Acts 26:28 kjv
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Acts 26:28 nkjv
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."
Acts 26:28 niv
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"
Acts 26:28 esv
And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"
Acts 26:28 nlt
Agrippa interrupted him. "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?"
Acts 26 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 26:29 | And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am except for these chains." | Paul's desire for universal salvation |
| John 3:7 | "Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’" | Necessity of spiritual rebirth |
| Matt 13:22 | "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away." | superficial acceptance |
| Rom 1:16 | "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." | Gospel's power and reach |
| Gal 1:10 | "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." | Motives for belief |
| Phil 1:29 | "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him, but also suffer for His sake," | Belief and suffering |
| Heb 10:26-27 | "For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries." | Danger of rejecting truth |
| Rev 3:15-16 | "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." | Lukewarm faith |
| 2 Sam 20:11 | "And Amasa took it, and put it into his mouth, and swallowed it. And the blood did not run off, as was the case with the blood of David the king." | A parallel expression of immediacy |
| John 15:19 | "If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." | Separation from the world |
| 1 Cor 15:10 | "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not, but the grace of God with me." | Grace and labor in faith |
| Rom 8:18 | "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." | Suffering for future glory |
| Col 1:27 | "to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." | Christ in the believer |
| Eph 4:24 | "and put on the new self, created according to God in true righteousness and holiness." | Putting on the new self |
| Acts 2:37 | Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" | conviction leading to action |
| Acts 19:18 | "And many who had believed now came and confessed and disclosed their practices." | confession of past deeds |
| 2 Cor 5:17 | "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." | New creation in Christ |
| 1 Tim 6:12 | "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." | Confession of faith |
| John 10:26-27 | "but you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;" | Hearing and following Christ |
| Phil 3:7-9 | "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I counted loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish so that I may gain Christ," | Esteeming Christ above all |
Acts 26 verses
Acts 26 28 Meaning
This verse powerfully encapsulates King Agrippa's near conversion to Christianity. The Apostle Paul, in his defense, has eloquently presented his own conversion and mission. Agrippa, deeply moved by Paul's testimony, acknowledges its compelling nature. However, the verse highlights his crucial reservation: "You persuade me to become a Christian." Agrippa recognizes the profound implications of this decision, perhaps fearing the social, political, or religious ramifications. The sentiment suggests an intellectual assent to the truth of Paul's message but a hesitation for full commitment, an incomplete surrender. It's a pivotal moment where conviction meets the inertia of familiar life.
Acts 26 28 Context
This verse is spoken by King Agrippa II during the Apostle Paul's defense before him, Felix, and Bernice. Paul has been imprisoned for some time and is seizing the opportunity to share his testimony and the Gospel message. He recounts his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus and the divine commission he received. Paul’s speech is particularly tailored to Agrippa, a Jew who is well-versed in Jewish customs and beliefs. He emphasizes that his message is consistent with the Jewish prophets and the hope of Israel. Agrippa has heard Paul speak previously, and in this moment, he is profoundly impacted, stating Paul has almost persuaded him. This chapter occurs late in the Book of Acts, detailing the final stages of Paul's journey to Rome and his various trials. The immediate context is Paul's legal defense against accusations leveled against him by Jewish leaders, a defense that escalates into a powerful evangelistic appeal.
Acts 26 28 Word Analysis
Agrippa : The king, a member of the Herodian dynasty, knowledgeable in Jewish affairs.
You : Refers to Paul, directly addressing his persuasive words.
almost : (Greek: schēdon - approximately, nearly, very close to). Indicates Agrippa was significantly affected but not fully committed. It implies proximity to belief, a significant impression made.
persuade : (Greek: peitheis - to convince, to win over, to influence). Agrippa acknowledges the force of Paul's arguments.
Christian : (Greek: Christianos - a follower of Christ). The term signifies adherence to the person and teachings of Jesus.
become : (Greek: genestai - to become, to be made, to come into being). Suggests a transformation, a change of state.
You persuade me : Acknowledges the power of the argument.
to become a Christian : Identifies the specific commitment being urged.
almost : The crucial qualifier, revealing his reservation. This "almost" speaks volumes about the internal struggle between conviction and action. It's a recognized barrier to complete surrender.
Acts 26 28 Bonus Section
This moment is often cited in discussions about evangelism and the nature of commitment. Agrippa’s response contrasts sharply with the fervent conviction of Paul, who, despite his own chains, so passionately desires the salvation of others. Agrippa's "almost" serves as a potent reminder that conviction does not always equate to conversion. The Apostle Paul’s response in the following verse ("I wish to God... not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am except for these chains") underscores the profound difference between being persuaded by a speech and being transformed by the Gospel. It reveals Paul's genuine heart for souls, seeking not just belief but a deep, transformative identification with Christ. The scene highlights the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit in bringing about true conversion, which Agrippa, in this instance, did not fully embrace.
Acts 26 28 Commentary
Agrippa's statement, "Agrippa said to Paul, 'Almost you persuade me to become a Christian,'" is a poignant reflection of a critical juncture in spiritual conviction. Paul’s compelling narrative and evident transformation resonated deeply with Agrippa. The king recognized the truth presented, finding it difficult to refute. Yet, the confession implies a resistance to the full implications of becoming a Christian. This wasn't necessarily a rejection of the message, but a pause, perhaps due to the social status of Christianity, the personal cost of discipleship, or the disruption of his current lifestyle and political position. Agrippa’s words highlight the often-encountered tension between intellectual assent and the will's commitment. The Greek word for "almost" (schēdon) conveys that Agrippa was very close to making that decision. This "almost" demonstrates that a superficial understanding or appreciation of the Gospel is not enough; true discipleship requires a complete and active commitment of one's life to Christ.
- The near conversion: Agrippa was not simply indifferent; he was significantly moved.
- The barrier: The phrase points to a hesitation or obstacle preventing full commitment. This could be fear, pride, or comfort in his current state.
- The nature of conversion: True conversion is more than intellectual agreement; it's a transformative life change.