Acts 26

1.Paul having obtained leave to answer for himself, elates before King Agrippa and the whole Councill, his life before his conversion, 12 his conversion and calling to the Apostolicall office how that happened, 19 and his life after his conversion, 20 what he did, 21 suffered, 22 and taught, 24 which defence being heard, Festus judgeth Paul to be mad, which Paul denieth. 27 Agrippa is moved almost to be a Christian. 30 And he and the standers about judge that he is innocent, 32 as also that he might be released, if he had not appealed unto Cesar.

1. And Agrippa said unto Paul, it is allowed thee to speak for thy self. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, Namely, to procure quietness and audience] and defended himself (thus:)

2. I esteeme my self happy O King Agrippa, that I shall defend my self before thee this day, concerning all whereof I am accused of the Jews.

3. Most of all, seeing I know that thou hast knowledge [Gr.art a knower, namely as being a Jew, and instructed in the Jewish Religion. This he saith not to flatter Agrippa, but to move him to greater attention and docility] of all customes and questions, [Or controversies] which are amongst the Jews. Therefore I intreat thee that thou wouldst hear me patiently.

4. My life therefore [That is, how I have lived and carried my self] from my youth up, which from the beginning was amongst my people at Jerusalem, know all the Jews.

5. As who from a long time, [Gr.from upwards, i.e. of times past] have known me before, (if the would testifie it) that after the exactest [or accuratest, perfectest. See Acts 22:3.] sect of our Religion, I lived as a Pharisee.

6. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise [That is, of the fulfilling of the promise, of obtaining righteousness and salvation through the Messiah, v. 22. 23.] which was made by God unto the Fathers.

7. To the which [Namely, hope, i.e.thing hoped for, or promise, i.e. thing promised] our twelve tribes, [namely, the godly Jews of the twelve tribes of Israel, not only they that dwell in Judea, but also those that are scattered through the whole world, James 1:1.] continually, [Gr.in continuance, or in servency] night and day ; serving (God) hope to come [which hope namely, is good indeed in it self, but herein defective, that they still hope and expect that which is already fulfilled in Jesus Christ] concerning which hope [that is, concerning the fulfilling of which hope, &c. wherein also the hope of the resurrection of the dead, and above all of the Messiah is contained: which without doubt he had proved out of writings of the Prophets as he doth, Acts 13:33,and so forward, as the following discourse of Paul declares] O King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

8. What? [This he seems to have spoken turning to Festus and the other Gentiles, for Agrippa believed the Prophets v.27.and therefore also the resurrection of the dead, v. 7.] Is it judged incredible with you, that God raiseth the dead?

9. Truly I thought with my self, [Namely, like as others now do, with zeal without] right knowledge] that I ought to do many contrary things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10. Which I did also at Jerusalem: and I shut many of the Saints [That is, those that believed in Christ] into prisons, having received the power from the chief Priests: and whom they were put to death, I consented to it. [Gr. I broudht my voice to it. Of the Greek word Psephos.see Revelation 2:17.]

11. And through all the Synagogues I punished them often, [Namely, who remaind constant in their faith] and compelled (them) to blaspheme, [that is, with tortures and threatening compelled them to deny Christ, yea even to curse him, as this was also the manner of the Heathen in persecuting of the Christians.see Plin. Jun. In Epist.ad Trajan] and raging against them above measure, I persecuted them even unto foreign Cities.

12. , Whereupon also as I travelled to Damascus [That which hath need of exposition in this relation, see thereof the annotat.on chapter 9.] with power and order, which (I had) from the chief Priests.

13. I saw O King in the midst of the day on the way, a light above the brightness of the Sun from heaven shining round about me, and those that travelled with me.

14. And when we all [That is, as well they that travelled with me, as I, although I remained lying, and they all amazed rose up immediately, Acts 9:7.] were fallen down to the Earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, [from hence it seemeth that Paul spake not to Agrippa and Festus in Hebrew, but in Greek or Latine as better known unto them] Saul , Saul, why persecutes thou me? It is hard for thee to strike thy heels against pricks.

15. , And I said, who art thou Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest

16. But raise up thyself and stand on thy feet, for this purpose I have appeared unto thee, [Or am seen of thee, of the manner of this appearing see the annotate. Acts 9:17.] to appoint thee for a Minister and a Witness of the things both which thou hast seen, and in which I shall (yet) appear unto thee:

17. Delivering thee from this people, [Namely, of the Jews which shall persecute thee] and (from) the Gentiles, unto whom I now send thee.

18. To open their eyes. [That is, their understanding, namely, by the preaching of my Gospel] and to turn (them) from darkness to light, [that is, from natural blindness, and worldy ignorance, unto the right and true knowledge of God to eternal salvation] and from the power of Satan unto God; that they might receive remission of sins, and an inheritance [Gr.a lot, because many times inheritances are divided by lot] amongst the sanctified, by faith in me.

19. Therefore O King Agrippa I have not been disobedient to that heavenly vision:

20. But first to them that were at Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and in the whole land of Judea, and to the Gentiles, published that they should amend themselves, and turn unto God, doing works worthy of repentance. [See the exposition of this, Matthew 3:8.]

21. For these things sake, the Jews took me in the Temple, and attempted to make me away.

22. Therefore having obtained help of God, I stand even unto this day, [That is, I am yet preserved alive, and am not therefore become more slothfull in preaching the Gospel] testifying both to small and great [i.e. every one of what state and condition soever he be] saying nothing besides that which the Prophets and Moses have spoken, should come to pass.

23. (Namely) that the Christ must suffer, and that he being the first of the resurrection of the dead, [Namely, to live eternally: for some who were risen before, died again. But Paul here hath respect not only to the order, but especially to the power of Christ, as of the head, whereby the faithfull as his members shall also arise to eternal life in due time. See 1 Cor. 15. 22, 23. Col. 1.v. 18.] should declare a light [see v.18] to this people and to the Gentiles.

24. And as he spake these things for defence, Festus said with a great voice, thou art mad Paul: [Namely, as persons who are idle of sences by too much studying. So the natural man judgeth of the wisdom of God, 1 Cor. 1. 18, 23.and 2.1 4.] great learning [Gr.turns the many letters] bringeth thee to madness. [Gr.tunrs thee about.]

25. But he said, I am not mad, most mighty Festus, but I speak words of truth, and of a found understanding. [Or of the temperate and sober understanding.]

26. For the King knoweth of these things. [Namely, which I have related of Jesus Christ, and that which was done to him, seeing it was done openly at Jerusalem, and is known throughout all Syria] unto whom also using boldness, I speak: for I believe not that any of these things is hidden from him, for this was not done in a corner.

27. O King Agrippa, believest thou the Prophets? I know that you believest them. [That is, holdest them for true, and for the word of God.]

28. And Agrippa said unto Paul, thou movest me [Gr.perswadest] almost to be a Christian.

29. And Paul said, I wish indeed from God, that both almost and altogether, [Gr.that both in little and in much] not only thou, but also all that hear me this day became such as I am, except these bands. [that is, this chain, in which his hands was made fast. See Acts 12:6.and 28. 16.]

30. And when he had said this, the King rose up, and the Governour, and Bernice, and those that had sate with them.

31. And being gone aside, they spake unto one another saying; this man doth nothing worthy of death or of bands.

32. And Agrippa said unto Festus, this man might be released, if he had not appealed unto Cesar. [This is but an evasion: for Paul appeal unto Caesar could not hinder his releasement seeing they held him innocent: but this they say that they might not release Paul, and to avoid the Jews displeasure.]