Commentary of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible
Bible Study Acts 26: 1-32
Text:
26 Now Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul, stretching out his hand, began to make his defense:
2 “Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I regard myself blessed, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today; 3 [a]especially because you are an expert in all customs and [b]questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. 6 And now I am standing here being tried for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. 8 Why is it considered unbelievable among all of you if God does raise the dead?
9 “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 And this is [c]just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the [d]saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to [e]foreign cities.
Paul Tells of His Conversion
12 “[f]While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, [g]brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the [h]Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? [i]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and a witness not only to the things which you have [j]seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’
19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing deeds appropriate to repentance. 21 For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to put me to death. 22 Therefore, having obtained help from God to this day, I stand here bearing witness both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; 23 [k]that the [l]Christ was [m]to suffer, and [n]that as first of the resurrection from the dead, He was going to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
24 Now while [o]Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! [p]Great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul *said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words [q]of sober truth. 26 For the king [r]knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a [s]corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know you believe.” 28 But Agrippa replied to Paul, “[t]In such short time [u]are you persuading me to become a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “I would pray to God, that whether [v]in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 And the king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or [w]imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “Now Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul, stretching out his hand, began to make his defense:”
Herod allowed Paul to speak in his defense, as no accusers were present. Paul began his speech with a common gesture, stretching out his hand.
Verse 2: “‘Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I regard myself blessed, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today;’”
Paul addresses Agrippa, an intelligent man well-versed in Mosaic Law and Jewish customs. Paul is delighted to speak with someone so knowledgeable, as Agrippa will grasp the nuances of his message. Though Paul is also learned in Mosaic Law, his encounter with Christ has transformed his understanding. A new light illuminates his soul, revealing Christ as the fulfillment of the Law for righteousness. Paul now understands that God has graciously provided what He demands. He desires King Agrippa to comprehend this profound truth.
Verse 3: “‘especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.’”
Herod Agrippa II, the great-grandson of Herod the Great and son of Herod Agrippa I, possessed an intimate knowledge of Jewish customs and controversies. Despite his unpopularity among Jews due to an incestuous relationship with his sister Bernice, Agrippa II held significant influence in Jewish religious affairs through his political authority to appoint the high priest.
Verse 4: “‘So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem;’”
Though Paul was born outside his own nation, he was raised in Jerusalem among his people. Despite his recent interactions with Gentiles, which had offended the Jews, he was initially deeply connected to the Jewish nation and its interests. His education was neither foreign nor obscure; it took place in Jerusalem, where religious and scholarly pursuits thrived. All Jews who could recall knew this, as Paul became notable early on. Those who knew him from the beginning could attest that he was a Pharisee—not merely a follower of the Jewish religion and its ordinances, but a member of its strictest sect. He was meticulous in observing its institutions himself and rigid in imposing them on others. He didn't just claim to be a Pharisee; he lived as one. Everyone who knew him understood that no Pharisee adhered more precisely to the rules of their order than he did. Furthermore, he belonged to the better sort of Pharisees, having been educated by Gamaliel, an esteemed rabbi from the House of Hillel, a school far more respected for its religious scholarship than the House of Shammai.
Verse 5: “‘since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.’”
Paul emphasized his Pharisaic background and adherence to the strictest party, asserting the legitimacy of his Judaism by highlighting his reliance on the God of his ancestors and his connections with the Pharisees. He contended that God had promised the resurrection of the body—a belief shared by Jews generally and Pharisees specifically—which paradoxically formed the basis of the accusations against him.
Verse 6: “‘And now I am standing here being tried for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers;’”
"The hope of the promise" signifies the coming of the Messiah and His kingdom.
Verse 7: “‘the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.’”
The term “twelve tribes” frequently appears in the New Testament to refer to Israel (e.g., Matthew 19:28, James 1:1, Revelation 21:12). The notion that the ten northern tribes were "lost" is incorrect. Representatives from all twelve tribes intermingled, a process that started during Hezekiah's reign and continued both before and after the Exile.
Verse 8: “‘Why is it considered unbelievable among all of you if God does raise the dead?’”
Paul couldn't grasp why he was being condemned for his belief in the resurrection, which was the cornerstone of hope for the Jewish people.
Verse 9: “‘So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus the Nazarene.’”
In his own estimation, he was utterly mistaken. He believed he was obligated to do many things, everything within his power, contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth—contrary to His teachings, His honor, and His interests. Although that name caused no harm, because it didn't align with his understanding of the Messiah's kingdom, he felt compelled to oppose it with all his might. He thought he was performing a service to God by persecuting those who invoked the name of Jesus Christ.
It's important to note that individuals can be convinced they are right, even when they are demonstrably wrong. They can also believe they are fulfilling their duty while knowingly persisting in grave sin. Those who hated their brethren and cast them out claimed, "Let the Lord be glorified". Under the guise and pretense of religion, the most brutal and inhumane acts of wickedness have not only been justified but also sanctified and even celebrated.
Verse 10: “And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them.”
“Saints” were Christian believers. “I cast my vote” literally means, "I threw my pebble." This refers to the ancient practice of using colored pebbles for voting and may suggest Paul was once a member of the Sanhedrin.
Verse 11: “‘And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.’”
“To force them to blaspheme” was to make them renounce their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Saul of Tarsus harbored an unyielding and brutal animosity towards Jesus Christ and the gospel, making him one of the Lord Jesus's fiercest adversaries.
Verse 12: “‘While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,’”
Paul viewed his Damascus Road experience as incredibly significant. He shared this transformative event twice: first, with a Jewish crowd in Jerusalem (Acts 22:6–16), and later, with a largely pagan audience in Caesarea.
Verse 13: “‘at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me.’”
Paul recounts his experience on the Damascus Road, where the Lord Jesus confronted him, causing him to fall to the ground and hear Jesus speak. At that moment, Paul understood he was opposing God's will.
Verse 14: “‘And when we had all fallen to the ground, 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.’’”
He heard a clear, heavenly voice speaking to him in Hebrew, his native language and the language of his religion. This detail, not previously mentioned, subtly reminded him that even though he was to be sent among the Gentiles, he should not forget his Hebrew roots or become a stranger to his own language.
Verse 15: “‘And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.’”
Paul, who once saw those he persecuted as mere burdens on earth, didn't realize he was insulting individuals who were in fact destined for the glories of heaven. When haters of Christians attack them, the Lord Jesus Christ considers it as an attack against Him personally.
Verse 16: “But rise up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;”
Christ began a correspondence with Paul, which He intended to continue. At this time, Christ only informed Paul that he would receive further communication. Initially, Paul's understanding of the gospel was unclear until Christ appeared to him and provided more complete instructions. Paul directly received the gospel he preached from Christ, but this revelation occurred gradually, at different times as needed. Christ frequently appeared to Paul, likely more often than recorded, continuously teaching him so that Paul could continue to teach the people the true Gospel.
Verse 17: “rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,”
He received spiritual protection as Christ's witness, and the powers of darkness could not overcome him until he completed his testimony.
Verse 18: “ to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’”
Unbelievers are spiritually blind, a condition perpetuated by Satan. Salvation is often symbolized by light, signifying the transition from the darkness of spiritual blindness. The most crucial outcome of salvation is the forgiveness of sins. Everyone will pay for their sins throughout all eternity unless they have a substitute. The only substitute that pays for your sins is the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Believers receive an inheritance, which represents the eternal blessings they will experience in heaven. There is no justification unless there is an accompanying sanctification (being set apart for God and growing in Christlikeness). Being saved, i.e. justification, is 100% of the Lord; however, sanctification is a joint effort between the Holy Spirit and the believer. However, to be clear, the Bible consistently teaches that salvation is achieved solely through faith, not through human actions.
Verse 19: ““So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision,”
God granted him a heart that readily complied with the divine calling. Indeed, anyone would agree that obedience to such a vision is paramount. Heavenly visions possess a commanding authority over earthly considerations, and disobedience to them carries significant risk. However, if Paul had consulted with human wisdom or allowed himself to be swayed by personal interests, he might have acted like Jonah, choosing any path other than the one appointed to him. Yet, God put that holy desire in him and he responded with obedience. He accepted the commission, and having received his instructions, he proceeded to act accordingly.
Verse 20: “but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing deeds appropriate to repentance.”
A changed lifestyle is intrinsically tied to genuine repentance. We are not saved by works, but we do good works because we are saved.
Verse 21: “For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to put me to death.”
The Jewish leaders presented falsehoods, but the real reason for the events was actually this. The same is true today. If a man of God preaches the truth of the gospel and that includes the necessity of repentance, he won’t be killed physically in the USA, but he might get “canceled” or attacked on social media. The Gospel opposers will do all they can to “kill” his ministry.
Verse 22: “Therefore, having obtained help from God to this day, I stand here bearing witness both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;”
"Moses" is often used to refer to the law, as he wrote the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible that contain the law. Paul preached the Word starting at Genesis through Malachi, as the New Testament was being written. You can preach the Gospel truth using all Old Testament Scriptures. Genesis through Revelation is the complete Word of God. Don’t add to it or take away from it.
Verse 23: “‘that the Christ was to suffer, and that as first of the resurrection from the dead, He was going to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.’”
Despite scriptural teachings by the Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles, the Jews struggled to accept the suffering and death of the Messiah. This rejection led to Paul's arrest and the desire for his execution. In the Old Testament, there are two Messiahs referenced: Messiah ben Joseph: The Peaceful Reign of the Messiah and Messiah ben David: The Powerful Reign of the Messiah. One would be the suffering Servant and One the conquering King. One is represented by our Lord’s first coming and One by His Second Coming. The first is seen in Zechariah 9: 9-10 and the latter in Zechariah 14: 2-4; 8-9.
Verse 24: “Now while Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind! Great learning is driving you out of your mind.’”
Festus, a learned Roman, found it incomprehensible that Paul, also a scholar, could believe in resurrection—a concept no intelligent Roman would accept. Overwhelmed, Festus interrupted the proceedings, exclaiming that Paul's vast knowledge had driven him mad.
Verse 25: “But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.’”
Paul's interruption at this juncture is regrettable. However, his polite reply clearly shows he is neither insane nor fanatical.
Verse 26: “‘For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.’”
The death and resurrection of Jesus, as proclaimed by Christians, were widely known throughout Israel. This was not something done in secret.
Verse 27: “‘King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know you believe.’”
Agrippa faced a difficult decision: refusing Paul's request would upset the Jews, but agreeing to it would mean a loss of prestige, as Paul would then press him to embrace the gospel.
Verse 28: “But Agrippa replied to Paul, ‘In such short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?’”
The king employed a delaying tactic, asserting that a half-hour speech was inadequate for someone to become a Christian. In the first century, "Christian" was likely a derogatory term.
Verse 29: “And Paul said, ‘I would pray to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.’”
Paul replied, “I would pray to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” Paul expresses his fervent desire for everyone to experience the same relationship with Christ as he has, but without the burden of imprisonment. This statement comes from a man who was once a proud and passionate Pharisee, and who, just years prior, had Christians bound and executed. His transformation is evident in his current attitude: he now longs for all people to embrace Christianity and to cultivate a vibrant, personal connection with Jesus Christ.
Verse 30: “And the king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them,”
Everyone present concurred that Paul was an innocent man and that his prosecution was unjust. The court adjourned somewhat abruptly.
Verse 31: “and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, ‘This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.’”
After the hearing, Agrippa and Festus deliberated privately on Paul's case. They concurred that he was innocent and could have been released, had he not appealed to Caesar.
Verse 32: “And Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.’”
Paul's journey to Rome is clearly established. The decision to appeal to Caesar has been questioned by some, who suggest it was an error on Paul's part. However, I maintain that his appeal was not a mistake. It was part of God’s Providential plan.
