and are recalled with inexpressible interest. suddenly--At what time of day, it is not said; for artless simplicity reigns here. But he himself…Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 9:3

• Bigotry
• Converts
• Heart
• Jesus, the Christ
• Light
• Miracles
• Paul
• Persecution
• Regeneration
• Syria
• Vision

In the dictionaries

• Damascus
• Apostle
• Authority
• Confound
• Forthwith
• Kick
• Resurrection of Christ
• Acts of the Apostles
• Ascension
• Chronology of the New Testament

Commentaries on Acts 9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings