Acts 26:16

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;

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};

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.

‘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.

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;

Commentary

Context of Acts 26:16

This verse is part of the Apostle Paul's powerful defense before King Agrippa II, Festus, and other dignitaries in Caesarea. Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, is recounting his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus, where he was en route to persecute Christians. The specific words in Acts 26:16 are Jesus Christ's direct commission to Paul, revealing the divine purpose behind His appearance. This account is one of three detailed narrations of Paul's conversion found in the Book of Acts, highlighting its pivotal importance in his life and ministry (see also Acts 9:3-9 and Acts 22:6-11).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Commission: The verse unequivocally states that Jesus Himself appeared to Paul "for this purpose" – to appoint him to a specific role. This underscores that Paul's apostleship was not self-appointed but a direct, sovereign call from Christ.
  • Transformation and Calling: Paul, a zealous persecutor of the early church, is here called to be its most prominent minister and witness. This highlights God's power to transform lives and use even the most unlikely individuals for His glory.
  • Minister and Witness: Jesus defines Paul's dual role. As a "minister" (Greek: hypēretēs), Paul was to be a servant, carrying out Christ's will. As a "witness" (Greek: martys), he was to testify to what he had personally seen and heard of Christ, and also to future revelations. This concept of bearing witness is central to the early church's mission (Acts 1:8).
  • Ongoing Revelation: The phrase "of those things in the which I will appear unto thee" indicates that Paul's ministry would not only be based on his Damascus Road experience but also on future, ongoing revelations and guidance from Christ. This prepared him for the unique task of proclaiming the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "minister" here is hypēretēs (ὑπηρέτης), which literally means an "under-rower" or "servant." It implies a subordinate who carries out the commands of a superior, emphasizing Paul's role as one who serves under Christ's authority. The term "witness" is martys (μάρτυς), from which we derive "martyr." It signifies someone who testifies to facts, often at great personal cost, bearing testimony to what they have seen and experienced. Paul's life certainly embodied this, facing numerous hardships for his testimony (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Practical Application

Acts 26:16 holds profound implications for believers today. Just as Paul was given a specific purpose, every Christian is called to be a "minister" and a "witness" in their own sphere. Our past mistakes or backgrounds do not disqualify us from God's service; rather, His transforming power can equip us for tasks beyond our imagination. This verse reminds us that:

  1. God has a purpose for you: Like Paul, we are called to rise up and embrace the unique purpose God has for our lives, often revealed through an encounter with Christ and His Word.
  2. We are called to serve and testify: Our faith is not just for personal benefit; it is meant to be shared. We are commissioned to be witnesses of what God has done in our lives and to the truth of His Gospel.
  3. Obedience is key: Paul's immediate obedience to the heavenly vision (Acts 26:19) set the course for his incredible ministry. Our response to God's calling, even when it demands stepping out of our comfort zone, is crucial.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign choice and the transformative power of a divine encounter, equipping individuals for profound impact in the world.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.
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