Acts 26:22-23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 26:12-23

All who believe a God, and have a reverence for his sovereignty, must acknowledge that those who speak and act by his direction, and by warrant from him, are not to be opposed; for that is fighting against God. Now Paul here, by a plain and faithful narrative of matters of fact, makes it out to this august assembly that he had an immediate call from heaven to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentile world, which was the thing that exasperated the Jews against him. He here shows, I. That he... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 26:19-23

26:19-23 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. But first of all to those in Damascus, and to Jerusalem, and throughout the whole land of Judaea and to the Gentiles, I brought the message to repent and turn to God and do deeds to match their repentance. Because of this the Jews seized me in the Temple and tried to do away with me. So then because I have received the help of God up to this day, I stand bearing witness to great and small, saying nothing beyond... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 26:22

Having therefore obtained help of God ,.... Both to preach the Gospel, and escape danger; for he had delivered him many a time both from Jews and Gentiles, according to his promise, Acts 26:17 and particularly from the Asiatic Jews, when they were about to kill him, by the means of Lysias the chief captain, who rescued him out of their hands; and also from the lying in wait of the Jews to take away his life, and the various methods they used both with Felix and Festus to get him into their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 26:23

That Christ should suffer ,.... Great afflictions in soul and body, and death itself; this is recorded by Moses, Genesis 3:15 and is the sense of many of the types, as of the passover, brazen serpent, &c.; and of all the sacrifices which from God were appointed by him, and is the constant account of all the prophets from the beginning to the end; see Psalm 22:1 Daniel 9:26 . The sufferer is Christ, or the Messiah, not the Father, nor the Spirit, but the Word, or Son of God, and not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 26:22

Having - obtained help of God - According to the gracious promise made to him: see Acts 26:17 . Witnessing both to small and great - Preaching before kings, rulers, priests, and peasants; fearing no evil, though ever surrounded with evils; nor slackening in my duty, notwithstanding the opposition I have met with both from Jews and Gentiles. And these continual interpositions of God show me that I have not mistaken my call, and encourage me to go forward in my work. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 26:23

That Christ should suffer - That the Christ, or Messiah, should suffer. This, though fully revealed in the prophets, the prejudices of the Jews would not permit them to receive: they expected their Messiah to be a glorious secular prince; and, to reconcile the fifty-third of Isaiah with their system, they formed the childish notion of two Messiahs - Messiah ben David, who should reign, conquer, and triumph; and Messiah ben Ephraim, who should suffer and be put to death. A distinction which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:1-26

The apology. We are struck with a contrast between the conduct of our Lord when he stood before the bar of Caiaphas and of Pontius Pilate, and that of St. Paul when he was brought before Festus and Agrippa. It is written of Jesus, when the Jews accused him before Caiaphas, that "he held his peace." And again, as he stood before Pontius Pilate the governor, when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, that he answered nothing. And even when Pilate himself appealed to him, he gave... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:1-32

Paul before Festus and Agrippa. His address may be divided as follows:— I. THE REMARKABLE STORY OF HIS LIFE . ( Acts 26:1-18 .) 1. His life in Judaism. He had been brought up, as all knew, in the strictest sect of his religion, a Pharisee. Paul's example, it has been remarked, lends no countenance to the fallacy that dissolute students make the best preachers. He had been conscientious from the first, a friend of virtue, and a servant of the Law. He had not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:1-32

The apostolic defense in the presence of Festus and Agrippa. I. THE BEARING OF THE MAN . Dignity, gentleness, courtesy—a true Christian gentleman. II. THE APPEAL TO FACTS . The incontrovertible evidence. "Once I was a persecutor; now I am a disciple." III. THE PROCLAMATION OF A DIVINE MISSION . Showing that there was reason in his firmness and confidence; he was divinely sent and would be divinely cared for. IV. THE CHALLENGE TO TRY ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:20-23

The penalty and the resources of a devoted life. There is no trace of egotism, in the offensive sense of the word, in this simple sketch of the apostle's course. He is simply telling the truth concerning himself out of a pure heart. But in so doing he gives us the picture of— I. A DEVOTED LIFE . 1. He began at the earliest possible time to carry out the Master's will—"showed first unto them of Damascus" ( Acts 26:20 ). 2. He labored in the most difficult and dangerous... read more

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