Definition: And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 26:15. It's a really important and slightly surprising part of the story of how Jesus became known as Christ. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, Jesus is telling us he knows who we are! “And I said…” : This is Jesus speaking to the Roman authorities (the ones investigating him) who were trying to arrest him. He's acknowledging their presence and what they’re doing. “…who art thou, Lord?” : This is a question he asks, indicating confusion or perhaps a moment of realization. It’s like saying “Hey, you are me ?” “And he said…” : Jesus then responds with a statement that's crucial – "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." What does this mean in the context of what happened before? Jesus was being wrongly accused of sedition and plotting against the Roman leaders. He was essentially being targeted for punishment. He’s admitting to having been him – the person they were trying to stop – while simultaneously rejecting their accusations. Why is this significant? This is a powerful moment because it shows: Jesus’ Identity: It reveals that Jesus wasn't just a man, but a divine being, possibly even the Messiah (the one prophesied to come). His Awareness of His Betrayal: It demonstrates that Jesus knew he was being persecuted and actively tried to deny his identity. In short, it’s a confession of who he is – a powerful declaration of his identity as the Christ that believers are so familiar with. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like to know: What "persecute" means in this context? How this verse connects to other Bible stories about Jesus?