Paul’s Defense before Agrippa
1 Now Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." Then Paul extended his hand and proceeded to make his defense:
2 "Regarding all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today, 3 26:3 Or because you are especially expertespecially because you are an expert in all customs and 26:3 Or controversial issuesquestions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 "So then, all Jews know my way of life since my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem, 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. 6 And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. For this hope, O king, I am being accused by Jews. 8 Why is it considered incredible among you people if God raises the dead?
9 "So I thought to myself that I had to act in strong opposition to the name of Jesus 26:9 Or the Nazareneof Nazareth. 10 And this is 26:10 Lit alsojust what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the 26:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s peoplesaints in prisons, after receiving authority from the chief priests, but I also cast my vote against them when they were being put to death. 11 And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was extremely enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to 26:11 Or outlyingforeign cities.
12 "26:12 Lit In which thingsWhile so engaged, as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, 26:13 Lit above the brightness ofbrighter than the sun, shining around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the 26:14 I.e., Jewish AramaicHebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? 26:14 An idiom referring to an animal’s futile resistance to being prodded with a spiked stickIt is hard for you to kick against the goads.’15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.16 But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you as a servant and a witness not only to the things in which you have seen Me, but also to the things in which I will appear to you,17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the 26:18 Or dominionpower of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’
19 "For that reason, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but continually proclaimed to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and then all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they are to repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance. 21 For these reasons some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to murder me. 22 So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place, 23 as to whether the 26:23 I.e., MessiahChrist was 26:23 Lit subject to sufferingto suffer, and whether, as first from the resurrection of the dead, He would proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."
24 While 26:24 Lit hePaul was stating these things in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! 26:24 Lit The many letters; i.e., educationYour great learning is 26:24 Lit turning you to madnessdriving you insane." 25 But Paul *said, "I am not insane, most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with26:25 Lit words of truth and rationalitytruthful and rational words. 26 For the king 26:26 Or understandsknows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a 26:26 I.e., a hidden or secret placecorner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe." 28 Agrippa replied to Paul, "26:28 Or With a littleIn a short time you are going to persuade me to 26:28 Or act as a Christianmake a Christian of myself." 29 And Paul said, "I would 26:29 Or pray towish to God that even 26:29 Or with a little or with muchin a short or long time not only you, but also all who hear me this day would become such as I myself am, except for these chains."
30 The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone out, they began talking to one another, saying, "This man is not doing anything deserving death or 26:31 Lit bondsimprisonment." 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."