Acts26

Paul defends himself before King Agrippa, recounting his past as a zealous Pharisee who persecuted Christians. He then describes his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, where he received a divine commission from Jesus to preach to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul asserts that his current imprisonment stems from his obedience to this heavenly vision, proclaiming nothing but what Moses and the prophets foretold.

Paul Addresses King Agrippa

1
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: ​
2
“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that it is before you today that I am defending myself against all the charges made against me by Jews, ​
3
because you are so well informed about all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. ​

Paul’s Life as a Pharisee

4
“So then! All Jews know how I lived my life from my youth on, both in my own country and in Yerushalayim. ​
5
They have known me for a long time; and if they are willing, they can testify that I have followed the strictest party in our religion — that is, I have lived as a Parush. ​
6
How ironic it is that I stand on trial here because of my hope in the promise made to our fathers! ​
7
It is the fulfillment of this very promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they resolutely carry on their acts of worship night and day; yet it is in connection with this hope, your Majesty, that I am being accused by Jews! ​
8
Why do you people consider it incredible that God raises the dead? ​

The Persecutor’s Zeal

9
“I used to think it was my duty to do all I could to combat the name of Yeshua from Natzeret; ​
10
and in Yerushalayim I did so. After receiving authority from the head cohanim, I myself threw many of God’s people in prison; when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. ​
11
Often I went from one synagogue to another, punishing them and trying to make them blaspheme; and in my wild fury against them, I even went so far as to persecute them in cities outside the country. ​

The Damascus Road Vision

12
“On one such occasion, I was traveling to Dammesek with the full authority and power of the head cohanim. ​
13
I was on the road, and it was noon, your Majesty, when I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my traveling companions. ​
14
We all fell to the ground; and then I heard a voice saying to me, in Hebrew, ‘Sha’ul! Sha’ul! Why do you keep persecuting me? It’s hard on you to be kicking against the ox-goads!’ ​
15
I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ and the Lord answered, ‘I am Yeshua, and you are persecuting me!
16
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. ​
17
I will deliver you from the People and from the Goyim. I am sending you ​
18
to open their eyes; so that they will turn from darkness to light, from the power of the Adversary to God, and thus receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who have been separated for holiness by putting their trust in me.’ ​

Obedience to the Heavenly Call

19
“So, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the vision from heaven! ​
20
On the contrary, I announced first in Dammesek, then in Yerushalayim and throughout Y’hudah, and also to the Goyim, that they should turn from their sins to God and then do deeds consistent with that repentance. ​
21
It was because of these things that Jews seized me in the Temple and tried to kill me. ​
22
However, I have had God’s help; so to this day, I stand testifying to both small and great, saying nothing but what both the prophets and Moshe said would happen — ​
23
that the Messiah would die, and that he, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to both the People and the Goyim.” ​

Festus and Agrippa Respond

24
But just as he reached this point in his defense, Festus shouted at the top of his voice, “Sha’ul, you’re out of your mind! So much learning is driving you crazy!” ​
25
But Sha’ul said, “No, I am not ‘crazy,’ Festus, your Excellency; on the contrary, I am speaking words of truth and sanity. ​
26
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. ​
27
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe!” ​
28
Agrippa said to Sha’ul, “In this short time, you’re trying to convince me to become Messianic?” ​
29
Sha’ul replied, “Whether it takes a short time or a long time, I wish to God that not only you, but also everyone hearing me today, might become just like me except for these chains!” ​

The Hearing Concludes

30
Then the king got up, and with him the governor and Bernice and the others sitting with them.
31
After they had left, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing that deserves either death or prison.” ​
32
And Agrippa said to Festus, “If he hadn’t appealed to the Emperor, he could have been released.” ​

Study Notes for Acts 26

Verse 1

Paul begins his formal defense (apologia) by stretching forth his hand, a common gesture used by ancient orators to command attention and emphasize sincerity.

Verse 2

Paul expresses happiness because Agrippa is uniquely qualified to judge the case, being deeply familiar with Jewish customs and theological disputes.

Verse 3

Agrippa II, the last of the Herodian line, was an expert in Jewish affairs, including the management of the Temple and the appointment of the High Priest. Paul leverages this knowledge immediately.

Verse 4

Paul establishes his impeccable Jewish credentials and history, demonstrating that his current actions are not a departure from the Law, but a fulfillment of it.

Verse 5

Paul stresses that he belonged to the 'most straitest sect' (the strictest), the Pharisees, underscoring his rigorous commitment to traditional Jewish piety before his conversion.

Verse 6

Paul reframes the accusation: he is not on trial for treason or heresy, but for holding the hope of the promise made to the patriarchs—namely, the resurrection of the dead.

Verse 7

The 'twelve tribes' refers to the unified Israel, whose ultimate hope was the final resurrection and the establishment of the Messianic kingdom. Paul argues his faith is the culmination of this national hope.

Verse 8

This rhetorical question challenges the audience's skepticism regarding the resurrection, the key event validating Jesus as the Messiah and the foundation of the Christian message.

Verse 9

Paul openly admits his former zealous opposition to Jesus, confirming that his change of allegiance could only be explained by a powerful, external intervention.

Verse 10

The phrase 'I gave my voice against them' likely means Paul supported the executions, either by voting as a member of the Sanhedrin or by acting as an official witness in a capital case.

Verse 11

Paul’s attempt to compel Christians to 'blaspheme' (renounce Christ) demonstrates the intensity of his persecution and the pressure placed upon early believers.

Verse 12

Paul begins the detailed account of his conversion, emphasizing that he was acting under official religious authority when the divine intervention occurred.

Verse 13

The timing ('at midday') and intensity ('above the brightness of the sun') emphasize the objective, undeniable nature of the revelation, ruling out hallucination.

Verse 14

The phrase 'kick against the pricks' is a Greek proverb meaning it is painful and pointless to resist a superior force (like an ox resisting the goad). This detail is unique to this account of the conversion.

Verse 16

Paul receives his commission directly from the resurrected Christ to be a 'minister' (servant) and a 'witness' (testifier) of these divine truths.

Verse 17

Paul’s mission would be dangerous, requiring divine protection from both his own people (the Jews) and the Gentiles.

Verse 18

This verse provides a concise summary of the gospel's transformative power: spiritual illumination, conversion from the domain of Satan to God, forgiveness, and eternal inheritance through faith.

Verse 19

Paul asserts that his subsequent ministry, which led to his current imprisonment, was simply an act of obedience to the clear, divine command he received.

Verse 20

The message Paul preached was consistent everywhere: repentance (a change of mind), turning to God, and demonstrating that conversion through 'works meet for repentance' (Acts 20:21).

Verse 21

Paul concludes his defense by showing the logical connection: his current situation is a direct result of preaching the resurrection and the inclusion of the Gentiles, not any legal crime.

Verse 22

Paul emphasizes the continuity of his message, asserting that he teaches nothing new, but only that which Moses and the Prophets foretold concerning the Messiah.

Verse 23

Paul summarizes the three essential prophetic points: the Messiah must suffer (death), rise first from the dead (as pioneer of the resurrection), and bring spiritual light to both Israel and the Gentiles.

Verse 24

Festus, a pragmatic Roman administrator, views Paul’s emphasis on resurrection and prophecy as evidence of mental instability caused by excessive philosophical or theological study.

Verse 25

Paul defends his sanity by appealing to the objective nature of his message, characterized by 'truth and soberness' (sound judgment).

Verse 26

Paul appeals to Agrippa's knowledge, noting that the events surrounding Jesus' life and the rise of Christianity were not obscure cult activities but publicly known history ('this thing was not done in a corner').

Verse 27

Paul turns from defense to direct evangelism, forcing Agrippa to acknowledge the authority of the Hebrew Scriptures, which Paul has demonstrated are fulfilled in Christ.

Verse 28

Agrippa’s reply is a famed moment of tension; it may be an admission of conviction, or a sarcastic dismissal: 'Are you trying to convince me to become a Christian so quickly?'

Verse 29

Paul’s response is a profound expression of apostolic desire, wishing salvation upon all listeners, contrasting his spiritual liberty with his physical imprisonment (except these bonds).

Verse 31

The private consultation confirms Paul’s innocence of any crime worthy of death or imprisonment, reinforcing Luke’s theme of Paul’s unjust detention.

Verse 32

Agrippa acknowledges that Paul could have been immediately released, but his appeal to Caesar (Acts 25:11) has transferred jurisdiction, necessitating his journey to Rome.

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