Acts 26:28 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:28

The great decision. "Then Agrippa said unto Paul," etc. Times when the attitude and bearing of one person wonderfully set forth the majesty of truth. Jesus before Pontius Pilate. Luther at Worms. Paul at Caesarea. Agrippa face to face with the sincerity he despised; Festus with a religion altogether different from that of Rome. The assembly of courtiers and soldiers and abandoned people in the presence of spiritual reality. The reversal of the appearances Paul really trying the offenders... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:28-29

A mournful "almost," on a light lip. If these words of Agrippa were spoken satirically, as some think, or were intended to express even the essence of satire, yet after all, this would make very little difference to the standpoint from which we consider them. It would make a great difference indeed to Agrippa himself, but would scarcely diminish aught from the many lessons we may gather from them. Agrippa, too, like Festus, it would appear, felt compelled to make some pronouncement from... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 26:28

Then Agrippa said unto Paul - He could not deny that he believed the prophecies in the Old Testament. He could not deny that the argument was a strong one that they had been fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth. He could not deny that the evidence of the miraculous interposition of God in the conversion of Paul was overwhelming; and instead, therefore, of charging him, as Festus had done, with derangement, he candidly and honestly avows the impression which the proof had made on his mind.Almost -... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 26:25-29

Acts 26:25-29. But he said Calmly, and with a perfect command of himself, not in the least provoked by such an invidious imputation; I am not mad, most noble Festus A title properly belonging to a Roman propretor. How inexpressibly beautiful is this reply! How strong! yet, how decent and respectful! Madmen seldom call men by their names and titles of honour. Thus, also, Paul refutes the charge. But utter the words of truth Confirmed in the next verse; and soberness The very reverse of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Acts 26:28

Almost . Greek. En oligo. In a little, i.e., briefly, or in short. Compare Ephesians 3:3 . Paul, carried away by his subject, ceases to be the advocate for the prisoner and has become the advocate for God. Agrippa perceives it, and intervenes with "To put it briefly, thou art persuading me to become a Christian. "There is no ground for supposing that Agrippa was "almost persuaded". Christian . See Acts 11:26 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Acts 26:28

And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.The KJV is a far better rendition than this, the word "fain" being nowhere in the Greek. All the scholars admit that the text is difficult to translate; and the diverse renditions prove conclusively that they simply do not know how to translate it. Note the following examples:Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian (KJV). You are trying to make me play the Christian (Bruce). In brief, you are... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Acts 26:28

Acts 26:28. Almost thou persuadest me, &c.— There can be no doubt that these words were delivered in the most serious manner by Agrippa. It plainly appears by St. Paul's answer, and from the sense in which he there uses εν ολιγω, almost, in opposition to εν πολλω, altogether, that he understood him to mean seriously that he was almost persuaded, and consequently that he did indeed mean so. To explain the words as if he had meant, thou persuadest me to be almost a Christian, or to become an... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Acts 26:28

28. Almost—or, "in a little time." thou persuadest me to be a Christian—Most modern interpreters think the ordinary translation inadmissible, and take the meaning to be, "Thou thinkest to make me with little persuasion (or small trouble) a Christian"—but I am not to be so easily turned. But the apostle's reply can scarcely suit any but the sense given in our authorized version, which is that adopted by CHRYSOSTOM and some of the best scholars since. The objection on which so much stress is... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Acts 26:23-32

Paul’s defense before Agrippa 25:23-26:32This is the longest of Paul’s five defenses. It centers on the gospel with an evangelistic appeal rather than on the charges against Paul. This emphasis harmonizes with Luke’s evangelistic purpose in Luke and Acts and is a fitting climax to that purpose. It also documents God’s faithfulness in allowing Paul to witness before kings (cf. Acts 9:15)."Inherent in Luke’s account are at least three apologetic themes: (1) Paul’s relations with the Roman... read more