Acts 9:4
Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And he fell to the earth - Being struck down with the lightning: many persons suppose he was on horseback, and painters thus represent him; but this is utterly without foundation. Painters are, in almost every case, wretched commentators.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
he fell to the earth--and his companions with him (Act 26:14), who "saw the light" (Act 22:9). and heard a voice saying unto him--"in the Hebrew tongue" (Act 26:14). Saul, Saul--a reduplication full of tenderness [DE WETTE]. Though his name was soon changed into "Paul," we find him, in both his own narratives of the scene, after the lapse of so many years, retaining the original form, as not daring to alter, in the smallest detail, the overpowering words addressed to him. why persecutest thou me?--No language can express the affecting character of this question, addressed from the right hand of the Majesty on high to an infuriated, persecuting mortal. (See Mat 25:45, and that whole judgment scene).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he fell to the earth,.... Not being able to bear the light, and still less the divine glory and majesty which he perceived was present; and therefore, in great confusion, amazement, and fear, he fell with his face to the ground, and lay there prostrate and so did also those that were with him, Act 26:14 and heard a voice, saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? this voice was the real voice of Christ in his human nature, and who visibly and in person appeared, and was seen by the apostle; Act 26:16 the language he spoke in was the Hebrew tongue, and he calls him by his Hebrew name Saul, and which is doubled to denote vehemency and affection; See Gill on Luk 22:31 he knew him as one of his sheep, though straying, and calls him by name, and expostulates with him, wherefore he should persecute him in his members as he did; for the union between Christ and his people is so close, that what is done to them is done to him. There seems to be a considerable emphasis on the word "me"; "me", who have been they surety from everlasting; "me", who hath loved thee and given myself for thee; "me", who have shed my blood, laid down my life, and died for thee; "me", who am now at my Father's right hand, interceding for thee, that grace might be bestowed upon thee, the set time being now come.
Acts 9:4
The Road to Damascus
3As 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?”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Esther - Prayer Meeting
By Leonard Ravenhill9.2K1:07:21BrokennessEXO 32:11EXO 32:22MAT 22:14MRK 1:17ACT 9:4In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a fixed heart in times of trouble. He warns that America is heading towards serious trouble and those whose hearts are not fixed will go to pieces. The preacher encourages believers to trust in God and not fear man, even in the face of persecution. He also highlights the story of Daniel and the lions, illustrating how God can shut the mouths of the lions and protect His faithful servants. The sermon concludes with a mention of a man who is prepared to pay a large sum of money, emphasizing the concept of talents as money in the biblical context.
Eternity
By Leonard Ravenhill4.6K28:52EternityPSA 90:12ACT 9:4ROM 1:14ROM 3:23PHP 3:7HEB 11:33The sermon transcript discusses the urgency of preaching the gospel of the kingdom in every land before the glorious day of the son of Manuel's appearance. It emphasizes the need to save the souls of the lost, as a thousand million souls are being lost every day. The sermon also highlights the concept of eternity and its impact on motivating believers to work for God. The theme of judgment is explored through a poem that depicts the consequences faced by different individuals, including the rich, the great, the gambler, and the model man, in the afterlife. The sermon concludes with a plea for repentance and salvation before it is too late.
Vision for the Unsaved World - Part 1
By Leonard Ravenhill2.0K1:07:19Unsaved WorldISA 6:5ISA 6:7ACT 9:4ROM 8:28In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of vision for the church in the present time. He refers to Jesus' statement about the church being poor, wretched, naked, and blind, and highlights the need for a vision to overcome these shortcomings. The speaker mentions that vision is the combination of a task and a vision, which can make someone a missionary. He also shares the story of Isaiah's vision of the Lord, emphasizing the need to focus on God rather than earthly kings or worldly things.
(Genesis) - Part 20
By Zac Poonen1.8K58:29GenesisGEN 22:13EXO 3:41SA 3:10LUK 10:41LUK 22:11LUK 22:31ACT 9:4In this sermon, the speaker discusses six instances in the Bible where God calls individuals by repeating their names. The first instance is in Genesis 22, where God calls Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. The second instance is in Genesis 46, where God calls Jacob to go down to Egypt. The third instance is in Exodus 3, where God calls Moses through the burning bush to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. The fourth instance is in 1 Samuel 3, where God calls the young boy Samuel while he is sleeping. The speaker emphasizes the importance of obedience and sacrificial obedience in following God's call, and highlights how God provides in miraculous ways, often at the last second. The speaker encourages listeners to seek the kingdom of God first and trust in His provision.
God Carries His People
By Charles Leiter1.4K38:15DEU 1:19DEU 1:30ISA 40:11ISA 63:9ACT 9:4In this sermon, the preacher addresses a crowd of believers and warns them not to be shocked or fearful when faced with opposition and persecution. He reminds them that God has been with them in the past and will continue to be with them in the future. The preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing and remembering the supernatural and miraculous things that God has done for them. He also highlights the image of God carrying and protecting His people, comparing it to a father carrying his son. The sermon concludes with a rebuke against those who would accuse God of bringing them to difficult situations out of hatred.
The Christian Mindset - Part 5
By Art Katz1.4K39:08MindsetACT 9:4In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the power and importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He describes a powerful atmosphere in the room as the words of the sermon penetrate the hearts of the listeners. The speaker also highlights the responsibility and judgment that individuals have in responding to the message of the gospel. He mentions a disturbing situation where children are being taken away from their Christian parents in Russia due to the belief that their faith is irrational and fanatical. The sermon concludes with a challenge for the church to proclaim the message of repentance to this generation, as time is running out and the purpose of human existence is being fulfilled.
The Mystery of Incarnation (8 of 9)
By Art Katz1.3K1:03:37IncarnationJHN 3:3ACT 9:4ACT 9:6In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of relying on God's guidance and the leading of the Holy Spirit in preaching, teaching, witnessing, and praying. The speaker highlights the need for a living God who can provide the necessary words and insights in the moment. The sermon also touches on the idea that God's work is appointed and established before the foundations of the world, and that believers are called to be part of a composite glory for which God waits. The speaker encourages seeking the root causes of issues and healing them in order to fully manifest the sons of God.
O America, America
By Dan Biser80248:132SA 18:33ISA 21:11MAT 26:41LUK 13:34ACT 9:4This sermon emphasizes the urgency for prayer, repentance, and seeking God's intervention in the face of societal decline and moral decay. It draws parallels from biblical stories like David and Absalom, highlighting the consequences of sin and the need for heartfelt, persistent prayer. The speaker calls for a deep, prevailing prayer that pleads for God's mercy and revival, stressing the importance of humbling ourselves before God and seeking His help in a time of spiritual crisis.
The Ultimate Conversion
By Danny Bond56844:48ACT 6:10ACT 9:4In this sermon, the speaker describes a man who was physically unattractive and had a funny appearance. Despite his appearance, this man had a great intellect and was used by God in a powerful way. The speaker encourages the audience to not be discouraged by their own physical appearance or shortcomings, as God can still use them. The sermon also discusses the conversion of this man, who was blinded by the light of Jesus and had a life-changing encounter with Him.
On Eagles' Wings Pt 102
By Don Courville32528:56Radio ShowJON 2:2MAT 5:23MAT 22:39ACT 9:4PHP 3:13In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is in control of our lives and circumstances. He urges listeners to be content with God's will and to die to themselves daily. The story of Jonah is used as an example of someone who forgot to die and experienced negative consequences. The preacher encourages forgiveness and letting go of past grievances, highlighting the importance of living in truth and having a right attitude towards others.
The Path of Surrender
By David Wilkerson0True Success in GodSurrenderACT 9:4David Wilkerson emphasizes the transformative journey of surrender through the example of Paul, who was dramatically converted on the road to Damascus. Paul, initially self-assured and misguided, encountered Jesus and realized the emptiness of his previous ambitions. His heart's cry became one of total surrender, seeking to know and please Christ above all else. Wilkerson reminds us that true success in God's eyes is not measured by worldly achievements but by the condition of our hearts and our willingness to follow His will. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to evaluate their lives and ambitions in light of their surrender to God.
Those Who Strike at God's Eyes
By Thomas Brooks0PersecutionDivine ProtectionPSA 17:8ZEC 2:8MAT 25:40JHN 15:20ACT 9:4ROM 12:192TH 1:6HEB 13:31PE 5:7REV 6:10Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound connection between God and His people, illustrating that those who harm God's followers are, in essence, striking at God Himself. He draws from Zechariah 2:8 to highlight the sacredness of God's people, likening them to the apple of His eye, which is fiercely protected. Brooks warns persecutors that their actions against believers will not go unpunished, as God is deeply aware of their suffering and will respond with justice. He reminds us that Christ, in His glorified state, continues to bear the griefs of His saints, reinforcing the intimate bond between Him and His followers. The sermon serves as a stern warning to those who afflict God's people, urging them to reconsider their actions.
The Mighty Conqueror
By Robert Murray M'Cheyne0The Kingly Office of ChristChrist's SovereigntyISA 10:5MAT 28:18MRK 5:35JHN 1:1ACT 9:4EPH 1:22COL 2:15HEB 1:6REV 1:5REV 19:17Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the ultimate authority of Christ as the King of kings and Lord of lords, highlighting the final conflict between Christ and the world regarding His kingly office. He discusses the three crowns Christ wears: His mediatorial crown over all creation, His crown over the visible Church, and His crown over the redeemed. M'Cheyne reassures believers of Christ's sovereignty and power, which brings comfort, while warning the unrepentant of the consequences of opposing Him. He calls for a defense of Christ's kingly authority, especially in the face of modern challenges to His rule. The sermon serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing Christ's dominion in all aspects of life.
Homily 2 on Eutropius
By St. John Chrysostom0MAT 4:19MAT 9:9LUK 23:43ACT 9:4ROM 8:321CO 3:121CO 15:412TI 4:7John Chrysostom preaches about the beauty of the soul and the importance of obedience to God as the true source of grace. He emphasizes that corporeal beauty is fixed by nature, while spiritual beauty of the soul, such as temperance, love, and righteousness, is a result of moral disposition and obedience to God. Chrysostom uses the analogy of a bride adorned with a vesture woven with gold to illustrate the transformation of the ungraceful soul into one full of grace through obedience and faith. He urges the congregation to forget their past sins and worldly attachments, and to focus on cultivating inner beauty that pleases the King, symbolizing God's desire for a soul adorned with virtues.
Exposition on Psalm 124
By St. Augustine0PSA 123:1PSA 124:2ACT 9:4St. Augustine preaches on the Psalms, emphasizing the unity of believers in Christ as one body with Christ as the Head, even in the face of trials and persecutions. He reflects on the martyrs who have gone before us, singing praises to God for their deliverance and longing for the incorruptible bodies promised to them. Augustine highlights the importance of having the Lord within us, as it is He who sustains and protects us from the snares and temptations of the world, enabling us to escape like a bird from the fowler's trap.
Exposition on Psalm 53
By St. Augustine0GEN 25:23MAT 10:39ACT 9:41CO 2:10GAL 4:19COL 1:24St. Augustine delves into Psalm 52, exploring the themes of acknowledging God's presence in times of pain and travail, the folly of denying God's existence, and the consequences of living in wickedness. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God and understanding His justice, especially in the face of corruption and evil beliefs. Augustine also reflects on Christ's crucifixion and the fear-driven actions of those who denied His divinity, highlighting the contrast between pleasing men and pleasing God.
Epistle 148
By George Fox0PSA 88:1ISA 63:9MRK 13:33LUK 11:5LUK 18:1LUK 18:10ACT 9:4EPH 6:18PHP 4:11TH 3:81TI 2:8JAS 1:6George Fox preaches about the importance of sincere and persistent prayer to the Lord, emphasizing that God hears the cries of His people and is present in their afflictions, oppressions, and sufferings. He encourages believers to maintain a simple and modest lifestyle, avoiding the vain fashions of the world, and to be faithful and chaste in all aspects of life. Fox also highlights the power of prayer, urging individuals to pray with faith, perseverance, and without doubt, as Christ promises that whatever is asked in His name will be given. He stresses the need to pray in the spirit, in unwavering faith, and in alignment with God's will.
Experiencing God 2
By Anton Bosch0EXO 3:6JOB 42:5ISA 6:5ACT 9:4REV 1:17Anton Bosch challenges the common notion of 'experiencing God' as being man-centered, emphasizing that true encounters with God in the Bible left individuals broken, humbled, and with a deep sense of their sinfulness and unworthiness. He contrasts these genuine experiences with modern descriptions of feeling wonderful, uplifting, or thrilling, highlighting the need for a real transformation when encountering God. Bosch stresses that authentic meetings with God result in lasting, fundamental changes in speech, goals, lifestyle, and attitudes, unlike shallow emotional encounters that lack true substance.
The Cross and the Mystery of Suffering
By Sadhu Sundar Singh0PSA 119:67LAM 3:31DAN 3:23JHN 10:9JHN 16:20ACT 9:4ROM 8:232CO 5:11PE 4:12Sadhu Sundar Singh preaches about the meaning and purpose of the cross, explaining that through Jesus bearing the cross, heaven was opened to believers, and by believers taking up their cross, they enter heaven and experience unbounded bliss. Pain and suffering exist due to man's rebellion against God's laws, meant to prepare them for an eternal home. God uses suffering as bitter medicine to promote spiritual health and awaken believers to their true home in heaven. The cross, though bitter outwardly, reveals spiritual peace and joy to those who bear it, just as Jesus shared in the sufferings of His followers to bring them relief and eternal safety.
Unfailing Grace
By Thomas Bradbury0ACT 9:4ROM 8:321CO 1:71CO 12:32CO 5:13GAL 2:20EPH 3:1PHP 1:212TI 1:9JAS 1:5Thomas Bradbury preaches about the remarkable life of the apostle Paul, emphasizing his thoroughness and unwavering commitment once he encountered the love of Christ. Paul's devotion to Jesus was fueled by a deep love for the Savior, leading him to endure trials and persecutions with unfeigned love. His life was a testament to the power of living for Christ, with love as the driving force behind his abundant labors and sufferings. Paul's writings to the Corinthians reflect his deep association with Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him as the source of all grace and blessings.
Missions a Partnership With Christ
By C.R. Hudson0MAT 16:15MAT 28:20LUK 22:31JHN 15:16ACT 9:4ACT 11:26GAL 2:20COL 3:3C.R. Hudson preaches about Jesus' intentional selection of the twelve apostles, his deep love and personal relationship with them, and the importance of personal devotion to Christ. He emphasizes the transformation in the lives of the apostles through their encounters with Jesus, leading them to love and serve Him wholeheartedly. Hudson highlights the personal encounter between Jesus and Saul (Paul) on the Damascus road, illustrating the power of a personal relationship with Christ in Paul's missionary work and life. The sermon underscores the significance of making converts to a person, Jesus Christ, rather than just to ideas or doctrines, as seen in Paul's ministry and the early Christians in Antioch.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And he fell to the earth - Being struck down with the lightning: many persons suppose he was on horseback, and painters thus represent him; but this is utterly without foundation. Painters are, in almost every case, wretched commentators.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
he fell to the earth--and his companions with him (Act 26:14), who "saw the light" (Act 22:9). and heard a voice saying unto him--"in the Hebrew tongue" (Act 26:14). Saul, Saul--a reduplication full of tenderness [DE WETTE]. Though his name was soon changed into "Paul," we find him, in both his own narratives of the scene, after the lapse of so many years, retaining the original form, as not daring to alter, in the smallest detail, the overpowering words addressed to him. why persecutest thou me?--No language can express the affecting character of this question, addressed from the right hand of the Majesty on high to an infuriated, persecuting mortal. (See Mat 25:45, and that whole judgment scene).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And he fell to the earth,.... Not being able to bear the light, and still less the divine glory and majesty which he perceived was present; and therefore, in great confusion, amazement, and fear, he fell with his face to the ground, and lay there prostrate and so did also those that were with him, Act 26:14 and heard a voice, saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? this voice was the real voice of Christ in his human nature, and who visibly and in person appeared, and was seen by the apostle; Act 26:16 the language he spoke in was the Hebrew tongue, and he calls him by his Hebrew name Saul, and which is doubled to denote vehemency and affection; See Gill on Luk 22:31 he knew him as one of his sheep, though straying, and calls him by name, and expostulates with him, wherefore he should persecute him in his members as he did; for the union between Christ and his people is so close, that what is done to them is done to him. There seems to be a considerable emphasis on the word "me"; "me", who have been they surety from everlasting; "me", who hath loved thee and given myself for thee; "me", who have shed my blood, laid down my life, and died for thee; "me", who am now at my Father's right hand, interceding for thee, that grace might be bestowed upon thee, the set time being now come.