unto . Greek. pros. App-104 . Thou art permitted . Literally It is permitted thee. Greek. epitrepo . Same word as "suffer" and "give licence" (Acts 21:39 , Acts 21:40 ). for = in behalf of. Greek. huper. App-104 . answered, &c . = was making his defence. Greek. apologeomai. See Acts 19:33 . read more
The first twenty-three verses give Paul's address, outlined by Bruce thus:1The complimentary exordium (Acts 26:2f).2His Pharisaic heritage (Acts 26:4f).3His former persecuting zeal (Acts 26:9f).4His vision on Damascus road (Acts 26:12f).5His lifelong obedience to vision (Acts 26:19f).6His arrest (Acts 26:21).7His teaching (Acts 26:21-23).[1]The rest of the chapter gives Festus' interruption and the exchange between Paul and King Agrippa (Acts 26:24-29), also the conclusion of the meeting (Acts... read more
Acts 26:1. Paul stretched forth the hand,— Elsner shews this to have been esteemed at that time a very decent expression of earnestness in one who spoke in public; though some of the most illustrious Greek orators in earlier ages, as Pericles, Themistocles, Aristides, thought it a point of modesty to avoid it. But this was the effect of a false taste; and it is certain, that the prince of orators, Demosthenes, often made use of this gesture. read more
1-3. Agrippa said—Being a king he appears to have presided. Paul stretched forth the hand—chained to a soldier ( :-, and see on Acts 26:1). read more
Paul apparently stretched out his hand assuming the pose of an orator. The phrase "stretched out his hand" in Greek differs from the similar ones in Acts 13:16 and Acts 21:40. This defense is Paul’s fullest, most formal, and climactic of all the ones Luke recorded in Acts (cf. Acts 22:1-21; Acts 23:1-6; Acts 24:10-21; Acts 25:8; Acts 25:10-11). It is quite similar to the one he delivered from the steps of the Antonia Fortress (Acts 22:1-21), but he selected his words here carefully to appeal to... read more
Paul’s speech to the dignitaries 26:1-23Paul was not on trial here. When he had appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11), he had guaranteed that his next trial would be before the emperor. This was just a hearing designed to acquaint Agrippa with Paul’s case so Agrippa could give Festus help in understanding it and communicating it to the emperor."This testimony of Paul is not a defense of himself. It is a declaration of the gospel with the evident purpose of winning Agrippa and the others present to... read more
Defence before Agrippa1-32. St. Paul before Agrippa. This speech, though in form a defence to the Jews, is really intended by St. Luke to be St. Paul’s defence to the world—an apology for his whole life and work.Analysis. Opening compliment to Agrippa (Acts 26:2-3); the Apostle’s orthodox Pharisaic education (Acts 26:4-5); he is really called in question because he believes in the hope of all orthodox Jews, the coming of the Messiah, and the Resurrection (Acts 26:6-8); his persecution of the... read more
XXVI.(1) Then Paul stretched forth the hand.—The characteristic attitude reminds us of Acts 21:40. Here it acquires a fresh pictorial vividness from the fact that St. Paul now stood before the court as a prisoner, with one arm, probably the left, chained to the soldier who kept guard over him. (Comp. Acts 26:29.) read more
Reasons for Doubt Acts 26:8 That is a new apologetic; that is a Strategic move of the first order. This is new to me; that is a masterstroke. What a sagacious statesman was the Apostle Paul! Hitherto we had been thinking that it was the place of faith to give reasons; the Apostle pushes the war to the other side, and says, You must give reasons for your doubt. Why, that opens a wide field of criticism and observation and profitable comment. It is the Apostle who says, Stand up, and defend... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Acts 26:1-32
Paul again declared innocent (25:13-26:32)Among those who came to Caesarea to pay their respects to the new governor was Herod Agrippa II. This man was the son of Herod Agrippa I (the governor mentioned in 12:1-4,20-23) and the brother of Bernice and Drusilla (13; cf. 24:24; see ‘The New Testament World’). He was Rome’s appointed ruler over certain areas in the far north of Palestine, but he had no power in the region governed by Festus. He was, however, an expert on Jewish affairs (see... read more