1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
3 Especially [because I know] thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7 Unto which [promise] our twelve tribes, instantly serving [God] day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against [them].
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled [them] to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted [them] even unto strange cities.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and [then] to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill [me].
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
Overview of Acts Chapter 26
Acts 26 is a pivotal chapter in the New Testament that details the Apostle Paul’s defense before King Agrippa. This chapter illustrates Paul’s unwavering commitment to his faith and the transformative power of his encounter with Jesus Christ. It also highlights the tension between early Christianity and Jewish traditions, and it provides insight into the political and religious dynamics of the time.
Key Themes
- Defense of Faith: Paul articulates his beliefs and the reasons behind his actions.
- Transformation: The chapter recounts Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: Paul emphasizes that his experiences align with Jewish prophecies about the Messiah.
- Resistance to the Gospel: The chapter explores the opposition faced by early Christians, particularly from Jewish leaders.
Structure of the Chapter
- Paul’s Introduction (Verses 1-3):
Paul begins by greeting King Agrippa and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to speak. He acknowledges Agrippa’s familiarity with Jewish customs and controversies.
- Paul’s Background (Verses 4-11):
Paul recounts his early life as a Pharisee, his zealous persecution of Christians, and his commitment to Jewish law.
- The Damascus Road Experience (Verses 12-18):
Paul describes his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, detailing how this event changed the course of his life and mission.
- Paul’s Mission (Verses 19-23):
He explains his commission to preach to both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing the message of repentance and turning to God.
- Festus’ Interruption (Verses 24-26):
Festus, the Roman governor, interrupts Paul, accusing him of being insane due to his passionate speech.
- Agrippa’s Response (Verses 27-29):
Agrippa questions Paul about his belief in the prophets and expresses intrigue about his message.
- Conclusion (Verses 30-32):
Paul’s defense concludes with Agrippa and Festus acknowledging that Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.
Detailed Analysis
Paul’s Introduction (Verses 1-3)
Paul respectfully addresses King Agrippa, showcasing his diplomatic skills. He seeks to establish common ground by acknowledging Agrippa’s knowledge of Jewish customs, which sets the stage for his defense.
Paul’s Background (Verses 4-11)
Paul’s recounting of his past as a Pharisee serves to illustrate his deep roots in Judaism. He emphasizes his zeal in persecuting Christians, which serves as a contrast to his current position as a proponent of the faith he once opposed.
The Damascus Road Experience (Verses 12-18)
Paul’s conversion story is central to his testimony. The vivid description of the encounter with the risen Christ highlights the dramatic nature of his transformation and serves as a powerful testament to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. The commission he receives emphasizes his role in spreading the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles.
Paul’s Mission (Verses 19-23)
Paul articulates the essence of his mission: to call people to repentance and to witness to the light of Christ. This mission aligns with the prophetic traditions of Judaism, thereby reinforcing the continuity between the Old and New Testaments.
Festus’ Interruption (Verses 24-26)
Festus’ reaction reflects the skepticism of the Roman authorities towards the Christian faith. His accusation of insanity underscores the cultural divide between the secular Roman worldview and the spiritual truths Paul espouses.
Agrippa’s Response (Verses 27-29)
Agrippa’s inquiry about Paul’s belief in the prophets indicates his curiosity and potential openness to the message of Christianity. Paul’s reply, expressing hope that Agrippa and others would come to faith, showcases his passion for evangelism.
Conclusion (Verses 30-32)
The chapter concludes with a recognition of the political complexities surrounding Paul’s trial. Agrippa and Festus’ acknowledgment of Paul’s innocence highlights the injustice faced by early Christians and sets the stage for Paul’s eventual appeal to Caesar.
Significance
Acts 26 serves as a powerful narrative of faith, transformation, and the challenges faced by early Christians. It emphasizes the importance of personal testimony in evangelism and illustrates the intersection of faith and politics. Paul’s defense before Agrippa not only contributes to the historical account of the early church but also provides enduring lessons on courage, conviction, and the power of the Gospel.
