PrevActs 26:13Next

Acts 26

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

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:

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.

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

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;

Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

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.

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

What does Acts 26:13 mean?

Explanation

In Acts 26:13, the Apostle Paul recounts his dramatic conversion experience to King Agrippa II.

The verse describes a supernatural occurrence where Paul (then known as Saul) encounters a divine light from heaven, which is described as being brighter than the sun.

This light appears while Paul is on the road to Damascus, with the intent to persecute Christians.

The brilliance of this light, which shines "round about me and them which journeyed with me," indicates the profound nature of this event and serves to emphasize the divine origin of the experience.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The Book of Acts, authored by Luke the Evangelist, provides a history of the early Christian church and the spread of the gospel after Jesus' resurrection and ascension.

Acts 26:13 is part of Paul's defense before King Agrippa II, where Paul accounts for his background, conversion, and mission.

At this time, Christianity was spreading, but not without resistance and persecution from both Jewish and Roman authorities.

Paul's encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus is a pivotal event in the New Testament, marking the conversion of one of Christianity's most influential figures from a persecutor to a proponent of the faith.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse carries significant weight.

It can be understood as a demonstration of God's direct intervention in human affairs and the divine selection of Paul as a chosen instrument to preach to the Gentiles.

The light is not only physical but also metaphorical, representing the enlightenment and revelation of Jesus Christ to Paul.

This event underlines the belief in Christ as a transformative power and reinforces the concept of revelation as a central theme in Christian theology.

Practical Applications

The encounter described in Acts 26:13 can inspire individuals to consider the transformative power of spiritual experiences and personal epiphanies. It encourages an openness to radical changes in one’s beliefs and life direction, guided by divine influence.

The verse also invites believers to reflect on their own conversion experiences and the impact of God’s presence in their lives, emphasizing the importance of testimony as a means of sharing one's faith journey.

Cross-References

Acts 9:3-4 (Paul's original conversion experience)
Acts 22:6-11 (another account of Paul's conversion)
1 Timothy 1:12-14 (Paul's own reflection on God's mercy in his conversion)
2 Corinthians 4:6 (the theme of light in the context of knowledge of the glory of God)

Language Study

In the original Greek, the verse uses key phrases like "a light from heaven" (φῶς ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ) which is indicative of a divine or supernatural origin.

The phrase "above the brightness of the sun" (ὑπὲρ τὴν λαμπρότητα τοῦ ἡλίου) indicates an surpassing brilliance, with "lamprotēs" often used to describe the glory and magnificence of heavenly beings or divine phenomena.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the religious and cultural context of the time, bright lights and divine encounters were not unique to Christianity.

Various ancient myths and religions describe gods revealing themselves in blinding light.

For example, in Greek mythology, the god Zeus often manifested with grand displays of light and lightning.

The encounter between Paul and the divine light can be likened to those theophanies, though with a distinct monotheistic and Christ-centered focus.

Scientific Perspectives

While the historical and theological context sees Paul's experience as a miraculous event, from a modern scientific perspective, such an occurrence might be analyzed for natural explanations, including meteorological phenomena or subjective neurological events.

It's important to note that within the scientific community, miraculous claims are typically outside the scope of empirical investigation and are often interpreted through psychological or naturalistic lenses.

Commentaries

Commentary on this verse varies among biblical scholars.

Some emphasize the legitimacy and supernatural nature of Paul's conversion, noting it as a defining moment for Christianity.

Others focus on the story's symbolic meaning, interpreting the light as representing knowledge and truth dispelling the darkness of ignorance.

Still, others may analyze the text from a historical-critical perspective, considering the accounts in Acts 9, 22, and 26 as various retellings of the same core event, evaluating consistencies and differences.

Regardless of their perspective, scholars agree on the significance of this event in the life of Paul and in the history of the Christian faith.

Acts 26

Acts 26

What does Acts 26:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 26:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?