Keraia
Acts 26

Acts 26:11

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

Translations

Modern
I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And in all the synagogues, punishing them often, I was compelling them to blaspheme. And being exceedingly furious against them, I was persecuting them even as far as to foreign cities,
Latin
Et per omnes synagogas frequenter puniens eos, compellebam blasphemare: et amplius insaniens in eos, persequebar usque in exteras civitates.

Original

Greek
English
I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

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).

Events

Parallels

Acts 9:1–19 Acts 22:1–21

Glossary

Book of the Acts of the Apostles Curse, Cursed Damascus Herod, Herodian Family Paul the Apostle Persecution Procurator Titus Caesar

Topics

Blasphemy: The Early Christians, Persecuted by Saul of Tarsus, Compelled to Blaspheme the Name of Jesus Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Courts of Justice: Sometimes Held in Synagogues Defense of Paul Paul: His Vision and Conversion Persecution: Originates: Mistaken Zeal Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Synagogue: Primarily an Assembly of Jews and God-Fearers of Criminal Courts