Acts 26 16

Acts 26:16 kjv

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;

Acts 26:16 nkjv

But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.

Acts 26:16 niv

'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.

Acts 26:16 esv

But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,

Acts 26:16 nlt

Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future.

Acts 26 verses

Acts 26 16 Meaning

This verse encapsulates the divine commissioning of Saul, who would become the Apostle Paul. It is Jesus Christ, appearing to him on the road to Damascus, who commands him to rise and assume a divinely appointed role. This role involves serving as a minister and a witness. His testimony is to encompass both the profound things he has already seen—the direct revelation of the risen Christ and the accompanying vision—and the further truths and experiences that Christ will reveal to him in the future. This marks a pivotal turning point, establishing Paul's apostolic authority directly from Christ, not from human institution.

Acts 26 16 Context

Acts chapter 26 is Paul's defense before King Agrippa II, his sister Bernice, and Governor Festus. This is the third account of Paul's conversion and call in the book of Acts, following chapters 9 and 22. Paul, unjustly imprisoned, leverages this high-profile setting to declare the gospel and his divine commission. He systematically recounts his former zeal as a persecutor of Christians, leading directly to his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus Road. Verse 16 specifically articulates Christ's direct command and assignment to Paul, which provides the foundation and authority for his entire apostolic ministry, explaining his radical transformation and his unwavering dedication to proclaiming the resurrection of Christ. It demonstrates that his ministry was not a human choice but a divine mandate.

Acts 26 16 Word analysis

• But (ἀλλὰ - alla): Introduces a sharp contrast. Previously, Paul was prostrate and trembling in fear after the blinding vision and voice. Now, Christ commands a change in posture, symbolizing a complete reorientation of his life and purpose.
• rise (ἀνάστηθι - anastēthi): A command to stand up from a prostrate position. It signifies an awakening or revival, pointing to a new life and new identity for Paul. It can also imply a readiness for action and obedience to divine will.
• and stand upon your feet (στῆθι ἐπὶ τοὺς πόδας σου - stēthi epi tous podas sou): Reinforces the command to rise. This posture signifies preparedness, authority, and confidence. It symbolizes moving from a state of terror and submission to a stance of strength and readiness for the tasks ahead. In biblical idiom, "standing on one's feet" often means taking an active, accountable role.
• for I have appeared (ὤφθην - ōphthēn): Literally "I was seen" or "I manifested Myself." This is the passive voice of horaō, emphasizing that the appearance was Christ's initiative and revelation. It denotes a genuine, verifiable vision of the risen Christ, essential for Paul's claim to apostleship (1 Cor 9:1, 1 Cor 15:8).
• to you (σοι - soi): Highlights the personal and direct nature of the encounter. This was a private, specific commissioning by Christ Himself, foundational for Paul's unique role.
• for this purpose (εἰς τοῦτο - eis touto): Indicates the precise, specific intent behind Christ's appearance. It underlines God's intentional design and pre-ordained plan for Paul's life and ministry, giving divine direction.
• to appoint (προχειρίσασθαί - procheirisasthai): Means "to choose before hand," "to select," or "to designate." This emphasizes divine selection and preparation, indicating a formal appointment. It implies God's deliberate hand in setting Paul apart for a particular office.
• you as a minister (σε ὑπηρέτην - se hypēretēn): Hypēretēn means an "under-rower," a "subordinate officer," or "attendant." It suggests one who serves diligently under authority. Paul's role is not one of independent authority but of faithful service and execution of Christ's will, always in submission to Him.
• and a witness (καὶ μάρτυρα - kai martyra): From which the word "martyr" derives. A witness is one who testifies to what they have seen and heard. For Paul, this specifically includes bearing witness to the resurrection of Christ and His transformative power. His entire life would be a testimony to this truth, often enduring suffering (martyrdom) as a consequence.
• not only of the things which you have seen (ὧν τε εἶδές - hōn te eides): Refers primarily to the profound Damascus Road experience – the light, the voice of Jesus, and the direct revelation of His identity and purpose. This is the initial, tangible basis for Paul's eyewitness testimony.
• but also of the things in which I will appear to you (ὧν ὀφθήσομαί σοι - hōn opthēsomai soi): Points to future, progressive revelations and encounters with Christ. This indicates that Paul's understanding and message would deepen and expand through ongoing divine disclosures (e.g., visions and revelations mentioned in 2 Cor 12:1-4; Gal 1:12). This was crucial for him to receive and transmit unique apostolic truths.

Acts 26 16 Bonus section

Paul's commissioning in Acts 26:16 sets him apart from the Twelve, who had known Jesus during His earthly ministry. Christ's personal appearance to Paul as the resurrected Lord demonstrates the post-ascension continuation of His active role in the Church. The phrase "things in which I will appear to you" highlights the progressive nature of divine revelation even for apostles; their knowledge and ministry were continually informed by direct engagement with Christ, beyond a single encounter. This verse also illustrates the often disruptive and unexpected nature of God's call, taking someone intensely committed to one path (persecuting Christians) and redirecting them completely to serve the very people they sought to destroy.

Acts 26 16 Commentary

Acts 26:16 serves as the divine validation and bedrock of Paul's apostleship. It powerfully refutes any claims that his ministry was self-appointed or human-derived, establishing its direct Christological origin. Christ's command to "rise and stand upon your feet" is more than a physical directive; it is a profound call to move from spiritual blindness and physical prostration into a position of authority and purpose in God's service. Paul is chosen and appointed to a dual role: minister (a servant who executes a superior's command) and witness (one who testifies to experienced truth). The two aspects of his testimony – what he has seen (the conversion event itself) and what Christ will yet appear to him about – highlight both the foundational revelation of Christ's identity and resurrection, and the subsequent ongoing revelations that shaped his distinctive theology (e.g., the mystery of the inclusion of Gentiles). This verse underscores that Paul's gospel was not learned from others, but received directly from the glorified Lord, validating his message and mission as truly divine. For Paul, his very existence after the Damascus road was defined by this sovereign commissioning.