Bible Strands
Acts 26:13
About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses King Agrippa while recounting his journey to Damascus, specifying that the event occurred around midday as he traveled with his companions.
The words — The phrase ἡμέρας μέσης (hēmeras mesēs) literally renders "at midday," while οὐρανὸθεν (ouranothen) specifies the light's origin "from heaven."
The thread — This midday heavenly illumination parallels the radiant appearances in Matthew 17:2 and Revelation 1:16, where divine glory manifests through intense light.
Why it lands — The text records a sudden, blinding heavenly light that halts Saul's mission before any voice speaks, requiring the reader to acknowledge that divine authority interrupts human plans without prior negotiation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
Cross-references
- Revelation 1:16 He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
- Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
- Matthew 17:2 There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
- Acts 22:6 About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.
- Isaiah 24:23 The moon will be confounded and the sun will be ashamed; for the LORD of Hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His elders with great glory.
- Isaiah 30:26 The light of the moon will be as bright as the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter—like the light of seven days—on the day that the LORD binds up the brokenness of His people and heals the wounds He has inflicted.
- Acts 9:3 As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.