Acts 26 26

Acts 26:26 kjv

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.

Acts 26:26 nkjv

For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.

Acts 26:26 niv

The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

Acts 26:26 esv

For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.

Acts 26:26 nlt

And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner!

Acts 26 verses

Acts 26 26 Meaning

Paul the Apostle, standing before King Agrippa II and other dignitaries, declares that the prophecies concerning Christ were not hidden, implying they were openly available and should have been recognized. His proclamation of Jesus' suffering, resurrection, and role as a messenger of light and repentance to both Jews and Gentiles reveals the gospel's inclusive nature and the completeness of God's plan as foretold in the Old Testament.

Acts 26 26 Context

This verse is part of Paul's defense before King Agrippa II, Bernice, Festus, and other Roman officials. Paul recounts his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus and his subsequent ministry. He emphasizes that his message is not a novel invention but a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, specifically those concerning the Messiah's suffering, resurrection, and universal mission. His purpose is to persuade Agrippa and the assembly that his actions and message are entirely consistent with Jewish Scripture, which proclaimed these events and their implications. This setting highlights the crucial point of contention: whether Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the prophesied Messiah.

Acts 26 26 Word Analysis

• Nothing (ouden - οὐδὲν):
  • Literally "not even one thing," signifying "nothing."
  • Emphasizes the absolute conformity of Paul's message to the prophetic tradition. There is no new or extraneous doctrine introduced.
• but (ei mē - εἰ μή):
  • A restrictive conjunction, meaning "except" or "only."
  • This word connects the denial of speaking anything contrary to prophecy with the affirmation of speaking only what was foretold.
• what (hosa - ὅσα):
  • "all that" or "whatever."
  • Refers to the specific content and substance of the prophetic declarations.
• the prophets (hai prophēteiai - αἱ προφητεῖαι):
  • Literally "the prophecies."
  • Refers to the collected prophetic writings of the Old Testament, which foretold future events and divine will.
• and (kai - καὶ):
  • A coordinating conjunction, linking the "prophets" with "Moses."
• Moses (Mōysēs - Μωϋσῆς):
  • Refers to the first five books of the Old Testament (the Pentateuch or Torah).
  • Moses himself spoke prophetically and wrote under divine inspiration, so this inclusion covers a vast body of foundational scripture that pointed to Christ.
• should come to pass (ēmel'lon ginesthai - ἔμελλον γίνεσθαι):
  • "were about to happen," "were destined to occur."
  • Highlights the predictive nature of the scriptures, emphasizing that the events concerning Christ were not coincidental but part of a divine plan laid out in advance.

Group Analysis: "nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass"This phrase is a powerful summary of Paul's apologetic. It asserts that the entire New Testament message about Jesus – His suffering, death, resurrection, and universal outreach – was preordained and detailed in the foundational scriptures of Judaism. Paul claims his ministry is a direct continuation and fulfillment of God's established plan revealed through Moses and the Prophets. This directly challenged the Jewish leaders who did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, framing the controversy as a misunderstanding or rejection of their own sacred texts.

Acts 26 26 Bonus Section

The emphasis on "prophets and Moses" covers both the Law and the Prophets, the two primary divisions of the Old Testament acknowledged by Jewish tradition. This holistic approach aims to preempt any argument that Jesus' claims might be contrary to certain parts of scripture. Paul’s ability to connect the events of Christ's life, death, and resurrection to specific prophetic passages underscores the theological foundation of Christianity as deeply rooted in Israel’s history and divine promises. His presentation suggests that to reject Jesus is, in effect, to reject the entirety of God’s revealed word to Israel. The success of his ministry in bringing salvation to Gentiles is also framed as a prophetic promise, fulfilling passages that spoke of Israel’s blessing to the nations.

Acts 26 26 Commentary

Paul's bold statement to Agrippa is a masterstroke of argumentation. He frames his entire life's work, including his persecution of the church and his miraculous conversion, as a direct consequence of embracing the fulfillment of scripture in Jesus. By referencing both "the prophets" and "Moses," Paul appeals to the entire breadth of the Old Testament canon. He insists that his testimony about Jesus is not hearsay or a personal delusion, but an unfolding of divine revelation. This is key to his persuasive effort: demonstrating that believing in Jesus is not abandoning Judaism, but its ultimate, divinely appointed conclusion. His declaration is an invitation for Agrippa to examine the evidence within their shared scriptural heritage.