When the Lord said "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks" (Acts 26:14), who was He talking about?

Question

I didn't translate this. It comes directly from the KJV.

Answer 1

In more modern translations, "the pricks" is translated "goads"
A Goad is an agricultural implement consisting of a rod approximately 2.5 m (8 ft) in length and chiefly used for driving and guiding bulls when plowing. One end of the rod is equipped with a sharp metal point to prick the animal (that's where we get the terms "pricks"), and a broad chisellike blade affixed to the other end is used for removing dirt and clay from the plowshare or for clearing it of roots and thorns.

The figurative expression “kicking against the goads” is drawn from the action of a stubborn bull that resists the prickings of the goad by kicking against it, resulting in injury to himself. The expression, denotes resisting or rebelling against rightful authority or a condition that cannot be altered, doing so to one’s own injury.

This is exactly what Saul did before becoming a Christian, by fighting against the followers of Jesus Christ, who had the backing of God.
So, to answer your question, the resurrected Jesus was speaking to Saul who later became Paul.

Answer 2

BEFORE his conversion, Paul (Saul) bitterly persecuted God’s true servants. When revealing himself to Paul, Jesus Christ said: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? To keep kicking against the goads makes it hard for you.” (Acts 26:14) What did Jesus mean by this?

Jesus Christ views what is done to his followers as being done to him himself. (Matt. 25:40, 45) Therefore, Paul, in persecuting Christians, was in reality persecuting Christ. He was fighting against something that had God’s backing, to his own injury. Paul could rightly be spoken of as “kicking against the goads.” A goad is a pointed stick, sometimes metal tipped, used in driving cattle or an animal used in plowing. The stubborn animal that resists the pricks of the goad by kicking against it does not get any relief but only harms itself. Similarly, Paul did not benefit by persecuting those whom God approved. His efforts in this regard were as fruitless as those of a draft animal when resisting the pricks of the goad.

regards
shakespeare

Answer 3

To kick against the goads is an old Greek proverb for useless resistamce. Why do you fight destiny type of thing. And Jesus was talk to Saul of Taursus who would soon become Paul.

Answer 4

Abraham Lincoln said it this way; A man encountered a man on a horse that was bucking, and heaving. The horse's hind foot had caught in an empty stirrup. He heard the mounted man's desperate request, "Ok! If you want to ride, just say so, and I'll get off!"

You have the choice to let Christ guide you or not, but where you go is his choice...

Answer 5

It is a Greek proverb, for useless resistance. It was useless for Saul to persecute the church. He was only hurting himself. Goads or pricks were long, wooden rods with a sharp point, used to prod oxen while plowing.

Answer 6

It really is a wierd saying...isn't it..?.... i think it means that Paul was fighting (kicking) against Jesus himself by persecuting the christians, who represented Him, and therefore God would be "pricking" his conscience for hurting others when the law says not to harm innocent life.

Answer 7

all of usfell to the ground andi heard a voice say to me in hebrew saul saul why are u persecuting me u are hurting uself by hitting back like an ox kicking against

Answer 8

Goad.."incentive.
You should read more carefully and use a dictionary if unsure of a word before you translate it yourself.

Answer 9

We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,* `Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to fight against my will.*'

Answer 10

Who? Saul soon to be Paul