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When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, `Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.`

Verse Takeaways

1

A Rebuke of Compassion

Jesus's words, "it is hard for you to kick against the goads," reveal His compassion. Commentators like Spurgeon note that Jesus's focus isn't on the harm done to Him, but on the self-inflicted pain Saul was causing himself. Like an ox injuring itself by kicking a sharp prod, Saul's resistance to God was only hurting himself. This shows that even in rebuke, Christ's heart is for the sinner's well-being.

See 2 Verse Takeaways

Book Overview

Acts

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Commentaries

7

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On Acts 26:14

When we were all fallen (παντων καταπεσοντων ημων). Genitive absolute with second aorist active participle of καταπιπτω. In the He…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Acts 26:14

19th Century

Bishop

It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.—See Note on Acts 9:5. Here there is no doubt as to the genuineness of the reading.

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On Acts 26:12–14

19th Century

Preacher

Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, …

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Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On Acts 26:14

While Paul was trying to stamp out nascent Christianity, the encounter that changed his life took place. That Paul’s account of his Damascus Road c…

John Gill

John Gill

On Acts 26:14

17th Century

Pastor

And when we were all fallen to the earth
Saul, and the men that were with him, for fear of the divine Majesty, who b…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Acts 26:12–23

17th Century

Minister

Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Christ both to him and in him; while he was in the full career of his sin. He was mad…

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