Acts 9:3-4

Other passages throw more light on the details of Saul’s blinding vision. It took place about midday when the sun would usually have been shining its brightest (Acts 22:6; Acts 26:13). What blinded Saul was not the sun, however, but a revelation of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:17; Acts 9:27; Acts 22:14; Acts 26:16; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 1 Corinthians 15:8). He saw the same person Stephen had seen as Saul witnessed Stephen dying (Acts 7:55). Jesus spoke to Saul from heaven addressing him by his Jewish name and in the language of the Jews (cf. Acts 26:14). After riveting his attention, Jesus asked Saul why he was persecuting Himself-not His followers, but Himself. Saul would have understood the voice as God’s since in rabbinism a voice from heaven always connoted a rebuke or instruction from God. [Note: Longenecker, pp. 370-71.]

"Therefore when the voice went on to ask the question ’Why do you persecute me?’ Saul was without doubt thoroughly confused. He was not persecuting God! Rather, he was defending God and his laws!" [Note: Ibid., p. 371.]

Jesus’ question made Saul begin to appreciate the intimate union that Christians enjoy with Jesus, the Head of the body, the church. He was in His disciples, not just with them or ruling over them, by His Spirit (cf. John 14:17). What they suffered He suffered.