King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Complete Jewish Bible:
But get up, and stand on your feet! I have appeared to you to appoint you to serve and bear witness to what you have already seen of me, and to what you will see when I appear to you in the future.
Berean Standard Bible:
‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen from Me and what I will show you.
American Standard Version:
But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee;
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But{G235} rise{G450}, and{G2532} stand{G2476} upon{G1909} thy{G4675} feet{G4228}: for{G1063} I have appeared{G3700} unto thee{G4671} for{G1519} this purpose{G5124}, to make{G4400} thee{G4571} a minister{G5257} and{G2532} a witness{G3144} both{G5037} of these things which{G3739} thou hast seen{G1492}, and{G5037} of those things in the which{G3739} I will appear{G3700} unto thee{G4671};
Cross-References (KJV):
Acts 22:14
- And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
Acts 22:15
- For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
Ezekiel 2:1
- ¶ And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.
Daniel 10:11
- And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
1 Timothy 1:12
- ¶ And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Romans 15:16
- That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
Galatians 1:12
- For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Acts 26:16
Acts 26:16 is part of the narrative in the Book of Acts, which details the early Christian church's history and the spread of the Gospel after Jesus' ascension. This verse is set within the Apostle Paul's defense before King Agrippa, where he recounts his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. The verse captures a pivotal moment in Paul's life, as he transitions from being a persecutor of Christians to one of Christianity's most ardent apostles.
In the verse, Paul is recounting the words he heard from Jesus during his dramatic encounter. Jesus commands Paul to rise and stand, signifying both a physical action and a spiritual calling. The phrase "for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose" underscores the divine intent behind Paul's vision, indicating that God himself had chosen Paul for a specific mission. The purpose is twofold: to appoint Paul as a "minister" (diakonos), which implies a servant role, and as a "witness" (martyros), one who testifies to what he has seen and experienced.
The themes of divine calling, transformation, and witnessing are central to this verse. Paul is being commissioned to testify about his personal encounter with the risen Christ and to spread the message of Christianity to both Jews and Gentiles. The historical context of this commissioning is crucial, as it marks a turning point in the narrative of Acts and sets the stage for Paul's extensive missionary journeys, which played a vital role in the expansion of the early church.
Furthermore, the verse foreshadows the future appearances of Jesus to Paul, indicated by "those things in the which I will appear unto thee." This suggests ongoing revelation and guidance that Paul would receive from Jesus, which would sustain and direct his ministry. Acts 26:16, therefore, encapsulates the transformative power of divine encounter and the mandate given to Paul to serve as a minister and witness of the Christian faith.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet. - Strong's Number: G450
There are 145 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀνίστημι
Transliteration: anístēmi
Pronunciation: an-is'-tay-mee
Description: from ἀνά and ἵστημι; to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive):--arise, lift up, raise up (again), rise (again), stand up(-right). - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G2476
There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἵστημι
Transliteration: hístēmi
Pronunciation: stah'-o
Description: a prolonged form of a primary (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively):--abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare τίθημι. - Strong's Number: G1909
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπί
Transliteration: epí
Pronunciation: ep-ee'
Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G4675
There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σοῦ
Transliteration: soû
Pronunciation: soo
Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy. - Strong's Number: G4228
There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πούς
Transliteration: poús
Pronunciation: pooce
Description: a primary word; a "foot" (figuratively or literally):--foot(-stool). - Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet. - Strong's Number: G3700
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὀπτάνομαι
Transliteration: optánomai
Pronunciation: op'-tom-ahee
Description: a (middle voice) prolonged form of the primary (middle voice) ; which is used for it in certain tenses; and both as alternate of ὁράω; to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from βλέπω, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from εἴδω, which expresses merely mechanical, passive or casual vision; while θεάομαι, and still more emphatically its intensive θεωρέω, signifies an earnest but more continued inspection; and σκοπέω a watching from a distance):--appear, look, see, shew self. - 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. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G5124
There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τοῦτο
Transliteration: toûto
Pronunciation: too'-to
Description: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of οὗτος; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore). - Strong's Number: G4400
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: προχειρίζομαι
Transliteration: procheirízomai
Pronunciation: prokh-i-rid'-zom-ahee
Description: middle voice from πρό and a derivative of χείρ; to handle for oneself in advance, i.e. (figuratively) to purpose:--choose, make. - Strong's Number: G4571
There are 179 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σέ
Transliteration: sé
Pronunciation: seh
Description: accusative case singular of σύ; thee:--thee, thou, X thy house. - Strong's Number: G5257
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπηρέτης
Transliteration: hypērétēs
Pronunciation: hoop-ay-ret'-ace
Description: from ὑπό and a derivative of (to row); an under-oarsman, i.e. (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable):--minister, officer, servant. - Strong's Number: G3144
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μάρτυς
Transliteration: mártys
Pronunciation: mar'-toos
Description: of uncertain affinity; a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr":-- martyr, record, witness. - Strong's Number: G5037
There are 192 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τέ
Transliteration: té
Pronunciation: teh
Description: a primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly, as correlation of καί):--also, and, both, even, then, whether. Often used in composition, usually as the latter participle. - Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ. - Strong's Number: G1492
There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἴδω
Transliteration: eídō
Pronunciation: i'-do
Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.