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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 26:25 mean?

Explanation

In Acts 26:25, the Apostle Paul is addressing Festus, the Roman governor of Judea.

Festus has just accused Paul of being insane because of his passionate preaching about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, as well as his claim that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead.

In his defense, Paul asserts his sanity, emphasizing that the statements he makes are both true and rational.

The phrase "most noble Festus" signifies Paul’s respect for the governor’s authority, despite the accusation. Paul is essentially arguing that the message he shares is not a result of madness but is based on reality and sound judgment.

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Historical Context

This verse takes place during Paul's trial before Festus.

Having been accused by Jewish leaders of various crimes, Paul asserts his right as a Roman citizen to be tried before the emperor.

Before being sent to Rome, Festus arranges for King Agrippa to hear Paul's case.

During this hearing, as Paul shares his conversion experience and the gospel message, Festus interrupts him, claiming that too much learning has driven Paul insane.

The historical context is tied to the early spread of Christianity and the conflicts it often caused with Jewish tradition and Roman authority.

Theological Insights

Theological viewpoints on this verse show a contrast between human perceptions of truth and the divine message of the Gospel.

From a Christian theological perspective, Paul's response represents the convictions of someone who has experienced the transformative power of the resurrection of Christ.

This verse illustrates the tension between the sacred and the secular, enlightened truth versus worldly wisdom.

Practical Applications

In terms of practical application, this verse serves as an encouragement to believers to stand firm in their convictions and to speak the truth with confidence, even when faced with misunderstanding, ridicule, or accusations of irrationality.

This verse can also encourage civility and respect in discourse, as evidenced by Paul's respectful address to Festus even as he defends his sanity and the truth he proclaims.

Cross-References

2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
1 Peter 3:15 - "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."

Language Study

"Mad" translates from the Greek word "mainomai," which means to be insane or to act like a madman.
"Truth" comes from "aletheia," which signifies that which is true to fact, reality, or genuine truth.
"Soberness" is translated from the Greek "sophrosune," implying self-control, soundness of mind, or sanity.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Greco-Roman culture, where oratory and philosophy were highly valued, being accused of madness would have been a serious claim.

Within a religious context, Judaism at the time held a belief in the resurrection at the end of days, but the immediacy of Jesus’s resurrection was controversial.

The early Christian claim of Jesus’s resurrection was seen as radical and often contested by both Roman and Jewish contemporaries.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understanding of mental health recognizes a distinction between mental disorders and passionate belief.

From a scientific standpoint, the description of Paul's behavior would not indicate insanity but intense conviction and intellectual commitment to his beliefs.

Commentaries

Commentators offer various insights into this verse:

Some suggest that Festus's claim of Paul's madness reflects a common Roman suspicion toward new and unfamiliar ideologies.
Others point out the rhetorical skill in Paul's response, combining deferential language with a firm defense of his message.
Additionally, scholars recognize this passage as demonstrating the early Christian insistence on the factual basis of their faith, especially the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which was central to their message despite its incredulity to others.

Acts 26

Acts 26

What does Acts 26:25 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 26:25 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?