In Acts 26:12-23, Paul relates his conversion experience to King Agrippa. He includes a phrase that was not recorded previously (though it is found in some manuscripts added to Acts 9:5 KJV) :
. . . in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
A goad was a strong sharpened stick used to drive an ox. It was strong enough for Shamgar the Judge to have used as a weapon to single handedly kill 600 Philistines (Judges 3:31). Typically, 6-8 feet in length, fire hardened, and metal tipped.
The image here is that when being driven, if the ox kicked back against the prodding, it would injure itself. This is a common proverb.
Gamaliel, under whom Paul had studied (Acts 22:3) also warned against this when in council (Acts 5:33-40). One should not fight against God.
It was an extra message Paul wanted to share with King Agrippa. Don’t fight against the fact that the prophets, whom the king himself believed, their prophecies have indeed been fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:27-28
[Paul speaking] “. . . King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”
The Apostles and the evangelists used goads in their conversations to drive individuals to decision.
- Peter often pointed to undeniable miracles (Acts 3:14-20).
- To his own martyrdom, Steven pointed to scripture (Acts 7:48-53).
- Phillip used scripture and pointed to nearby water (Acts 8:34-36).
- Peter argued from fulfilled prophecy (Acts 13:16-43).
- Paul used compassion and personal sacrifice (Acts 16:27-31).
- Paul used the words of local poets about Zeus (Acts 17:28-32).
- Paul used his own testimony (Acts 22:3-23).
We have strong goads and permission to use them.
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