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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX:
PAUL’S DEFENSE BEFORE AGRIPPA

[“Great Learning and Madness”]
Key word: Persuasion

Acts 26:1-3 – Paul Introduces His Defense

AC26:1 Now Agrippa said to Paul: “You have permission to speak in your own defense.” Then Paul gestured with his hand and began his defense: AC26:2 “I consider myself blessed, king Agrippa, for the opportunity to give my defense before you today, regarding all the accusations charged against me by the Jews. AC26:3 Particularly because I am aware that you are well-versed in all the customs and questions 1052 among the Jews. Therefore, I beg you patiently hear me.”

1052	Well-versed in all the customs and questions: Or, KJV: Jewish customs and questions; KNX: their controversies; BER: problems; NEB: disputes. As the family heritage by Roman appointed, the house of Herod had great experience with the Jews over a long period.

Acts 26:4-7 – My Manner of Life From my Youth

AC26:4 “All the Jews are aware of my manner of life from my youth originally among my own nation at Jerusalem. AC26:5 If they wished to testify, they know quite well, as they have been acquainted with me from the beginning: that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. 1053

1053	Pharisee: Compare Acts 23:6 and Philippians 3:5.

AC26:6 Now here I stand on trial because of the promised hope made by The God to our forefathers. AC26:7 It is with the hope of attaining this promise that our twelve tribes 1054 earnestly worship The God night and day. It is regarding this hope, king Agrippa, that I am accused by the Jews.”

1054	Twelve tribes: There are no “lost tribes.” Compare notes on James 1:1.

Acts 26:8-11 – Original Opposition against Jesus

AC26:8 “Why should it be thought unbelievable 1055 by [some of] you [Jews] that The God raises up the dead?

1055	Unbelievable: Or, incredible, past belief, impossible.

AC26:9 For a certainty I thought myself that I should do many hostile things 1056 against the name of Jesus the Nazarene.

1056	Hostile things: Or, contrary, oppose, combat. On Paul’s testimony here see notes on Acts 8 and Galatians 1.

AC26:10 This is what I actually did in Jerusalem as I imprisoned many of the Saints 1057 by authority from the chief priests. Also, when they were put to death I voted against them.

1057	Saints: Another name for the disciples, along with “the Way,” “Nazarenes,” and, “Christians.”

AC26:11 I often punished them in all the synagogues and tried to force them to recant their faith. 1058 In my rage against them I persecuted them in other cities.”

1058	Recant their faith: Or, NEB: renounce their faith. The Greek is literally “blaspheme.”

Acts 26:12-18 – His Experience on the Damascus Road

AC26:12 “On such an occasion I was traveling to Damascus empowered with authority and a commission from the chief priests. AC26:13 At high noon, 1059 O king, from the sky above a light brighter than the sun flashed around me and those traveling with me.

1059

At high noon: This is the third account of Paul’s experience. For details on the experience in general see notes on Acts 8 and 22. This is the longest and most details account. It seems likely Paul has either remembered more of the details, or did not find it appropriate in the other account to relate all the details.

AC26:14 After we were all knocked to the ground I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew 1060 language: ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? You make it hard on yourself in kicking against my prods!’ 1061

1060	Hebrew: This is revealed only here.

1061

You make it hard on yourself in kicking against my prods: Or, KJV: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks; GDS: you cannot kick against the goad; MOF: you hurt yourself by kicking at the goad; WEY: ox-goad; PME: it is not easy for you to kick against your own conscience; NOR: it will be hard for you to rebel and resist. The “goad” was a cattle prod about 8 feet long, sometimes with a blade to clean a plow. It is used metaphorically at Ecclesiastes 12:11. The expression Jesus uses is an analogy of a stubborn bull kicking against the prod and thus injuring itself. In Saul’s case it suggests he was resisting rightful authority only hurting himself. Paul writes that he was separated from his mother’s womb. [Galatians 1:18] Jesus is trying to guide and lead Saul in the right direction toward his ultimate use but he has resisted these proddings. It is possible the Greek EKTROMATI [traumatic abortion] at 1 Corinthians 15:8 relates to the same thing.

AC26:15 Then I asked: ‘Who are you, sir?’ But the Master said: ‘I am the one you are persecuting – Jesus. AC26:16 Now “stand up on your feet!” Because I have made myself visible 1062 to you for this reason: to appoint you as my attendant 1063 and witness, both of these things that you have seen as well as other things I will show you.

1062	Visible: Or, appeared, shown myself. The Greek is OPHTHEN [I became seen]. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:8 where OPHTHE is used.

1063	Attendant: Or, minister, servant. The Greek HYPERETEN and is literally “subordinate.”

AC26:17 I will deliver you from both the Jews and the non-Jews to whom I now send you. AC26:18 In order to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to Light, 1064 and from the authority of Satan over to [that] of The God. 1065 In order that they may have their sins forgiven and [receive] an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by their faith in me.’” 1066

1064	Turn them from darkness to Light: In verses 16-18 there are several phrases borrowed from the Hebrew Bible. [Ezekiel 2:1, 2; 1 Chronicles 16:35; Isaiah 42:7, 16]

1065	The God: The Greek is TON THEON [as at John 1:1] and nowhere does Jesus infer he is God.

1066	Those who have been sanctified by their faith in me: Or, RIE: take their place with those whose lives have been made holy by their faith in me.

Acts 26:19-23 – Paul Presents the Christian Message

AC26:19 “After that, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. AC26:20 So I began reporting this message, first in Damascus and Jerusalem, and then throughout the land of Judaea, and later to the non-Jews – that they should repent and turn to The God by performing works consistent with repentance. AC26:21 This is the only reason the Jews seized me in the temple courtyard and tried to kill me. AC26:22 And so, having obtained the help of The God right up to this moment, I stand here testifying to the small and great nothing more than those things written in the Prophets, as well as what Moses said would occur. AC26:23 That is, that the Christ – after suffering, and as the first to be resurrected from among the dead 1067 – is publishing Light to both the Jews and the non-Jews.”

1067	The first to be resurrected from among the dead: Compare 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23; Revelation 1:5; 2:8.

Acts 26:24-29 – Agrippa Almost Persuaded

AC26:24 Now as Paul was saying these things in his defense, Festus yelled: “Paul, you are insane! 1068 Great studies 1069 are driving you into madness!” 1070

1068	Insane: Or, beside yourself, raving made, out of your mind, crazy. The Greek is MAINE from which comes “manic.” It is often the case that the reaction of some to an experience like Paul’s vision is interpreted to mean an unbalanced mind.

1069	Great studies: Or, much learning, great learning. The Greek is literally “many writings.”

1070	Madness: Or, WEY: turning your brain; MOF: driving you insane; WMS: driving you crazy; BAS: made you unbalanced. [MANIAN]

AC26:25 However, Paul responded: “Your Excellency Festus, I am not crazy. Rather, I speak truthfully and with a sound mind. 1071

1071	Sound mind: O, soberness, soundness of mind, healthy mind.

AC26:26 For king [Agrippa] is familiar with these things and so I can speak to him with perfect freedom. Because I am convinced that none of these details have escaped his notice, for it did not all happen in some secret corner! AC26:27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know you do.” AC26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul: “It would not take much to convince me to become a Christian.” 1072

1072

It would not take much to convince me to become a Christian: Or, KJV: almost thou persuadest; LAM: with little effort; BAS: a little more; MOF: at this rate… it wont be long before you believe you have made a Christian of me; GDS: you are in a hurry to persuade me and make a Christian of me; NEB: you think it will not take much to win me over and make a Christian of me. There are a couple of views on how it should be worded.

AC26:29 Then Paul said: “I wish to The God, that not only you, but also all that hear me here today – whether quickly or over time – would become as I am with the exception of these chains.”

Acts 26:30-32 – No Grounds for Death or Prison

AC26:30 Then king [Agrippa] rose along with governor [Festus] and Bernice, as well as all those that sat with them. AC26:31 After they had gone outside they talked among themselves, saying: “This man has done nothing worthy of either death or prison!” AC26:32 Then Agrippa told Festus: “This person could be free if he had not appealed to Caesar!” 1073

1073	If he had not appealed to Caesar: The Master has a purpose for Paul: to get him to Rome to witness, and to testify before Nero.

Review Questions on Chapter Twenty-six