In Greek the first clause of this verse is rather complex and any literal translation of it is awkward in English. It is for that reason that the Good News Translation has somewhat restructured the form of this clause to read on his way to Damascus, as he came near the city. The Greek text contains a transitional verb that literally means “it happened,” but this is simply a Semitic expression used by Luke to mark the introduction to a story or the beginning of a particular episode within an account.

A description on the bright light which flashed in the sky is not always easy to render effectively. In some languages the closest parallel is that of lightning. In other languages, terms suggesting the blazing up of fire have been employed. In all instances, the source of this light as from the sky must be clearly indicated. In some languages the equivalent is “light suddenly shown bright from the sky. It was bright every place around Saul.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .