Acts 26

Acts 26 records Paul’s defense before King Agrippa II. In this chapter, Paul explains his background as a strict Pharisee, how he once persecuted the followers of Jesus, and how his life completely changed after meeting Christ on the road to Damascus. He also explains that his message is not against the Jewish faith, but is actually the fulfillment of what Moses and the prophets had spoken about: that Christ would suffer, rise from the dead, and bring light to both Jews and Gentiles. This chapter shows the power of Christ to transform a person’s life and highlights the resurrection as the center of Paul’s preaching.

Acts 26:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:
2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,
3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4 My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.
5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Paul begins respectfully before King Agrippa. He is glad to speak before Agrippa because Agrippa understands Jewish customs and religious questions. Paul then explains that he was not an enemy of the Jewish faith. From his youth, he lived among the Jews and followed the strictest group of Judaism, the Pharisees. By saying this, Paul shows that he had always taken God’s law and Jewish religion seriously.

Acts 26:6-8 (NKJV)
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?

Paul explains that the real reason he is on trial is because of the hope of the resurrection. This hope was not something new or strange. It was connected to the promises God had given to the fathers of Israel. The Jewish people were waiting for God’s promised salvation, and Paul says that this hope is fulfilled in Christ. He then asks why anyone should think it impossible for God to raise the dead. If God is the Creator and the giver of life, then resurrection should not be considered unbelievable.

Acts 26:9-11 (NKJV)
9 Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Paul honestly admits that he once fought against Jesus and His followers. He believed he was serving God by opposing the Christians. He arrested many believers, approved of their punishment, and even supported their death. His hatred was so strong that he persecuted them not only in Jerusalem but also in other cities. This shows how great the change in Paul’s life was. He was not always a preacher of Christ; he was once a fierce enemy of Christ’s people.

Acts 26:12-15 (NKJV)
12 While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’

Paul then tells Agrippa about his conversion on the road to Damascus. While he was traveling to arrest more Christians, a bright light from heaven shone around him. It was brighter than the sun. Then Jesus spoke to him personally, saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” This shows that Jesus identifies Himself with His people. To persecute Christ’s followers was to persecute Christ Himself. The phrase “kick against the goads” means Paul was resisting God’s direction, like an animal fighting against a sharp stick used to guide it. Jesus was showing Paul that he was fighting against the very One he should have been serving.

Acts 26:16-18 (NKJV)
16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Jesus did not only stop Paul; He also gave him a mission. Paul was chosen to be a minister and witness of Christ. He would testify about what he had seen and what Jesus would continue to reveal to him. His mission was to go especially to the Gentiles, to open their eyes spiritually and turn them from darkness to light. This means they would turn from ignorance, sin, and Satan’s power to God. Through faith in Christ, they would receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among God’s sanctified people. This shows that the gospel is not only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles.

Acts 26:19-23 (NKJV)
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—
23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Paul tells Agrippa that he obeyed the heavenly vision. He preached first in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and Judea, and later to the Gentiles. His message was simple: people must repent, turn to God, and live in a way that shows true repentance. Paul explains that this is why the Jews opposed him and tried to kill him. But God helped him, and he continued to witness to both ordinary people and important leaders. Paul also says that he was not teaching anything against Moses and the prophets. His message was exactly what the Scriptures had pointed to: Christ would suffer, rise from the dead, and bring light to both Jews and Gentiles.

Acts 26:24-29 (NKJV)
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
26 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.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would 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.”

Festus interrupts Paul and says that Paul is mad, thinking that too much learning has made him lose his mind. But Paul calmly answers that he is not mad. He is speaking words of truth and reason. Paul then turns directly to King Agrippa, knowing that Agrippa understands the Jewish prophets. Paul boldly asks him if he believes the prophets. Agrippa realizes that Paul is trying to persuade him to believe in Christ. Paul’s answer shows his deep love for souls. He says that he wishes not only Agrippa but everyone listening would become like him, except for his chains. Even while Paul is a prisoner, his heart is focused on saving others.

Acts 26:30-32 (NKJV)
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them;
31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

After Paul finishes speaking, Agrippa, Festus, Bernice, and the others discuss the case privately. They agree that Paul has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment. This shows that Paul was innocent of the accusations against him. Agrippa says that Paul could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar. However, Paul’s appeal would eventually take him to Rome, where he would continue to witness for Christ. Even through unfair trials and imprisonment, God was guiding Paul’s path and using his situation to spread the gospel further.