Lexical Summary laktizo: To kick Original Word: λακτίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance kick. From adverb lax (heelwise); to recalcitrate -- kick. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2979: λακτίζωλακτίζω; (from adverb λάξ, with the heel); (fr. Homer down); to kick, strike with the heel: Acts 26:14, and Rec. in Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and Figurative Force While literally describing the action of “kicking,” the verb conveys stubborn resistance to rightful authority. In ancient agrarian imagery, an ox that kicked the pointed goad only injured itself; thus the expression portrays self-destructive rebellion against divine direction. The metaphor assumes a moral order in which God sets the path and any defiance ultimately harms the rebel, not the Ruler. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Acts 9:5 TR/MT text records the risen Christ’s reproof to Saul on the Damascus road: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Both contexts depict a persecutor confronted by Christ’s sovereign initiative, underscoring that resistance to the Lord’s redemptive purposes is futile. Old Testament and Intertestamental Echoes Although the precise idiom does not appear in the Hebrew canon, the concept of futile opposition to God saturates the Psalter (for example, Psalm 2:1–3) and prophetic warnings (Isaiah 45:9). The Apocrypha echoes the motif (Wisdom of Solomon 12:14), preparing Jewish readers for the New Testament application. Greco-Roman Literary Background The proverb surfaces in Euripides (Bacchae 795) and other classical sources, where mortals who “kick against the goads” challenge the gods to their own hurt. Luke’s preservation of the saying (especially in Paul’s courtroom defense before Agrippa) bridges familiar Hellenistic imagery with biblical revelation, illustrating Scripture’s capacity to engage every culture while maintaining theological truth. Theological Significance in Acts 1. Divine Sovereignty: The statement confirms that Saul’s conversion was not the result of human persuasion but of Christ’s irresistible call (compare Romans 9:16). Pastoral and Practical Implications • Conviction: Believers may recall the proverb when tempted to resist the Spirit’s prompting (Ephesians 4:30). Missionary Application Paul’s testimony before Agrippa models contextualized evangelism: he employs a familiar proverb to confront a royal audience with universal accountability. Modern missionaries likewise translate eternal truths into local idioms without diluting the gospel. Christological Focus The risen Christ speaks with Old Testament Yahweh authority, identifying Himself as the one ultimately opposed in every act of persecution. The proverb therefore magnifies His deity and ongoing involvement in the spread of the gospel. Doctrine and Consistency of Scripture The harmony between the Acts narrative and Pauline epistles (Galatians 1:11–16; Philippians 3:4–9) demonstrates inspired coherence: the persecutor turned apostle embodies the principle that God overrules human defiance for His glory (Genesis 50:20). Homiletical Suggestions Text: Acts 26:12–18 Theme: “When Resistance Meets Grace” Outline: 1. The Goads of Providence (v. 14) Application: Invite hearers to cease self-injurious striving and yield to Christ’s saving and commissioning work. In sum, Strong’s Greek 2979 serves as a vivid, cross-cultural emblem of the futility of resisting God and the triumph of redeeming grace that redirects even the fiercest opponent into fruitful ministry. Forms and Transliterations λακτιζειν λακτίζειν laktizein laktízeinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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