Acts 26:17

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

Translations

Modern
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them
Traditional
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
Literal
…delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you
Latin
…eripiens te de populo et gentibus, in quas nunc ego mitto te,

Original

Greek
English
I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them

Notes

Throughout his defense in this trial for his life, Paul also clearly set out the conditions for receiving new life in Christ (also in 26:20, 23; see Matthew 10:19–20).

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

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

Topics

Christian Minister: Call of Christian Minister: Duties of Converts: Sergius Paulus Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Damascus: Paul's Experiences In Defense of Paul Gentiles: Conversion of Judas Hanging Himself Missions: General Scriptures Concerning Paul: Called to be an Apostle Protection: Paul Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Sanctification: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sin: Forgiveness of Testimony: Religious, Exemplified