Acts 22:9

Acts 22:9 Meaning and Explanation

And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

King James Version (KJV)

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Paul's companions see the light and are afraid, but the voice speaking to him is not given to them to understand.

What Does Acts 22:9 Mean?

The men traveling with Paul confirm that something real happened on that road: they saw the blaze of light and were terrified (compare Acts 9:7). Yet the words belonged to Paul alone; the sound reached their ears, but the message was addressed to one man.

God's call can come in the middle of a company and still be intensely personal. The companions' fear attests the reality of the light; the unshared words attest that the Lord was dealing with one soul. Christ knows how to call his own by name (John 10:3), and the one who hears becomes accountable for what he alone has heard.

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What does Acts 22:9 mean?

Paul's companions see the light and are afraid, but the voice speaking to him is not given to them to understand.

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