Acts 26:14When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
The setting
Damascus Road, Syria, ~35 AD. Paul (then Saul) traveling with temple guards to arrest Christians, suddenly blinded by divine light and hearing Jesus speak in Hebrew/Aramaic.
The emotion here: still shaken from the most terrifying moment of his life, recounting divine encounter
The original word
kentron (κέντρον) — a sharp pointed stick used to prod oxen
Why it matters
The phrase 'kick against the goads' was a common Greek proverb meaning futile resistance
Read with care
What most readers miss in Acts 26:14
Jesus spoke in Hebrew - Paul's native language - making this intensely personal
Common misconceptionPeople think this was Paul's first encounter with Jesus, but he likely saw Jesus during His ministry and heard Stephen's sermon before his martyrdom
The thread continues
Verses that echo Acts 26:14
Bible Genome reading
Acts 26:14 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Acts 26:14 comes from the book of Acts, written during the early_church period. These words are attributed to Paul. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reverent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine confrontation, personal calling. Notable phrases: Saul, Saul; why are you persecuting me.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same anxious
“And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:14
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
— 2 Timothy 3:12
“The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"”
— Acts 19:15
“I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'”
— Acts 22:7
“"Therefore thus will I do to you, Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, Israel.”
— Amos 4:12
Your reflection
What does Acts 26:14 mean to you, today?
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