And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Parallel translations
- WEB As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
- BSB As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
- ESV Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.
- 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 quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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 26:12–13Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
- 1 Cor 15:8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
- Acts 22:6And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
- Rev 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
- 1 Tim 6:16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
- Ps 104:2Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
- Acts 9:17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
- Rev 22:5And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.