Paul's Testimony Before King Agrippa
Introduction: This chapter has a record of Paul's testimony, and almost autobiography, when he was brought before King Agrippa in Caesarea. Compare this speech or testimony with what Paul had said in Acts 9 and 22.
Luke recorded in the last few verses of chapter 25 that a number of high-ranking dignitaries were there as well. Festus, the Roman governor, had given a private talk with Agrippa, then made a public opening statement before Paul even said a word. The chapter closes with some very sad words, and some ironic words.
1 Paul's deeds before he met the Lord
Text, Acts 26:1-11, KJV: 1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
--Paul started his defense with a rather direct statement, that Agrippa had been an expert in the customs and questions among the Jews. Festus, clearly, did not, as he had only been there a relatively short time.
--Then Paul started with his known and familiar story, how that he grew up in Jerusalem. He went on to say he was a Pharisee, and that was well known to the Sanhedrin (Acts 23).
--The word translated "you" in verse 8, where Paul mentions God raising the dead, is plural per (https://biblehub.com/text/acts/26-8.htm). Festus had no clue about resurrection (25:18-19); Agrippa's own faith or lack of same is not known; but the Jews (if any were there) would have had at least a working knowledge.
--Beginning in verse 9, Paul lists some of the things he did to the followers of Jesus. He not only did this in Jerusalem (see Acts 9:1-2) but also in other or "strange (i.e., foreign, https://biblehub.com/greek/1854.htm )" cities.
--One of these "strange cities" was Damascus, as we'll see in the next several verses. But something was about to happen while Paul was on the journey there.
2 Paul's commission from Jesus once he met the Lord
Text, Acts 26:12-18, KJV: 12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
--Paul was still known as Saul of Tarsus during this time. He and some others were heading to Damascus to arrest any and all believers in Jesus (paraphrased from Acts 9:2) and take them back to Jerusalem. The chief priests were all in on this mission.
--Paul (then, Saul) and the others saw a light brighter than the noonday sun. The whole team then fell to the ground once they saw this. Apparently none of them had heard anything at this point.
--Now Paul (then, Saul) heard a voice in Hebrew, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Here, Paul adds to his testimony what Luke had recorded in chapter 9 and what Paul had spoken to the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 22).
--Some think these three accounts or versions are contradictory. That's not necessarily true, as in chapter 9 Luke only records a summary--remember, Luke had not yet met Saul/Paul until several chapters and/or years later. Chapter 22 features a little more of Paul's testimony, and has more of what Ananias had said to Saul in Damascus. Here Paul was speaking as a Jew to the Jews. Now before Agrippa and others, whose knowledge of Jewish theology may be limited, Paul adds more of the words of Jesus Himself. Different audiences require different approaches, but the Gospel remains the same.
--"Pricks" were ox-goads or things with sharp points (https://biblehub.com/greek/2759.htm).
--These words of Jesus show Paul's future commission and what he would do for the Lord. Most of Acts following chapter 12 has a detailed record of what he did and where.
--The section above concludes with the last words of Jesus to Saul at that time. Now Paul moves from what he heard to what he did in the next several verses.
3 Paul's testimony (summarized): what he did after he had seen the Lord
Text, Acts 26:19-23, KJV: 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
--Paul, then Saul, did one of the bravest things any new believer could do: in Damascus, he preached that Jesus was (and is) the Son of God (Acts 9:20)! This--in the synagogues, and probably before some of those who had expected him to take believers away, not worship with them!
--Paul also mentions his travels, from Damascus to Jerusalem and on to the Gentiles. Everywhere he went he preached repentance, first, and then "do works 'meet (also translated worthy, per https://biblehub.com/greek/514.htm) ' for repentance."
--Finally Paul closes his address by saying he witnessed to "small and great", which is true; he had shared the Good News about Jesus among people in the marketplace in Athens, and also among the most educated people at the Areopagus (Acts 17); plus Felix, Festus, and now Agrippa himself.
--The last words are a summary of Paul's ministry in a sentence. Even though delivered in a sober, reasoned manner (perhaps like Stephen before the Sanhedrin, Acts 7?), there were some who made a verbal outburst at these words!
Conclusion:
1 The Words of Festus to Paul
Text, Acts 26:24, KJV: 24And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
--Paul had already asked the question, "why should you think it's incredible that God should raise the dead?" in verse 8. Now that he repeats that thought, and Festus makes an outburst that could be paraphrased as "Paul. you've gone nuts!"
--The term "much learning" could refer to Paul's ability to speak two or maybe three languages (Hebrew or Aramaic, and Greek; possibly Latin; after all, he had been in Caesarea as a "guest" of Rome for over two years!). Others think this refers to his study of various writings, perhaps the Old Testament.
--It's impossible to tell from this cold print or narrative just how Paul gave his message. He could have been scholarly, like his address to the Athenians at the Areopagus, measured and deliberate; or, he could have become more excited as he reached the point where Festus interrupted him. One thing for sure, however he spoke, he kept at least one or two people interested.
--But now that he was interrupted, how would Paul reply?
2 The Reply of Paul to Festus and Agrippa
Text, Acts 26:25-29, KJV: 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
--Note the simple, courteous reply to Festus, "I'm not mad, most noble Festus!" Then he seemed to turn to Agrippa ("the king knoweth of these things") for approval.
--The phrase "this thing was not cone in a corner" is only used here in the Bible and simply means it was not done secretly, but rather in the open (according to commentaries on this verse. such as Barnes' notes, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/acts/26.htm; Bengel's commentary or "Gnomon", https://biblehub.com/commentaries/bengel/acts/26.htm; and Matthew Poole's commentary on the verse at https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/acts/26.htm), to name three.
--Paul then appealed directly to Agrippa, in so many words, "You do believe the prophets, don't you?" Agrippa seemed to understand Paul's message much better than Festus, as there is no record Agrippa said anything up to this point.
--Yet Agrippa replied with some incredibly sad words, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian". There are various interpretations of what Agrippa meant but one thing is certain, he didn't become a Christian at that point, if at all. P.P. Bliss used these words for his hymn, "Almost Persuaded".
--And Paul, sensing this reluctance (why?), said, "I wish everyone who hears me would be a Christian, too, except for these bonds I'm wearing (paraphrased)". Oh how we need to want people to believe the Gospel, and be saved, born again!
--Once Paul finished his message, it seems there was a pause. Something did happen, as Luke records in the last verses of this chapter.
Conclusion: The last conversation here, between Festus and Agrippa
Text, Acts 26:30-32, KJV: 30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: 31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
--It was true in many occasions, when the "boss" rose or stood up, the meeting's over. Once Agrippa stood up, Festus and Bernice followed him, as well as "they that sat with them".
--They "(went) aside", and had a conversation among themselves. The general agreement was that Paul had done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.
--Agrippa closed the meeting, perhaps, by saying what they already knew: "Paul might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar". Did Agrippa know about the plot to kill Paul? Festus, maybe prudently, said nothing about this.
--Appeals to Caesar were taken very seriously. Only Roman citizens had this right. Commentators like Ellicott, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/acts/25.htm; Barnes' Notes on this verse, at https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/acts/25.htm; and The Pulpit Commentary notes have additional information (https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/acts/25.htm).
--The chapter closes here with Festus still the governor; Agrippa, the king; Paul, the prisoner; but things were about to change. The last few chapters of Paul's earthly life are about to be written.
Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV)
