Acts 22:6

And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF PAUL'S CONVERSION

This record of Paul's conversion corresponds beautifully with all Luke had already recorded of it in Acts 9:1ff. The subtle variations in the two accounts show Paul's diplomacy on this occasion, wherein he tried by every possible human consideration to enlist the favor of those whom he addressed. In Acts 26:17 Jesus himself announced from heaven Paul's mission to the Gentiles; and in Acts 9:15 the same announcement is made to Ananias; but, "In this address to the Jews, Paul kept that out of view for the moment, reserving it until after the vision in the temple is mentioned."[9] Note also that whereas Ananias is spoken of as a "Christian" in Acts 9:10, here he is called "a strict and pious Jew." To be sure, he was BOTH; but Paul chose the designation that would be more readily approved by his audience. Only willful unbelief can fail to observe that in the accounts of Paul's conversion, there is the utmost harmony and agreement, and yet the most subtle variations, every one of them evidencing the most amazing skill of adapting the truth to the persons addressed, and to such a degree that no forger or interpolator could even have attempted such a thing.

About noon ... As Lange expressed it, "Any light which could attract attention at such an hour must indeed be regarded as one out of the common course of nature."[10] The time of day was not given in Acts 9.

[9] Ibid., p. 587.

[10] John Peter Lange, op. cit., p. 402.