λακτίζω (laktizō)
laktizō
to kick
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb laktizō means to kick or strike with the heel. It appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in Acts 26:14, where Paul recounts his conversion experience on the road to Damascus.
Jesus addresses him with the words, "It is hard for you to kick against the goads." This phrase describes a vivid physical struggle: a person resisting a sharp stick used to guide oxen. The image conveys futile and painful resistance against divine direction. The word itself derives from lax, meaning "heelwise," emphasizing the action of striking out with the foot.
Translators render this as "kick" or "resist." The expression highlights the futility of opposing God’s will, suggesting that such struggle brings only harm to the one resisting. Paul uses this metaphor to illustrate his former opposition to Christianity and his subsequent submission to Christ’s authority.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The phrase "kick against the goads" paints a vivid picture of futile resistance. In ancient agriculture, oxen were guided by sharp sticks; if they kicked out in anger or fear, they only injured themselves. This image helps us understand how it feels to push against God’s gentle but firm direction. The struggle does not stop His will, but it often brings unnecessary pain and exhaustion to the one resisting.
Paul experienced this firsthand on the road to Damascus. He thought he was serving God by opposing Christians, yet his efforts were misdirected and harmful. When Jesus spoke these words, Paul’s resistance broke. This moment shows that surrendering to divine guidance is not a loss of freedom, but a release from self-inflicted suffering. We find peace when we stop fighting the hand that guides us.
Today, we may face situations where our own stubbornness or fear leads us to resist what we know is right. Recognizing this pattern can bring relief. Instead of straining against the goad of conscience, we can rest in the assurance that God’s path is for our good. Letting go allows us to walk forward with clarity and grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to kick;1×
- to kick.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λακτίζειν·1×
- λακτίζειν.1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 26:14
When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
This verse contains the only other NT occurrence of laktizō, where Jesus uses the agricultural metaphor to describe Paul’s futile resistance to divine authority.
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Acts 9:5
He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Although it does not use the word laktizō, this parallel account of the conversion highlights the same moment of confrontation where Paul realizes he is persecuting Christ himself.