Acts 26:1

Acts 26:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
• New International Version (NIV)Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:
• English Standard Version (ESV)So Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:

Context of Acts 26:1

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are [now] permitted to speak on your own behalf.” At that, Paul stretched out his hand [as an orator] and made his defense [as follows]: 2“I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, since it is before you that I am to make my defense today regarding all the charges brought against me by the Jews, 3especially because you are an expert [fully knowledgeable, experienced and unusually conversant] in all the Jewish customs and controversial issues; therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

Acts 26:1 word by word

Ἀγρίππας δὲ πρὸς τὸν Παῦλον ἔφη· ἐπιτρέπεταί σοι περὶ σεαυτοῦ λέγειν. τότε ὁ Παῦλος ἐκτείνας τὴν χεῖρα ἀπελογεῖτο·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thenδέde · thenG1161
• AgrippaἈγρίππαςAgrippas · AgrippaG67
• saidφημίphēmi · to assertG5346
• untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• Paulὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• PaulΠαῦλοςPaulos · PaulG3972
• Thouσύsu · youG4771
• art permittedἐπιτρέπωepitrepō · to permitG2010
• to speakλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• thyselfσεαυτοῦseautou seautō seauton sautou sautō sauton · yourselfG4572
• Thenτότεtote · thenG5119
• stretched forthἐκτείνωekteinō · to stretch outG1614
• the handχείρcheir · handG5495
• and answered for himselfἀπολογέομαιapologeomai · to defend oneselfG626

Cross-references for Acts 26:1

• Acts 25:16I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man [for punishment] before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has the opportunity to defend himself against the charges.
• Proverbs 18:13He who answers before he hears [the facts]— It is folly and shame to him.
• John 7:51“Does our Law convict someone without first giving him a hearing and finding out what he is [accused of] doing?”
• Proverbs 1:24Because I called and you refused [to answer], I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer];
• Ezekiel 16:27Behold now [listen very carefully], I have stretched out My hand against you, reduced your portion, and handed you over to the desire of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who are ashamed of your infamous behavior.
• Romans 10:21But of Israel he says, “All day long I have stretched out My hands [in compassion] to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
• Acts 26:2“I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, since it is before you that I am to make my defense today regarding all the charges brought against me by the Jews,
• Acts 22:1“Brethren and fathers (kinsmen), hear my defense which I now offer to you.”

Commentaries on Acts 26:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1Then Paul stretched forth the hand - This act, as we have already seen on Acts 21:40, was merely to gain attention; it was no rhetorical flourish, nor designed for one. From knowing, partly by descriptions, and partly by ancient statues, how orators and others who address a concourse of people stood, we can easily conceive the attitude of St. Paul. When the right hand was stretched out, the left remained under the cloak, which being thrown off the right…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Then Paul stretched forth the hand - See the notes on Acts 21:40. This was the usual posture of orators or public speakers. The ancient statues are commonly made in this way, with the right hand extended. The dress of the ancients favored this. The long and loose robe, or outer garment, was fastened usually with a hook or clasp on the right shoulder, and thus left the arm at full liberty. And answered for himself - It cannot be supposed that Paul expected…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Paul's defence before Agrippa. (1-11) His conversion and preaching to the Gentiles. (12-23) Festus and Agrippa convinced of Paul's innocence. (24-32) Verses 1-11 Christianity teaches us to give a reason of the hope that is in us, and also to give honour to whom honour is due, without flattery or fear of man. Agrippa was well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, therefore could the better judge as to the controversy about Jesus being the Messiah…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-23In his careful defense before King Agrippa, Paul argued that his message agreed fully with the Jewish faith. He began by respectfully recognizing Agrippa’s knowledge of Jewish matters (26:2–3). He then described his early life, his training in Judaism, and his membership in the Pharisees (a Jewish group known for strict obedience to the law; 26:4–5). Paul explained that the charges against him were only because he believed that God had fulfilled the…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-32This speech, though in substance the same as that from the fortress stairs of Jerusalem (Ac 22:1-29), differs from it in being less directed to meet the charge of apostasy from the Jewish faith, and giving more enlarged views of his remarkable change and apostolic commission, and the divine support under which he was enabled to brave the hostility of his countrymen. 1-3. Agrippa said--Being a king he appears to have presided. Paul stretched forth the…Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 26:1

• Court
• Defense
• Prisoners
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Paul
• Paul, Saul
• Above
• Agrippa II.
• Beside
• Corner
• Disobedient
• Incredible
• Instantly
• James

Commentaries on Acts 26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings