Acts 26:1 kjv
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
Acts 26:1 nkjv
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You are permitted to speak for yourself." So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:
Acts 26:1 niv
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:
Acts 26:1 esv
So Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
Acts 26:1 nlt
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You may speak in your defense." So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense:
Acts 26 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Right to Speak/Defense | ||
| Lk 21:14-15 | Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom... | Divine assurance for speech in trials. |
| Acts 4:8 | Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel..." | Empowered speech before authorities. |
| Acts 21:39-40 | "I am a Jew, from Tarsus... I beg you, permit me to speak to the people." And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps... | Paul given permission to address a crowd. |
| 1 Pet 3:15 | But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you... | Christian duty to give a defense (apologia). |
| Paul's Appearances Before Authorities | ||
| Acts 9:15 | But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel." | Prophecy of Paul ministering to kings. |
| Acts 23:11 | But on the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly testified to My cause in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome." | Divine encouragement for future testimony. |
| Acts 24:10 | And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul proceeded to answer, "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense..." | Paul's prior defense before Felix. |
| Acts 25:6 | After he had spent not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea... the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. | Paul's prior appearance before Festus. |
| Acts 25:23 | So on the next day Agrippa came, and Bernice, with great pomp, and entered the audience chamber with the commanders and the prominent men of the city... | Setting the scene for Paul's defense before Agrippa. |
| God's Providence/Plan | ||
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. | God orchestrates events for His purposes. |
| Phil 1:12-14 | Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known... | Paul's imprisonment advances the Gospel. |
| Is 49:6 | "He says, 'It is too small a thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob... I will also make you a light of the nations, so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'" | Gospel reaching Gentiles through instruments. |
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. | God's sovereignty over rulers' decisions. |
| Audience of Kings/Gentiles | ||
| Matt 10:18 | and you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. | Jesus prophesies believers before kings. |
| Acts 13:46-47 | Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles." | Transition of the Gospel to the Gentiles. |
| Acts 28:28 | Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen. | Gospel’s full reception by Gentiles. |
| Paul's Courage/Faith | ||
| 2 Cor 11:23 | Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, in beatings never too severe, often in danger of death. | Paul's endurance despite suffering. |
| Phil 1:20 | according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. | Paul's desire for Christ to be glorified. |
| Heb 11:33 | who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions... | Example of faith-filled action against odds. |
| Ps 119:46 | I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and will not be ashamed. | Witnessing boldly before rulers. |
Acts 26 verses
Acts 26 1 Meaning
Acts 26:1 marks the commencement of Paul’s defense before King Agrippa II, Bernice, and Governor Festus in Caesarea. Agrippa formally grants Paul permission to present his case, signifying a critical moment where Paul, a prisoner, is given a platform to articulate his faith and the truth of the Gospel before powerful Roman and Jewish authorities. This verse sets the stage for one of the most compelling apologetic speeches recorded in the New Testament.
Acts 26 1 Context
Acts chapter 26 begins Paul's powerful and highly personal defense before King Agrippa II, Bernice, and the Roman governor Festus. This specific setting is a culmination of events detailed in the preceding chapters, particularly Acts 25. Paul, having been falsely accused by the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 21), was arrested and had already appeared before Governor Felix (Acts 24) and now Festus. He appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11-12) to escape further Jewish plots and potentially unjust Roman judgment. However, Festus, new to his post and unclear on the precise nature of the Jewish charges, seized the opportunity of King Agrippa II's visit to Caesarea. Agrippa, being a Herod King with deep knowledge of Jewish customs, laws, and controversies, was deemed by Festus as an ideal person to help clarify the situation and frame a proper report for Caesar (Acts 25:25-27). This public hearing, staged with "great pomp" (Acts 25:23), provides Paul an unexpected and strategically important platform to testify about Christ not just to Jewish leaders, but also to prominent Roman and client-king authorities, fulfilling Christ's prophecy that His disciples would bear His name before kings (Acts 9:15, Matt 10:18). Acts 26:1 is the immediate gateway to this momentous occasion, signaling Agrippa's official sanction for Paul to commence his testimony.
Acts 26 1 Word analysis
- Then (Greek: τότε, tote): A temporal adverb indicating immediate succession or a point in time. It connects the action directly to the previous events of Festus bringing Paul before Agrippa, signaling the formal commencement of the hearing. It emphasizes the direct response and order.
- Agrippa (Greek: Ἀγρίππας, Agrippas): Refers to Herod Agrippa II, the last of the Herodian client kings, ruling over territories northeast of Galilee. He was highly knowledgeable of Jewish customs, sects, and the law, which is acknowledged by Paul later (Acts 26:2-3). His presence validates the Jewish dimension of Paul's case in Roman eyes, making his permission weighty.
- said (Greek: φημί, phēmi): A straightforward verb meaning "to say," "to declare." It implies a clear, authoritative utterance, characteristic of a ruling official.
- to Paul (Greek: τῷ Παύλῳ, tō Paulō): Direct address to the Apostle Paul, who stands before the court as a prisoner but also as a chosen vessel for God. His identity is central to the narrative, as the entire defense revolves around his past actions, conversion, and mission.
- You (Greek: σοί, soi): The dative singular form, explicitly addressing Paul. It underlines the direct and personal nature of the permission granted to him alone.
- are permitted (Greek: ἐπιτρέπω, epitrepō): This verb means "to allow," "to permit," "to entrust." It is in the passive voice, indicating that permission is given to Paul by an authority. Agrippa, by uttering this, formally grants the floor to Paul, exercising his judicial prerogative. This act is crucial for Paul to deliver his "apologia" – a formal legal defense.
- to speak (Greek: ἀπολογέομαι, apologeomai): More than just "to speak," this verb specifically means "to make a defense," "to present an argument in one's own behalf." It refers to a formal, structured self-vindication against accusations. Paul's speech is therefore not casual, but a carefully reasoned legal and theological defense. This word implies an active rebuttal of charges.
- for yourself (Greek: περὶ σεαυτοῦ, peri seautou): This prepositional phrase means "concerning yourself," "about yourself." It clarifies the scope of Paul's speech: it must be a personal defense addressing the specific accusations laid against him and explaining his own actions and beliefs, rather than a general discourse. It frames the immediate objective of his testimony.
Words-group analysis:
- "Then Agrippa said to Paul": This phrase establishes the authority granting the permission and the recipient. It sets the formal, judicial tone of the event, emphasizing Agrippa's pivotal role in giving Paul the platform.
- "You are permitted to speak for yourself": This complete statement is the core of the verse. It defines the nature of the ensuing discourse: it is a right granted by the ruling authority (permitted) for a personal defense (to speak for yourself) within a formal, legal setting. This is not an interrogation but an opportunity for Paul to present his case without immediate interruption. It underscores the divine orchestration where Roman legal procedure, overseen by a king familiar with Jewish matters, serves to advance the Gospel by providing Paul an open forum.
Acts 26 1 Bonus section
This verse implicitly highlights the meticulous nature of Luke's narrative in Acts, showcasing his awareness of Roman legal processes and the hierarchical structure of authority. The permission granted by Agrippa isn't merely a formality; it underlines the importance of Paul's subsequent speech. It also demonstrates Luke's recurring theme of God's sovereign hand at work, using the circumstances of Paul's imprisonment to provide unparalleled opportunities for Gospel witness at the highest levels of government. Paul's appearance before Agrippa, following his appeals, becomes a key fulfillment of Christ's prophetic words in Matthew 10:18 and Acts 9:15, where Paul was specifically called to bear Christ's name before "Gentiles and kings." The seemingly constrained environment of a prisoner's defense transforms into a potent pulpit for truth.
Acts 26 1 Commentary
Acts 26:1, while brief, is highly significant. It initiates Paul's ultimate public defense within the Book of Acts, granting him a formal platform to articulate his Christian faith before high-ranking political and Jewish leaders. King Agrippa II's permission, "You are permitted to speak for yourself," (ἐπιτρέπω ... ἀπολογέομαι περὶ σεαυτοῦ) signifies not just a casual conversation, but a recognized right for Paul to present his apologia – a structured, logical defense against the specific charges. This right, fundamental to Roman law, aligns with divine providence, as Jesus foretold His followers would testify before kings. The very setting, orchestrated by Governor Festus to clarify vague accusations for a report to Caesar, unwittingly provided Paul with the optimal stage to preach the Gospel not only to Agrippa but to Bernice, Festus, and a diverse assembly, laying out the heart of the Christian message through his personal testimony and conversion. It exemplifies how believers, even in dire circumstances, can leverage official proceedings for evangelistic purposes.