Act 26 | MHM | STEP | Paul’s Defense before King Agrippa In this section, Paul is given the chance to speak for himself before King Agrippa and the governor Festus. Paul respectfully addresses Agrippa, acknowledging his knowledge of Jewish customs and beliefs. Paul then explains his background, his faith in God’s promises, and his hope in the resurrection, which is the main reason he is being accused by the Jewish leaders. He also describes his former life as a strict Pharisee and his zeal in persecuting Christians, before recounting his dramatic conversion and call from Jesus to preach to both Jews and Gentiles. v. 1–3 : Paul begins his defense by respectfully addressing King Agrippa. He is glad to speak before Agrippa because the king is familiar with Jewish customs and controversies. Paul asks Agrippa to listen patiently to his explanation.

‏ Acts 26

Paul’s Defense before King Agrippa

In this section, Paul is given the chance to speak for himself before King Agrippa and the governor Festus. Paul respectfully addresses Agrippa, acknowledging his knowledge of Jewish customs and beliefs. Paul then explains his background, his faith in God’s promises, and his hope in the resurrection, which is the main reason he is being accused by the Jewish leaders. He also describes his former life as a strict Pharisee and his zeal in persecuting Christians, before recounting his dramatic conversion and call from Jesus to preach to both Jews and Gentiles.

v. 1–3: Paul begins his defense by respectfully addressing King Agrippa. He is glad to speak before Agrippa because the king is familiar with Jewish customs and controversies. Paul asks Agrippa to listen patiently to his explanation.

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v. 4–5: Paul explains that his life has been well known to all Jews from his youth, especially since he was educated in Jerusalem. He states that he lived as a Pharisee, following the strictest group in the Jewish religion.

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v. 6–8: Paul says he is on trial because of his hope in the promise God made to the Jewish ancestors. He shares that all Jews hope for the resurrection, and that is why he is accused. He asks, “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” (Acts 26:8 ^a).

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v. 9–11: Paul admits that in the past, he was convinced he should oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. He tells of how he put many Christians in prison, voted for their execution, punished them in synagogues, and even tried to force them to blaspheme. He was so angry that he chased them to foreign cities.

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Paul’s Conversion and Call to Preach

In this section, Paul continues his defense before King Agrippa by describing his past as a persecutor of Christians and his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. He explains how Jesus Christ himself appeared to him, called him to repentance, and sent him to preach to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul emphasizes that his mission and message are based on direct revelation from Christ, and he summarizes the heart of his preaching: repentance, turning to God, and doing deeds that match true repentance.

v. 12–13: Paul tells how, while he was traveling to Damascus with authority from the chief priests to arrest Christians, he saw a bright light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around him and those traveling with him at midday. This was a supernatural event that could not be explained by natural means. The light was so powerful that it caused them all to fall to the ground.

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v. 14–15: Paul says that he heard a voice speaking to him in the Hebrew language, saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” and the voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” This moment revealed to Paul that persecuting Christians was, in fact, persecuting Jesus himself. Jesus showed that he was alive and exalted, speaking from heaven.

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v. 16–18: Jesus told Paul to stand up, because he was appearing to him for a purpose—to appoint him as a servant and witness to what he had seen and what Jesus would show him in the future. Jesus promised to protect Paul from his own people (the Jews) and from the Gentiles, and then sent him to them. Paul was sent to open their eyes, turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they might receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are made holy by faith in Jesus (Acts 26:18 ^b).

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v. 19–20: Paul explains that he was not disobedient to this heavenly vision. Instead, he preached first in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout Judea, and then to the Gentiles. He called everyone to repent, turn to God, and to show their repentance by their actions. Paul’s message was practical: true repentance is shown by a changed life.

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v. 21–23: Paul says this is why some Jews seized him and tried to kill him. But God has helped him to this day, so he continues to testify to everyone—both small and great. He insists that he is saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen: that the Messiah would suffer, rise from the dead, and proclaim light to both Jews and Gentiles (Isaiah 49:6 ^c).

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Paul’s Defense Interrupted; Festus and Agrippa Respond

This section records what happened after Paul passionately explained his faith and mission to King Agrippa and Governor Festus. As Paul emphasized the resurrection of Jesus and the fulfillment of God’s promises, Festus interrupted him, thinking his words were unreasonable. Paul responds with respect and clarity, and turns directly to Agrippa, appealing to his knowledge of the Jewish scriptures. Agrippa admits Paul has almost convinced him to become a Christian, but the court quickly ends the hearing. The officials agree that Paul has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.

v. 24: As Paul was speaking about the resurrection and the hope in Jesus, Festus suddenly interrupted with a loud voice. He said, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Much learning is driving you mad.” Festus could not understand or accept Paul’s message about Jesus rising from the dead, so he thought that Paul’s intense study and zeal had made him crazy.

v. 25: Paul answered calmly and respectfully, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.” Paul insisted that what he was saying was both true and reasonable, not the result of a confused or disturbed mind.

v. 26: Paul then turned to King Agrippa and said that the king was familiar with these events and promises. Paul was confident that Agrippa knew about the things he was talking about, since the message of Jesus was not done in secret or in a corner.

v. 27: Paul asked Agrippa directly, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do.” Paul appealed to Agrippa’s faith and knowledge of the Jewish scriptures, showing that his message was based on the promises given by the prophets.

v. 28: Agrippa replied, “Almost you persuade me to become a Christian.” Agrippa admitted that Paul’s argument was convincing, and he recognized the power and truth in Paul’s words, but he did not make a full commitment to believe.

v. 29: Paul responded, “I pray to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am—except for these chains.” Paul wished that everyone in the room would become a true follower of Jesus, just as he was, but without being in prison like him.

v. 30–32: After Paul finished speaking, Agrippa, Festus, Bernice, and all the others got up and left the room. As they talked together, they agreed that Paul had done nothing deserving death or imprisonment. Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” They recognized Paul’s innocence, but since he had appealed to the emperor, his case would go to Rome.