Acts 26:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →All fell to the ground, and a voice in Hebrew asked Saul why he persecuted Him, warning him against resisting.
What Does Acts 26:14 Mean?
Struck down to the earth, Paul heard a voice speaking to him in Hebrew, calling his name twice and asking why he persecuted Him. The image of kicking against the goads pictures an ox fighting the very prod meant to guide it.
Most striking is the question itself: to strike the Lord's people is to strike the Lord Himself, so closely does He identify with His own. The doubled name carries both tenderness and summons. Paul learns that his fight has been against God all along, and that resisting Him only wounds the one who resists.
Acts 26:14 in the Original Language
kentron (κέντρον), 'goad, prick' -- the sharp prod used to drive oxen, picturing the futility of fighting against God's will.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 26:14
What does Acts 26:14 mean?
All fell to the ground, and a voice in Hebrew asked Saul why he persecuted Him, warning him against resisting.