MSB ACTs Chapter 26

Paul’s Testimony to Agrippa

(Acts 9:1–19, Acts 22:1–21)

Agrippa said to Paul,“You have permission to speak for yourself.”

Then Paul stretched out [his] hand [and] began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all vvv the accusations of [the] Jews, 3 especially [since] you[fn] are acquainted with all the vvv Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.

4 

Surely all the Jews know vvv vvv how I have lived from [my] earliest childhood among my own people[fn] in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time [and] can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.

6 

And now I stand on trial because of [my] hope in the promise [that] God made to [our] fathers, 7 [ the promise ] our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve [ God ] day and night. [It is] because of [this] hope, O King Agrippa,[fn] [that] I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why {would} any of you consider it incredible that God raises [the] dead?

9 

So then I [too] was convinced that I ought to do all [I could] to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And [that] is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and [when] they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against [them] 11 vvv vvv I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, [and] I tried to make [them] blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, {I} even [went] to foreign cities to persecute [them].

12 

In this [pursuit] I was on my way to Damascus with [the] authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon O king, [as I was] on the road, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions 14 We all fell to the ground, [and] I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? [It is] hard for you to kick against [the] goads.’

15 

‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked.

‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied.[fn] 16 ‘But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you to vvv appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen[fn] and what I will show you. 17 I will rescue you from [your own] people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to [them] 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn[fn] from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, [that] they may receive forgiveness of sins and [an] inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

19 

So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone throughout the region[fn] of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy [of their] repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple [courts][fn] [and] tried to kill [me].

22 

[But] I have had vvv vvv God’s help to this day, [and] I stand [here] to testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen: 23 that the Christ would suffer, [and as the] first to rise from [the] dead, would proclaim light to[fn] our people and to the Gentiles.”

24 

Festus Interrupts Paul’s Defense

At this stage of [Paul’s] defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice,“You are insane, Paul! [Your] great learning is driving you to madness!”

25 

But he answered vvv,[fn]“I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety. 26 For the king knows about these [matters], and I can speak freely to [him]. vvv vvv I am confident that none of this has escaped his [notice], because [it] {was} not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you [do].”

28 

Then Agrippa [said] to Paul,“Can you persuade me in such a short [time] to become a Christian?”

29 

vvv vvv“Short [time] [or] vvv long,” Paul [replied],“I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains.”

30 

When he had spoken these things,[fn] the king and the governor rose, along with Bernice and those seated with them. 31 On their way out, they said to one another“This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.”

32 

And Agrippa said to Festus,“This man could have been released if vvv he had not appealed to Caesar.”