Acts 26:5

Translations

Modern

They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.

Traditional

Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Literal

…knowing me from the first, if they would be willing to testify—that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.

Latin

…præscientes me ab initio (si velint testimonium perhibere) quoniam secundum certissimam sectam nostræ religionis vixi pharisæus.

Original

Greek

English

They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.

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) The Pharisees

Events

Paul goes before Agrippac. AD 56

Related verses

Acts 23:6
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
Acts 22:3
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
Acts 24:5
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
Acts 22:5
…as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
Philippians 3:5–6
…circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
Acts 24:14
I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

Parallels

Acts 9:1–19 Acts 22:1–21

People

Pharisee: A strict Jewish sect known for legalism and hypocrisy

Glossary

Book of the Acts of the Apostles Essenes Foreknowledge Herod, Herodian Family Jew Judaism Paul the Apostle Procurator Titus Caesar

Topics

Court: Accused Spoke in his own Defense Defense of Paul Obedience: Paul Paul: A Zealous Pharisee Pharisees: Paul, a Pharisee Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul The Jews: Distinction of Castes Among, Noticed The Pharisees: The Strictest Observers of the Mosaic Ritual

Acts 26:5

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