As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
Parallel translations
- WEB As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
- KJV And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
- NKJV As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
- NASB Now as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him;
- NLT As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
As Saul neared Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly blazed around him. The risen Lord breaks into his journey.
Overview
The dramatic light signals a direct intervention by the glorified Christ. Saul, intent on persecution, is arrested not by men but by God himself. This sudden encounter shows that conversion is ultimately God's sovereign work, breaking in on a hostile heart with overwhelming grace.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Acts 26:12–13In this pursuit I was on my way to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.
- 1 Cor 15:8And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth.
- Acts 22:6About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.
- Rev 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.
- 1 Tim 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.
- Ps 104:2He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
- 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.”
- Rev 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.
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 9:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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