Acts 9:5
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Acts 9:5
In this verse, Saul asks, “Who art thou, Lord?” and Jesus replies, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.” This direct, personal revelation emphasizes the reality of the risen Jesus and the intimate link between Jesus and his people. The second clause, “it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks,” uses agricultural imagery of a goad; Saul’s resistance is futile and painful. The rebuke underscores the necessity of surrender to the divine will.
This moment reinforces who Jesus is—Lord, risen, and alive. It also shows divine sovereignty in salvation, as Jesus personally addresses Saul, initiating a new mission. The image of the goad implies a merciful but firm invitation to repentance. Theologically, it anchors Paul’s later teaching on grace and divine calling, illustrating that God’s purposes prevail despite human opposition.
For readers today, consider how we respond to Jesus’s call. Are we resisting His gentle leadings with stubbornness? The warning about the goad invites humility and readiness to submit, allowing God to redirect plans toward His purposes. It also encourages believers to pray for those who oppose the faith, recognizing that even the strongest opponents may be redirected by the risen Christ.
Cross-References: Acts 22:8-10; Philippians 3:7-11; 1 Corinthians 9:1; Romans 8:28; John 14:6