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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 26:21 mean?

Explanation

Acts 26:21 outlines a statement by the Apostle Paul concerning the reason he faced hostility from some Jewish people during his time in Jerusalem.

In this verse, Paul is speaking to King Agrippa II, recounting his experience at the hands of his fellow Jews.

He mentions that the reason for the aggression was his preaching, particularly to the Gentiles, about the need for repentance and turning to God, which also included testimonies about Jesus Christ.

The phrase "these causes" refers to the accusations against him for blasphemy and profaning the temple, which arose due to his evangelistic mission.

This verse is part of Paul's defense, showing the king that his actions were not criminal, but rather rooted in his religious beliefs and the message he was compelled to share.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

The book of Acts was written by Luke, a companion of Paul, who carefully documented the development of the early Christian church.

Acts 26:21 occurs during a scene where Paul, having appealed to Caesar, is making his case before King Agrippa II, the Roman-appointed king of the Jews.

Agrippa was familiar with Jewish customs and the followers of Jesus.

Historically, this event would have taken place before Paul's journey to Rome, probably around 59-60 AD.

The hostility Paul faced can be attributed to a mix of religious zeal, political tension, and the threat that the early Christian movement posed to the established Jewish order and the Roman Empire.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse reinforces the Christian principle of evangelism and the suffering that may come with spreading the Gospel. It highlights the consequences that early Christians, like Paul, often faced when their message challenged religious authority and societal norms.

Some theologians may read this verse as evidence of a divine mandate for perseverance in the face of persecution, while others may see it as a testament to Paul's personal conviction and divine calling.

Practical Applications

The teachings of Acts 26:21 can inform modern-day believers about the importance of standing firm in their faith, even when it is met with opposition.

It can inspire perseverance and courage when sharing one's beliefs and can serve as a reminder that resistance from society does not diminish the truth of the Gospel.

Moreover, it underscores the need for a respectful yet bold approach in discussing faith-related matters in a diverse world.

Cross-References

Acts 21:27-31 - Details the incident that led to Paul's arrest in Jerusalem.
Acts 22:1-21 - Paul shares his testimony and his encounter with Jesus Christ before an angry crowd in Jerusalem.
Acts 23:10-11 - The Roman commander rescues Paul from a violent mob, and the Lord encourages Paul.
2 Timothy 3:12 - Paul reflects on the inevitability of persecution for those living a godly life in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 3:14-17 - Peter instructs believers on how to respond when they suffer for righteousness' sake.

Language Study

The original Greek words used in this verse offer some insights:

"Caught" (ἐπιλαβόμενοι - epilabomenoi) suggests a forceful and aggressive action.

"Went about" (ἐπειρῶντο - epeironto) implies an attempt or endeavor with dedication and intensity.

"To kill" (ἀνελεῖν - anelein) denotes not just the intent but the plan to take someone's life. Understanding these original terms provides a clearer picture of the intense and violent situation Paul faced.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

During the time of Paul, several other religious movements also faced persecution and opposition for their beliefs, especially within the Roman Empire.

For example, certain mystery religions were sometimes met with suspicion or hostility.

Comparatively, the early Christians' insistence on exclusivity (denying other gods and claiming Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life) intensified the persecution they faced, similar to how Socrates was sentenced to death for "not believing in the gods the state believes in."

Scientific Perspectives

While Acts 26:21 doesn't directly intersect with scientific understandings, it involves the sociological aspect of how groups respond to new ideas, especially those that challenge existing cultural and religious norms.

Social psychology may explain the mob behavior against Paul as a product of in-group and out-group dynamics, where the Jewish leaders perceived the early Christian message as a threat to their religious coherence and identity, leading to a hostile reaction.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary: Henry sees this episode as indicative of the unreasonableness and violent temper of the Jews against Paul, driven by their enmity to the Gospel.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: This source emphasizes Paul's continuous struggle against the prejudice of the Jews and their refusal to accept the message of Jesus Christ.
John Calvin's Commentary: Calvin reflects on the innocence of Paul and his commitment to God's truth, highlighting how the malice of his enemies wanted to punish him not for wrongdoing but for his loyalty to God.

These commentaries often stress the broader theme of Christian suffering for the sake of righteousness and the perseverance that Paul exemplifies in facing his adversaries.

Acts 26

Acts 26

What does Acts 26:21 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 26:21 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?