Keraia
Acts 26

Acts 26:1

Paul’s Testimony to Agrippa · Acts 26:1–23
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Translations

Modern
Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:
Traditional
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
Literal
And Agrippa was saying to Paul, “It is permitted you to speak for yourself.” Then Paul, having stretched out the hand, began his defense:
Latin
Agrippa vero ad Paulum ait: Permittitur tibi loqui pro temetipso. Tunc Paulus extenta manu cœpit rationem reddere:

Original

Greek
English
Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:

Notes

Acts 26:1–23

In his careful defense before King Agrippa, Paul argued that his message agreed fully with the Jewish faith. He began by respectfully recognizing Agrippa’s knowledge of Jewish matters (26:2–3). He then described his early life, his training in Judaism, and his membership in the Pharisees (a Jewish group known for strict obedience to the law; 26:4–5).

Paul explained that the charges against him were only because he believed that God had fulfilled the Jewish hope of the resurrection (God raising the dead to life; 26:6–8).

He then told how he had once strongly opposed Christians (26:9–11), but changed after seeing a vision from Jesus on the road to Damascus (26:12–18; see 9:1–18).

Paul said that his preaching simply obeyed this message from God (26:19–20). Although some Jews opposed him violently (26:21), God protected him. He continued to teach a message that his fellow Jews should have accepted (22–23). This defense shows an example for Christians who are put on trial for their faith (see 9:15; Luke 21:12–15).

Theme notes and profiles

Herod Agrippa II Jewish Leaders Paul (Saul)

Events

Parallels

Acts 9:1–19 Acts 22:1–21

People

Agrippa: Tetrarch who heard Paul's defense in Caesarea Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles

Glossary

Book of the Acts of the Apostles Herod, Herodian Family Paul the Apostle Procurator Titus Caesar

Topics

Christian Minister: Persecution: Paul Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Courts of Justice: The Accused: Permitted to Plead Their own Cause Defense of Paul Paul: His Examination Before Herod Agrippa Ii Prisoners: Paul Prisoners: Permitted to Make Defense Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Select Readings: Paul in Front of Agrippa Self-Defense: Accused Persons Heard In