Acts 26:26

KJV

For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} the king {G935} knoweth {G1987} of {G4012} these {G5130} things, before {G4314} whom {G3739} also {G2532} I speak {G2980} freely {G3955}: for {G1063} I am persuaded {G3982} that {G3756} none {G5100}{G3762} of these things {G5130} are hidden {G2990} from him {G846}; for {G1063} this thing {G5124} was {G2076} not {G3756} done {G4238} in {G1722} a corner {G1137}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the king understands these matters, so to him I express myself freely, because I am sure that none of these things have been hidden from him. After all, they didn’t happen in some back alley.

Berean Standard Bible

For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak freely to him. I am confident that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

American Standard Version

For the king knoweth of these things, unto whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Acts 26:26, the Apostle Paul, standing before King Agrippa II, Governor Festus, and other Roman and Jewish dignitaries, asserts the undeniable public nature of the events surrounding Jesus Christ and the nascent Christian movement. With profound confidence and frankness, Paul declares his conviction that King Agrippa, being well-versed in Jewish customs and prophecies, is fully aware of the very matters Paul is discussing, emphasizing that these transformative events were not clandestine occurrences but transpired openly for all to see.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's final recorded defense speech in the book of Acts, delivered in Caesarea before King Agrippa II and Governor Festus. Paul, having been falsely accused by Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and subsequently appealing to Caesar, is granted this hearing by Festus, who seeks clarity on the charges to include in his report to the emperor. Paul seizes this unique opportunity, not merely to defend himself against specific accusations, but to boldly proclaim the Gospel, centering his entire argument on his dramatic conversion experience on the Damascus road ([Acts 9](/acts/9 "Acts 9 - Paul's Conversion")), his subsequent calling as an apostle to the Gentiles, and, crucially, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The immediate verses ([Acts 26:24-25](/acts/26-24-25 "Acts 26:24-25 - Festus's Interruption")) show Festus interrupting Paul, accusing him of madness, to which Paul calmly responds, affirming his sanity and the truth of his words. Verse 26 then directly addresses Agrippa, appealing to his presumed knowledge.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Agrippa II was the last of the Herodian line, ruling over territories north of Galilee. He and his sister Bernice were present at this hearing. Agrippa was known to be an expert in Jewish law, customs, and religious matters, which made him an ideal audience for Paul's defense, as Paul's arguments heavily relied on the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Caesarea Maritima, where this trial took place, was the Roman administrative capital of Judea, a bustling port city with a diverse population, making it a significant center for public discourse and legal proceedings. The Roman legal system, though often perceived as just, could be influenced by political expediency, as seen in Festus's desire to please the Jews ([Acts 24:27](/acts/24-27 "Acts 24:27 - Festus's Desire to Please the Jews")). Paul's assertion that "this thing was not done in a corner" directly challenged any perception of Christianity as a secretive cult, aligning it instead with public, verifiable historical events that occurred within the Roman Empire and Jewish society.
* **Key Themes:** A central theme in this passage, and indeed throughout Paul's defense, is the **public nature of the Gospel and the events surrounding Jesus's life, death, and resurrection**. Paul emphasizes that these were not obscure, private occurrences but widely known and discussed. This underpins the **verifiability and historical grounding of the Christian faith**. Another prominent theme is **boldness in proclamation**, as Paul, a prisoner, speaks with remarkable freedom and confidence before powerful rulers, demonstrating his unwavering conviction in the truth of his message and his divine calling ([Acts 26:16-18](/acts/26-16-18 "Acts 26:16-18 - Paul's Commission")). His appeal to Agrippa's knowledge also highlights the theme of **prophetic fulfillment**, suggesting that the Jewish Scriptures anticipated these very events, making them comprehensible to someone with Agrippa's background ([Acts 26:22-23](/acts/26-22-23 "Acts 26:22-23 - Paul's Defense of Prophetic Fulfillment")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **knoweth (Greek, _epístamai'_):** This word signifies not merely superficial acquaintance but a deep comprehension or being intimately acquainted with something, implying a putting of the mind upon a subject. Paul is suggesting that Agrippa possesses an informed understanding of the Jewish prophecies and the events related to Jesus, not just a passing familiarity.
* **freely (Greek, _parrhēsiázomai'_):** Derived from "parrhesia," meaning "all speech" or "freedom of speech," this term conveys the idea of speaking with boldness, frankness, and confidence, without fear or hesitation. Despite being a prisoner on trial, Paul exercises remarkable candor and openness in addressing the king.
* **corner (Greek, _gōnía'_):** Literally meaning "an angle" or "a corner," this word is used idiomatically in this context. To say something was "not done in a corner" means it was not done secretly, obscurely, or in a hidden place, but publicly, openly, and in plain sight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the king knoweth of these things":** Paul begins by appealing directly to King Agrippa's presumed knowledge. "These things" refers to the core tenets of Paul's testimony: the life, death, resurrection of Jesus, and the subsequent spread of the Christian message, all of which Paul argues are consistent with Jewish prophecy. Paul implies that Agrippa, as a Herodian ruler with a Jewish background, would be well-informed about the religious and political developments in Judea, including the rise of Christianity.
* **"before whom also I speak freely":** Paul emphasizes his unreserved and bold manner of speaking. Despite the high-stakes environment of a Roman court and his status as a prisoner, Paul speaks with "parrhesia"—frankness and confidence—because he believes his message is true and verifiable, and he trusts that Agrippa is capable of understanding it.
* **"for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him":** This clause reinforces Paul's conviction that Agrippa is not ignorant of the facts. Paul is "persuaded" (peíthō) or convinced that Agrippa has knowledge of these events. The implication is that the events of Jesus's ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection were so significant and public that they could not have escaped the notice of a ruler like Agrippa, who was deeply involved in Jewish affairs.
* **"for this thing was not done in a corner":** This is the climactic and most vivid statement of the verse. It is an idiomatic expression asserting that the events Paul speaks of were not secret, private, or obscure. Instead, they occurred in the full view of the public, affecting many, and were widely known and discussed throughout Judea and beyond. This phrase powerfully underscores the historical and verifiable nature of the Christian message.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's address in Acts 26:26 masterfully employs several literary devices. The direct address to Agrippa, "For the king knoweth of these things," exemplifies **Apostrophe**, a rhetorical device where the speaker directly addresses an absent or imaginary person or an abstract quality or thing. This creates a sense of intimacy and direct challenge, drawing Agrippa into the argument. The phrase "this thing was not done in a corner" is a powerful **Idiom**, conveying the idea of public knowledge and transparency. It vividly contrasts the open nature of the Gospel events with any notion of secrecy or hidden cultic practices. Furthermore, Paul's assertion that "none of these things are hidden from him" can be seen as a form of **Understatement** or **Litotes**, where an affirmative is expressed by the negation of its contrary. By stating that the events are *not hidden*, Paul strongly implies that they are, in fact, widely and publicly known, thereby emphasizing their undeniable reality and significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 26:26 powerfully underscores the historical and public nature of the Christian faith, demonstrating that its core tenets are not based on myth or secret knowledge, but on verifiable events that occurred in plain sight. This emphasis on public witness aligns with the biblical understanding of God's revelation as something that is openly declared and accessible, not confined to an elite few. The resurrection of Jesus, in particular, was a public event, attested to by numerous eyewitnesses, forming the bedrock of the apostolic message. Paul’s confidence stems from this objective reality, inviting Agrippa to acknowledge what he already knows to be true.

* [Luke 24:44-47](/luke/24-44-47 "Luke 24:44-47 - Prophetic Fulfillment and Witness")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3-8 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - The Eyewitnesses of the Resurrection")
* [John 18:20](/john/18-20 "John 18:20 - Jesus' Public Teaching")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 26:26 offers profound encouragement and guidance for believers today. It reminds us that our faith is not a private, subjective experience divorced from reality, but is rooted in historical events that were publicly witnessed and widely known. This should instill in us a deep confidence in the truth of the Gospel, empowering us to speak "freely" and boldly about Christ, just as Paul did before Agrippa. We are called to be transparent in our faith, allowing its light to shine openly rather than confining it to the "corners" of our private lives. In a world often skeptical of truth claims, the verifiable and open nature of the Gospel provides a solid foundation for our witness. We are challenged to consider how we might present the truth of Christ in ways that appeal to the existing knowledge and understanding of those around us, inviting them to confront the undeniable reality of God's work in history.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the historical and public nature of the Gospel, as emphasized in this verse, strengthen your personal faith and confidence?**
* **In what ways might we, as believers, be tempted to keep our faith "in a corner" rather than speaking freely about it?**
* **How can we, like Paul, appeal to the common knowledge or understanding of those around us when sharing the message of Christ?**
* **What are the "these things" in our contemporary context that are "not done in a corner" concerning the impact of Christ and Christianity?**

### FAQ
**What does Paul mean by "this thing was not done in a corner"?**

Answer: This is an idiomatic expression meaning that the events Paul was referring to—primarily the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the subsequent growth of the early Christian movement—were not obscure, secret, or hidden occurrences. Instead, they were public, widely known, and openly discussed events that took place in the full view of society. Paul uses this phrase to emphasize the verifiable and undeniable historical reality of the foundation of the Christian faith, asserting that King Agrippa, being well-informed about Jewish affairs, would certainly be aware of them. It contrasts with the idea of a clandestine or secretive cult.

**Why was it important for Paul to appeal to King Agrippa's knowledge?**

Answer: Paul appealed to King Agrippa's knowledge for several strategic reasons. First, Agrippa was known to be an expert in Jewish law, customs, and prophecies ([Acts 26:3](/acts/26-3 "Acts 26:3 - Paul's Acknowledgment of Agrippa's Expertise")). By framing his defense in terms of prophetic fulfillment and events known to Agrippa, Paul sought to establish common ground and demonstrate that Christianity was not a new, foreign religion but the logical culmination of Jewish Scripture. Second, it served as a powerful rhetorical device, suggesting that the truth of the Gospel was so evident that even a non-Christian ruler like Agrippa could not deny its historical reality. Paul aimed to persuade Agrippa not just of his innocence, but of the truth of the Gospel itself, hoping for a conversion ([Acts 26:27-29](/acts/26-27-29 "Acts 26:27-29 - Paul's Appeal to Agrippa")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 26:26, with its declaration that "this thing was not done in a corner," profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The entire narrative of salvation, culminating in Jesus Christ, is presented not as a mystical, hidden truth for a select few, but as a public, historical reality unfolding in the full light of human history. Jesus's ministry was conducted openly, teaching in synagogues and the Temple courts ([John 18:20](/john/18-20 "John 18:20 - Jesus' Public Teaching")), performing miracles before crowds ([Luke 8:43-48](/luke/8-43-48 "Luke 8:43-48 - The Woman with the Issue of Blood")), and speaking plainly about His identity and mission. His crucifixion, far from being a secret execution, was a public spectacle outside Jerusalem's walls, witnessed by many ([Matthew 27:33-50](/matthew/27-33-50 "Matthew 27:33-50 - The Crucifixion")). Most critically, His resurrection was attested to by numerous eyewitnesses over a period of forty days ([Acts 1:3](/acts/1-3 "Acts 1:3 - Jesus' Post-Resurrection Appearances")), appearing to hundreds at once ([1 Corinthians 15:6](/1_corinthians/15-6 "1 Corinthians 15:6 - Christ's Appearance to Over 500")). This public, verifiable nature of Christ's life, death, and resurrection is the very foundation of the Gospel Paul proclaimed. It underscores that God's ultimate act of salvation was not whispered in a "corner" but was a monumental, world-altering event, intended to be known by all nations ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")), inviting open scrutiny and demanding a public response of faith and repentance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 26:2

I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

Acts 26:3

Especially [because I know] thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

Acts 2:1

¶ And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Acts 2:12

And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

Acts 5:18

And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

Acts 5:42

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Matthew 27:29

And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put [it] upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!