Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Damascus » Paul's experiences in
neither returned to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me: but went my ways into Arabia, and came again unto Damascus.
In the city of Damascus, the governor of the people under king Aretas, laid watch in the city of the Damascenes, and would have caught me,
as the chief priest doth bear me witness, and all the elders: of whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem for to be punished. And it fortuned that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, that suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me, and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' read more.
And I answered, 'What art thou Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake with me. And I said, 'What shall I do Lord?' And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I saw nothing for the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law having good report of all the Jews which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood and said unto me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And that same hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, 'The God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now: why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the name of the Lord.'
And I answered, 'What art thou Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake with me. And I said, 'What shall I do Lord?' And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I saw nothing for the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law having good report of all the Jews which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood and said unto me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And that same hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, 'The God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now: why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the name of the Lord.'
About the which things: as I went to Damascus with authority, and commission from license of the high priests, even at mid day, o King, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shine round about me and them, which journeyed with me. 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 prick.' read more.
And I said, 'Who art thou Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: But rise and stand up on thy feet. For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose: to make thee a minister, and a witness both of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things in thee which I will appear unto thee, delivering thee from the people, and from the gentiles, unto thee which now I send thee, to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me.' "Wherefore king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Jewry, and to the gentiles, that they should repent, and turn to God, and do the right works of repentance.
And I said, 'Who art thou Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: But rise and stand up on thy feet. For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose: to make thee a minister, and a witness both of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things in thee which I will appear unto thee, delivering thee from the people, and from the gentiles, unto thee which now I send thee, to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me.' "Wherefore king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Jewry, and to the gentiles, that they should repent, and turn to God, and do the right works of repentance.
Paul » His vision and conversion
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord?
And last of all he was seen of me, as of one that was born out of due time.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord which hath made me strong: for he counted me true, and put me in office, when before I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and a tyrant. But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly, through unbelief:
For ye have heard of my conversation in times past in the Jews' ways, how that beyond measure I persecuted the congregation of God, and spoiled it:
But as he journeyed, it fortuned that he drew nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" And he said, "What art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick." read more.
And he, both trembling and astonished, said, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou shalt do." The men which journeyed with him on his way stood amazed, for they heard a voice, but saw no man. And Saul arose from the earth, and opened his eyes, but saw no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias, and to him said the Lord in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Behold, I am here Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Arise, and go into the street which is called straight, and seek in the house of Judas after one called Saul of the city of Tarsus. For behold, he prayeth; And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in unto him; And putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." Then Ananias answered, "Lord I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority of the high priests to bind all that call on thy name." The Lord said unto him, "Go thy ways: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." Ananias went his way and entered into the house and put his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the holy ghost." And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he received his sight, and arose and was baptised. And received meat and was comforted. Then was Saul a certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues how that he was the son of God. All that heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this he that spoiled them which called on this name in Jerusalem? And came hither for the intent that he should bring them bound unto the high priests?" But Saul increased in strength; And confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus affirming that this was very Christ.
And he, both trembling and astonished, said, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou shalt do." The men which journeyed with him on his way stood amazed, for they heard a voice, but saw no man. And Saul arose from the earth, and opened his eyes, but saw no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias, and to him said the Lord in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Behold, I am here Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Arise, and go into the street which is called straight, and seek in the house of Judas after one called Saul of the city of Tarsus. For behold, he prayeth; And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in unto him; And putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." Then Ananias answered, "Lord I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority of the high priests to bind all that call on thy name." The Lord said unto him, "Go thy ways: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." Ananias went his way and entered into the house and put his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the holy ghost." And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he received his sight, and arose and was baptised. And received meat and was comforted. Then was Saul a certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues how that he was the son of God. All that heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this he that spoiled them which called on this name in Jerusalem? And came hither for the intent that he should bring them bound unto the high priests?" But Saul increased in strength; And confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus affirming that this was very Christ.
and I persecuted this way unto the death: binding, and delivering into prison both men and women, as the chief priest doth bear me witness, and all the elders: of whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem for to be punished. And it fortuned that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, that suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me, read more.
and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And I answered, 'What art thou Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake with me. And I said, 'What shall I do Lord?' And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I saw nothing for the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law having good report of all the Jews which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood and said unto me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And that same hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, 'The God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now: why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the name of the Lord.' And it fortuned, when I was come again to Jerusalem and prayed in the temple, that I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, 'Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy witness that thou bearest of me.' And I said, 'Lord they know that I prisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee.
and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And I answered, 'What art thou Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake with me. And I said, 'What shall I do Lord?' And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I saw nothing for the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law having good report of all the Jews which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood and said unto me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And that same hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, 'The God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now: why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the name of the Lord.' And it fortuned, when I was come again to Jerusalem and prayed in the temple, that I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, 'Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy witness that thou bearest of me.' And I said, 'Lord they know that I prisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee.
I also verily thought in myself, that I ought to do many contrary things, clean against the name of Jesus of Nazareth: which things I also did in Jerusalem. Where many of the saints shut I up in prison, and had received authority of the high priests: And when they were put to death I gave the sentence. "And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme: and was yet more mad upon them, and persecuted them even unto strange cities. read more.
About the which things: as I went to Damascus with authority, and commission from license of the high priests, even at mid day, o King, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shine round about me and them, which journeyed with me. 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 prick.' And I said, 'Who art thou Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:
About the which things: as I went to Damascus with authority, and commission from license of the high priests, even at mid day, o King, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shine round about me and them, which journeyed with me. 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 prick.' And I said, 'Who art thou Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:
Paul » His defense
Then the captain came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and demanded what he was, and what he had done. And one cried this, another that, among the people. And when he could not know the certainty, for the rage, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. And when he came unto a grece, it fortuned that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people: read more.
For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, "Away with him." And as Paul should have been carried into the castle; He said unto the high captain, "May I speak unto thee?" Which said, "Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian which before these days, made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?" But Paul said, "I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no vile city, I beseech thee suffer me to speak unto the people." When he had given him licence, Paul stood on the steps, and beckoned with the hand unto the people, and there was made a great silence. And he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying:
For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, "Away with him." And as Paul should have been carried into the castle; He said unto the high captain, "May I speak unto thee?" Which said, "Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian which before these days, made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?" But Paul said, "I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no vile city, I beseech thee suffer me to speak unto the people." When he had given him licence, Paul stood on the steps, and beckoned with the hand unto the people, and there was made a great silence. And he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying:
"Ye men, brethren, and fathers, hear mine answer which I make unto you." When they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence. And he said, "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia: nevertheless yet brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, and informed diligently in the law of the fathers, and was fervent minded to Godward, as ye all are this same day, read more.
and I persecuted this way unto the death: binding, and delivering into prison both men and women, as the chief priest doth bear me witness, and all the elders: of whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem for to be punished. And it fortuned that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, that suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me, and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And I answered, 'What art thou Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake with me. And I said, 'What shall I do Lord?' And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I saw nothing for the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law having good report of all the Jews which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood and said unto me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And that same hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, 'The God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now: why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the name of the Lord.' And it fortuned, when I was come again to Jerusalem and prayed in the temple, that I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, 'Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy witness that thou bearest of me.' And I said, 'Lord they know that I prisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee. And when the blood of thy witness Stephen was shed, I also stood by, and consented unto his death and kept the raiment of them that slew him.' And he said unto me, 'Depart for I will send thee afar hence unto the gentiles.'"
and I persecuted this way unto the death: binding, and delivering into prison both men and women, as the chief priest doth bear me witness, and all the elders: of whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem for to be punished. And it fortuned that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, that suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me, and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And I answered, 'What art thou Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake with me. And I said, 'What shall I do Lord?' And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I saw nothing for the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law having good report of all the Jews which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood and said unto me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And that same hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, 'The God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now: why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the name of the Lord.' And it fortuned, when I was come again to Jerusalem and prayed in the temple, that I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, 'Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy witness that thou bearest of me.' And I said, 'Lord they know that I prisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee. And when the blood of thy witness Stephen was shed, I also stood by, and consented unto his death and kept the raiment of them that slew him.' And he said unto me, 'Depart for I will send thee afar hence unto the gentiles.'"
Persecution » The world persecuting jesus Christ
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord and said, "Lord, thou art God which hast made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, which by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, 'Why did the heathen rage and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers came together against the Lord, and against his Christ.' read more.
For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and also Pontius Pilate with the gentiles, and the people of Israel, gathered themselves together:
For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and also Pontius Pilate with the gentiles, and the people of Israel, gathered themselves together:
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. But as he journeyed, it fortuned that he drew nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. read more.
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" And he said, "What art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick."
And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" And he said, "What art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick."
I am the true vine, and my father is a husbandman. Every branch that beareth not fruit in me, he will take away. And every branch that beareth fruit will he purge, that it may bring more fruit. Now are ye clean, through the words which I have spoken unto you. read more.
Abide in me, and let me abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, and ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. For without me can ye do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered: and men gather it and cast it into the fire, and it burneth. If ye abide in me, and my words also abide in you: ask what ye will, and it shall be done to you. Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and be made my disciples. "AS the father hath loved me, even so have I loved you. Continue in my love. If ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love: even as I have kept my father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment: that ye love together as I have loved you. Greater love than this hath no man, than that a man bestow his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth, call I you not servants: For the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth. But you have I called friends: For all things that I have heard of my father, I have opened to you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that ye go, and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit remain, that whatsoever ye shall ask of the father in my name he should give it you. This command I you, that ye love together. "If the world hate you, ye know that he hated me before he hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own. Howbeit, because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore hateth you the world. Remember the saying, that I said unto you, 'The servant is not greater than the Lord.' If they have persecuted me, so will they persecute you. If they have kept my saying, so will they keep yours. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they have not known him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they should not have had sin: but now have they nothing to cloak their sin withal. He that hateth me, hateth my father. If I had not done works among them which none other man did, they had not had sin. But now have they seen, and yet have hated both me and my father: Even that the saying might be fulfilled that is written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.'
Abide in me, and let me abide in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, and ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit. For without me can ye do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered: and men gather it and cast it into the fire, and it burneth. If ye abide in me, and my words also abide in you: ask what ye will, and it shall be done to you. Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, and be made my disciples. "AS the father hath loved me, even so have I loved you. Continue in my love. If ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love: even as I have kept my father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment: that ye love together as I have loved you. Greater love than this hath no man, than that a man bestow his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth, call I you not servants: For the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth. But you have I called friends: For all things that I have heard of my father, I have opened to you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you that ye go, and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit remain, that whatsoever ye shall ask of the father in my name he should give it you. This command I you, that ye love together. "If the world hate you, ye know that he hated me before he hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own. Howbeit, because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore hateth you the world. Remember the saying, that I said unto you, 'The servant is not greater than the Lord.' If they have persecuted me, so will they persecute you. If they have kept my saying, so will they keep yours. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they have not known him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they should not have had sin: but now have they nothing to cloak their sin withal. He that hateth me, hateth my father. If I had not done works among them which none other man did, they had not had sin. But now have they seen, and yet have hated both me and my father: Even that the saying might be fulfilled that is written in their law, 'They hated me without a cause.'
The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus which had made him whole. And therefore the Jews did persecute Jesus, and sought the means to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. And Jesus answered them, "My father worketh hitherto, and I work." read more.
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, not only because he had broken the Sabbath: but said also that God was his father and made himself equal with God.
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, not only because he had broken the Sabbath: but said also that God was his father and made himself equal with God.
And it fortuned that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, that suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me, and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And I answered, 'What art thou Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.'