Keraia
Acts 26

Acts 26:14

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

Modern
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
Traditional
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.
Literal
And all of us having fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
Latin
Omnesque nos cum decidissemus in terram, audivi vocem loquentem mihi hebraica lingua: Saule, Saule, quid me persequeris? durum est tibi contra stimulum calcitrare.

Original

Greek
English
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

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 Paul (Saul) God’s Servant Visions

Events

Parallels

Acts 9:1–19 Acts 22:1–21

People

Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles

Glossary

Apostle, Apostleship Aramaic Book of the Acts of the Apostles Church Damascus Herod, Herodian Family Judaizers Paul the Apostle Procurator Resurrection Shekinah Titus Caesar

Topics

Christian Minister: Call of Converts: Sergius Paulus Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Damascus: Paul's Experiences In Defense of Paul Hebrew used to Denote the Language (Aramaic) of the Jews Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Hebrew Missions: General Scriptures Concerning Paul: His Vision and Conversion Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Testimony: Religious, Exemplified Voice of God