Acts 26 23

Acts 26:23 kjv

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.

Acts 26:23 nkjv

that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."

Acts 26:23 niv

that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles."

Acts 26:23 esv

that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."

Acts 26:23 nlt

that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God's light to Jews and Gentiles alike."

Acts 26 verses

Acts 26 23 Meaning

This verse declares the central tenet of Christian faith: that Christ suffered, rose from the dead, and proclaimed light to both the Jewish people and the Gentiles. Paul's message is fundamentally about the resurrection of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the universal salvation offered through Him.

Acts 26 23 Context

This verse is part of Paul's defense before King Agrippa. He is recounting his conversion experience and his ongoing ministry. Agrippa is familiar with Jewish customs and beliefs, making Paul's explanation of Jesus' messianic role particularly relevant to him. The historical context is the Roman province of Judea, with the backdrop of Roman rule and Jewish expectations of a Messiah. Paul is systematically presenting the gospel, emphasizing its roots in Jewish scripture and its universal application.

Acts 26 23 Word Analysis

• ὅτι (hoti): "that". Introduces the content of what was proclaimed by the prophets.
• Χριστὸς (Christos): "Christ". The Anointed One, the Messiah.
• ἔπαθεν (epathen): "suffered". Aorist tense, indicating a completed action of suffering.
• πρῶτον (proton): "first". Denotes the initial aspect of the proclamation.
• εἶτα (eita): "then". Indicates the subsequent aspect.
• τῆς ἀναστάσεως (tes anastaseōs): "the resurrection". Genitive case, object of "by".
• τῶν νεκρῶν (tōn nekrōn): "of the dead". Genitive plural, specifying what the resurrection was from.
• ἀναγγελεῖν (anaggellein): "to proclaim", "to announce". Present active infinitive, indicating continuous action or purpose.
• φῶς (phōs): "light". Accusative case, direct object of "to proclaim".
• τῷ λαῷ (tō laō): "to the people" (Israel). Dative case.
• καὶ (kai): "and". Conjunction.
• τὸ (to): "the". Article.
• ἔθνεσιν (ethnesin): "Gentiles", "nations". Dative plural.

Words-Group Analysis

• "that Christ should suffer, and that he, by the resurrection of the dead, should shew light": This is the core message Paul was commissioned to deliver. It connects the suffering of Christ, foretold in the Old Testament, with His resurrection, which validated His identity and ministry. The resurrection is the pivot point that makes the light of salvation available.
• "unto the people, and to the Gentiles": This phrase highlights the universal scope of the gospel. Initially, the proclamation was to the Jewish people ("the people"), but it was also clearly intended for the Gentiles, expanding God's offer of salvation to all humanity.

Acts 26 23 Bonus Section

The structure "first... then..." (πρῶτον... εἶτα...) is significant, implying a logical and chronological progression in God's redemptive plan as revealed through Christ. The suffering was the necessary prelude to the victory of the resurrection, which in turn empowers the spreading of God's light. Paul’s emphasis here is on fulfilling prophecy, showing that his message is not novel but the culmination of God's historical dealings with humanity. The proclamation of light signifies dispelling spiritual darkness, ignorance, and the power of sin.

Acts 26 23 Commentary

Paul articulates the essential elements of the Christian message, emphasizing that Christ's suffering and resurrection were not unexpected events but were foretold in Scripture. This suffering was vicarious, an atonement for sin, and the resurrection demonstrates God's power and the validation of Jesus as the Messiah. The proclamation of this truth is to bring spiritual enlightenment, first to the Jewish people and then to all the nations, offering salvation and reconciliation with God to everyone who believes. This message aligns perfectly with Jesus' own commission and the ongoing mission of the apostles.