Acts 26:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Agrippa said to Sha’ul, “You have permission to speak on your own behalf.” Then Sha’ul motioned with his hand and began his defense:

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

And Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then^{G1161} Agrippa^{G67} said^{G5346} unto^{G4314} Paul^{G3972}, Thou^{G4671} art permitted^{G2010} to speak^{G3004} for^{G5228} thyself^{G4572}. Then^{G5119} Paul^{G3972} stretched forth^{G1614} the hand^{G5495}, and answered for himself^{G626}:

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Acts 26:1

Acts 26:1 is part of the narrative in the Book of Acts where the Apostle Paul is standing trial before King Agrippa II, the last king of the Herodian dynasty, and his sister Bernice, as well as the Roman procurator Festus. This event occurs after Paul has been held in custody for two years in Caesarea, following his arrest in Jerusalem. The verse captures a pivotal moment in Paul's defense, as he is given the opportunity to speak on his own behalf, which he eagerly accepts, stretching forth his hand to begin his address.

The historical context of this verse is significant. It reflects the tension between the Jewish authorities and the early Christian movement, as well as the role of Roman officials in mediating these conflicts. Paul's trial is a legal setting where issues of Jewish law and Roman jurisdiction intersect, providing a platform for Paul to proclaim the Christian message to influential figures in the Roman Empire.

The themes present in this verse include justice, the right to self-defense, and the boldness of faith. Paul's eagerness to speak for himself showcases his confidence in the truth of his message and his willingness to defend his actions and beliefs. This moment also highlights the theme of evangelism, as Paul uses the opportunity not merely to defend himself legally but to bear witness to his faith and the resurrection of Jesus Christ before a high-profile audience, thus fulfilling his calling as an apostle to the Gentiles.

In summary, Acts 26:1 is a turning point in Paul's trial, where he is given a voice to defend himself and, by extension, to testify about his faith. The verse reflects the complex interplay between religious and political powers of the time and underscores the themes of justice, personal testimony, and the spread of the Christian gospel in the early church.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G67
   There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Ἀγρίππας
   Transliteration: Agríppas
   Pronunciation: ag-rip'-pas
   Description: apparently from ἄγριος and ἵππος; wild-horse tamer; Agrippas, one of the Herods:--Agrippa.
   
3. Strong's Number: G5346
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: φημί
   Transliteration: phēmí
   Pronunciation: fay-mee'
   Description: properly, the same as the base of φῶς and φαίνω; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. speak or say:--affirm, say. Compare λέγω.
   
4. Strong's Number: G4314
   There are 674 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πρός
   Transliteration: prós
   Pronunciation: pros
   Description: a strengthened form of πρό; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3972
   There are 160 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: Παῦλος
   Transliteration: Paûlos
   Pronunciation: pow'-los
   Description: of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of παύω, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle:--Paul, Paulus.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4671
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σοί
   Transliteration: soí
   Pronunciation: soy
   Description: dative case of σύ; to thee:--thee, thine own, thou, thy.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2010
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπιτρέπω
   Transliteration: epitrépō
   Pronunciation: ep-ee-trep'-o
   Description: from ἐπί and the base of τροπή; to turn over (transfer), i.e. allow:--give leave (liberty, license), let, permit, suffer.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3004
   There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λέγω
   Transliteration: légō
   Pronunciation: leg'-o
   Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5228
   There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑπέρ
   Transliteration: hypér
   Pronunciation: hoop-er'
   Description: a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4572
    There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σεαυτοῦ
    Transliteration: seautoû
    Pronunciation: sow-ton'
    Description: genitive case from σέ and αὐτός, also dative case of the same, , and accusative case , likewise contracted , , and , respectively; of (with, to) thyself:--thee, thine own self, (thou) thy(-self).
    
11. Strong's Number: G5119
    There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τότε
    Transliteration: tóte
    Pronunciation: tot'-eh
    Description: from (the neuter of) ὁ and ὅτε; the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution):--that time, then.
    
12. Strong's Number: G1614
    There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκτείνω
    Transliteration: ekteínō
    Pronunciation: ek-ti'-no
    Description: from ἐκ and teino (to stretch); to extend:--cast, put forth, stretch forth (out).
    
13. Strong's Number: G5495
    There are 171 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: χείρ
    Transliteration: cheír
    Pronunciation: khire
    Description: perhaps from the base of χειμών in the sense of its congener the base of χάσμα (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument):--hand.
    
14. Strong's Number: G626
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπολογέομαι
    Transliteration: apologéomai
    Pronunciation: ap-ol-og-eh'-om-ahee
    Description: middle voice from a compound of ἀπό and λόγος; to give an account (legal plea) of oneself, i.e. exculpate (self):--answer (for self), make defence, excuse (self), speak for self.