Paul's threefold repetition of his Damascus road encounter (Acts 9, 22, 26) escalates in detail each time, culminating here with the previously unmentioned commission to "open their eyes.
Acts 26
Paul Before Agrippa
1Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.
2“I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you today concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews,
3especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4“Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem;
5having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers,
7which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa!
8Why is it judged incredible with you if God does raise the dead?
9“I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10I also did this in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.
11Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
12“Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,
13at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me.
14When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15“I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will reveal to you;
17delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,
18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen,
23how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles.”
24As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”
25But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.
26For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner.
27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
28Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”
29Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.”
30The king rose up with the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them.
31When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”
32Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
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Theme
Paul delivers his most detailed defense before King Agrippa, recounting his transformation from zealous persecutor to apostle of Christ. He emphasizes his impeccable Jewish credentials and describes his dramatic Damascus road encounter with the risen Jesus, who commissioned him to preach to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul argues that his message of resurrection and redemption fulfills Old Testament prophecies, making his persecution by fellow Jews tragically ironic.
Context
This defense before Agrippa follows Paul's earlier hearings with Felix and Festus, representing his final opportunity to present his case before appealing to Caesar.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3 Paul's Respectful Opening Paul expresses gratitude for the opportunity to defend himself before the knowledgeable King Agrippa.
- 4-8 Jewish Credentials and Core Issue Paul establishes his Pharisaic background and frames his case around the Jewish hope of resurrection.
- 9-11 Former Life as Persecutor Paul describes his zealous persecution of Christians before his conversion.
- 12-18 The Damascus Road Encounter Paul recounts his vision of the risen Christ and his commission to minister to Jews and Gentiles.
- 19-23 Obedient Ministry and Persecution Paul explains how his faithful preaching of prophetic fulfillment led to Jewish opposition and his current imprisonment.
Paul Before Agrippa
26:1–26:32 narrative speech defiant
Paul defends himself before King Agrippa, recounting his conversion experience on the road to Damascus and his calling to preach to the Gentiles. He emphasizes the hope of resurrection and his transformation from persecutor to apostle.
person_contrast
Paul's threefold repetition of his Damascus road encounter (Acts 9, 22, 26) escalates in detail each time, culminating here with the previously unmentioned commission to "open their eyes.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Acts 26:1 2 references
Acts 26:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 25:24 Lexical
Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom all the multitude of t…
Acts 19:40 Lexical
For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t b…
Acts 25:26 Lexical
of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before…
Acts 20:3 Lexical
When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he…
Acts 23:27 Lexical
“This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, havi…
Acts 26:5 1 reference
Acts 26:7 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Timothy 1:3 Lexical
I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitio…
Acts 25:13 Lexical
Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.
Luke 2:37 Lexical
and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and p…
Revelation 7:15 Lexical
Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne w…
1 Timothy 5:5 Lexical
Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day…
Acts 26:9 1 reference
Acts 26:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 2:33 Lexical
Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he…
Acts 9:14 Lexical
Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
Matthew 16:21 Lexical
From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, c…
Luke 3:20 Lexical
added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.
Acts 8:25 Lexical
They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good Ne…
Acts 26:11 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 23:34 Lexical
Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of th…
Matthew 10:23 Lexical
But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone thro…
Acts 21:5 Lexical
When those days were over, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way…
Luke 4:29 Lexical
They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they mig…
Acts 21:30 Lexical
All the city was moved and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the…
Acts 26:12 1 reference
Acts 26:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
Revelation 16:12 Lexical
The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates. Its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared…
Luke 22:56 Lexical
A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”
Acts 8:39 Lexical
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, f…
Matthew 2:9 Lexical
They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them until it…
Acts 21:5 Lexical
When those days were over, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way…
Acts 26:14 4 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 9:4 Lexical
He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
Acts 22:7 Lexical
I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
Acts 22:2 Lexical
When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said,
Acts 21:40 Lexical
When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a g…
Acts 26:16 2 references
Acts 26:18 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 6:23 Lexical
But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, ho…
Acts 10:43 Lexical
All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
Acts 2:38 Lexical
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins,…
Acts 26:20 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 8:1 Lexical
Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. The…
Revelation 2:5 Lexical
Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, an…
Acts 13:46 Lexical
Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since ind…
Acts 26:22 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 28:23 Lexical
When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s…
1 Corinthians 14:5 Lexical
Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more that you would prophesy. For he is greater who pr…
Revelation 20:12 Lexical
I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, whi…
Revelation 19:18 Lexical
that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of thos…
Acts 3:21 Lexical
whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy…
Acts 26:23 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 4:2 Lexical
being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Revelation 20:5 Lexical
The rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
1 Peter 2:9 Lexical
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim t…
Luke 2:32 Lexical
a light for revelation to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Matthew 27:64 Lexical
Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal h…
Acts 26:24 4 references
Lexicals 4
Acts 24:10 Lexical
When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation…
Acts 25:23 Lexical
So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing wi…
Acts 25:14 Lexical
As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner b…
Acts 16:28 Lexical
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Don’t harm yourself, for we are all here!”
Acts 26:25 1 reference
Acts 26:26 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 19:8 Lexical
He entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things c…
Acts 18:25 Lexical
This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the thi…
Hebrews 6:9 Lexical
But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things for you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we speak like…
Acts 26:28 1 reference
Acts 26:29 1 reference
Acts 26:31 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 23:29 Lexical
I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of impris…
Luke 23:15 Lexical
Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.
Acts 25:11 Lexical
For if I have done wrong and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things…
Acts 25:25 Lexical
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I determined…
Romans 1:32 Lexical
who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but al…
Acts 26:32 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 25:24 Lexical
Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom all the multitude of t…
Acts 25:22 Lexical
Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
Acts 25:12 Lexical
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”
Acts 25:11 Lexical
For if I have done wrong and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things…
Acts 25:23 Lexical
So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing wi…
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