Paul's Story
A painting of Saul struck down by a light from heaven on the road to Damascus

Paul's Story · Event 3 of 42

The Road to Damascus

Called by Jesus · Damascus

Before thisAfter this

3 accounts of this passage

Acts 9:1–9

1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out threats and murder against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any of this Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3As he traveled and was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" 5"Who are you, Lord?" he asked. And the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." 6Trembling and astonished, he said, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" The Lord said to him, "Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." 7The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes, he could not see. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9For three days he was without sight, and he neither ate nor drank.

Read Acts 9
Up nextAnanias Restores Saul's SightActs 9:10–19

About this event

What happened?

Saul was on his way to Damascus with letters from the high priest to arrest believers there. Near the city, a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The answer came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” When Saul got up, he could not see. His companions led him by the hand into Damascus, and for three days he did not eat or drink.

Who is here?

  • Jesus
  • The men traveling with Saul

Where did this happen?

Damascus

An old city in Syria, northeast of the Sea of Galilee, where Saul was going to arrest believers.

Where this fits

Event 1 of 5 in Called by Jesus: Jesus stops Saul on the road to Damascus, and Saul begins to preach the faith he fought.

Good to know

Acts 9:7 says the men with Saul heard the voice but saw no one. In Acts 22:9 the KJV says they did not hear the voice, and some newer Bibles say they did not understand it. Readers explain the difference in different ways. Acts 9:7 also says the men stood speechless, while in Acts 26:14 Paul says they all fell to the ground.

Keep exploring

Before thisSaul Persecutes the ChurchActs 8:3After thisAnanias Restores Saul's SightActs 9:10–19

Paul's Story