Acts 26:1-3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 26:1-11

Agrippa was the most honourable person in the assembly, having the title of king bestowed upon him, though otherwise having only the power of other governors under the emperor, and, though not here superior, yet senior, to Festus; and therefore, Festus having opened the cause, Agrippa, as the mouth of the court, intimates to Paul a licence given him to speak for himself, Acts 26:1. Paul was silent till he had this liberty allowed him; for those are not the most forward to speak that are best... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 26:1-11

26:1-11 Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak on your own behalf." Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defence. "With regard to the charges made against me by the Jews, King Agrippa, I count myself fortunate to be about to state my defence before you, especially because you are an expert in all Jewish customs and questions. Therefore I ask you to give me a patient hearing. All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which from the beginning I lived amongst my... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 26:1

Then Agrippa said unto Paul ,.... After Festus had made the above speech to him, and to all present, and had introduced the affair of Paul, who now stood before them: thou art permitted to speak for thyself ; which a prisoner might not do, until he had leave; and this leave was granted by Festus the Roman governor, who was properly the judge, and not Agrippa, though the permission might be by both; and so the Arabic and Ethiopic versions read, "we have ordered", or "permitted thee",... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 26:2

I think myself happy, King Agrippa ,.... This was an handsome and artificial way of introducing his defense, and of gaining the affection and attention of the king, and yet was not a mere compliment; for it had been his unhappiness hitherto, that his case was not understood; neither Lysias the chief captain, nor the governors Felix and Festus, knew anything of the rites and customs of the Jews, and could not tell what to make of the questions of their law, of which Paul was accused: but it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 26:3

Especially, because I know thee to be expert in all customs ,.... Rites and ceremonies of the Jews, whether enjoined by the law of Moses, or by the elders, fathers, and wise men: and questions which are among the Jews ; concerning angels, spirits, and the resurrection of the dead; which were moved and agitated between the Sadducees and Pharisees; and a multitude of others, which were disputed between the schools of Hillell and Shammai, of which their Misna and Talmud are full, and with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 26:1

Then Paul stretched forth the hand - This act, as we have already seen on Acts 21:40 , was merely to gain attention; it was no rhetorical flourish, nor designed for one. From knowing, partly by descriptions, and partly by ancient statues, how orators and others who address a concourse of people stood, we can easily conceive the attitude of St. Paul. When the right hand was stretched out, the left remained under the cloak, which being thrown off the right shoulder, to give the arm the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 26:2

I think myself happy - As if he had said, This is a peculiarly fortunate circumstance in my favor, that I am called to make my defense before a judge so intelligent, and so well acquainted with the laws and customs of our country. It may be necessary just to observe that this Agrippa was king of Trachonitis, a region which lay on the north of Palestine, on the east side of Jordan, and south of Damascus. For his possessions, see on Acts 25:13 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 26:2

Verse 2− 2.We have declared to what end Paul was brought before that assembly, to wit, that Festus might write unto Caesar as he should be counseled by Agrippa and the rest. Therefore, he doth not use any plain or usual form of defense, but doth rather apply his speech unto doctrine. Luke useth indeed a word of excusing; yet such a one as is nothing inconvenient whensoever there is any account given of doctrine. Furthermore, because Paul knew well that Festus did set light by all that which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:1

And for then, A.V.; his for the, A.V.; made his defense for answered for himself, A.V. Agrippa said . It was by the courtesy of Festus that Agrippa thus took the chief place. It was, perhaps, with the like courtesy that Agrippa said, impersonally, Thou art permitted , without specifying whether by himself or by Festus. Stretched forth his hand . The action of an orator, rendered in this case still more impressive by the chains which hung upon his arms. Luke here relates... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 26:1-11

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 26:1-11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 26:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 26:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 26:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 26:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 26:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 26:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 26:1-26

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