Acts 9:4-8

4-8. Of what follows there are two parallel accounts besides in Acts 22:7-12, and Acts 26:14-16; and between the three, critics have endeavoured to find contradictions; but the result is confirmatory rather than derogatory to the truth of the history. For all these variations are explainable upon one principle, namely, that Paul was the main object of this Christophany, and the rest of the company were but subordinate witnesses to some vague but supernatural manifestation. Hence, 1. Saul was permanently prostrated; they were “all” momentarily overthrown, but, forthwith recovering, “stood speechless,” (Acts 9:4;) 2. Saul saw the person of Jesus; they beheld no man, (Acts 9:7;) 3. Saul heard the Hebrew words; they heard the vocal sound, not the articulation, (Acts 9:7;) 4. Saul was struck blind; they were speechless with astonishment, but were able to lead the blinded. Now in the description of the eminence of Saul as the main object of the revelation rather than his companions, it will be found that the contradictions are in words, and not in thought or in fact.