English Standard Version
Acts 26:23
23that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."
Acts 26:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
- New International Version (NIV)that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
- New King James Version (NKJV)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.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”
Context of Acts 26:23
21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles." 24And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind." 25But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.
Read all of Acts 26Acts 26:23 word by word
εἰ παθητὸς ὁ χριστός, εἰ πρῶτος ἐξ ἀναστάσεως νεκρῶν φῶς μέλλει καταγγέλλειν τῷ τε λαῷ καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thatεἰei · if: surelyG1487
- Christὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
- shouldμέλλωmellō · to ensueG3195
- sufferπαθητόςpathētos · sufferingG3805
- he should be the firstπρῶτοςprōtos · firstG4413
- that should riseἀνάστασιςanastasis · resurrectionG386
- fromἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- the deadνεκρόςnekros · deadG3498
- and should shewκαταγγέλλωkataggellō · to proclaimG2605
- lightφῶςphōs · lightG5457
- unto the peopleλαόςlaos · a peopleG2992
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- to the Gentilesἔθνοςethnos · GentilesG1484
Cross-references for Acts 26:23
- Genesis 3:15I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
- Psalms 22:1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
- Isaiah 53:1Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
- Daniel 9:24"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
- Zechariah 12:10"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
- Zechariah 13:7"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me," declares the Lord of hosts. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.
- Luke 18:31And taking the twelve, he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.
- Luke 24:26Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?"
- 1 Corinthians 15:3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
- Acts 26:8Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
- Acts 2:23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
- Acts 13:34And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, "'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'
- Psalms 16:8I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
- Isaiah 53:10Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
- Matthew 27:53and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
- John 10:18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."
Commentaries on Acts 26:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23That Christ should suffer - That the Christ, or Messiah, should suffer. This, though fully revealed in the prophets, the prejudices of the Jews would not permit them to receive: they expected their Messiah to be a glorious secular prince; and, to reconcile the fifty-third of Isaiah with their system, they formed the childish notion of two Messiahs - Messiah ben David, who should reign, conquer, and triumph; and Messiah ben Ephraim, who should suffer and…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23That Christ - That the Messiah expected by the Jews should be a suffering Messiah. Should suffer - Should lead a painful life, and be put to death. See the notes on Acts 17:3; compare Daniel 9:27; Isaiah 53:1-12. And that he should be the first - This declaration contains two points: (1) That it was taught in the prophets that the Messiah Would rise from the dead. On this, see the proof alleged in Acts 2:24-32; Acts 13:32-37. (2) that he would be the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-23Verses 12-23 Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a revelation of Christ both to him and in him; when in the full career of his sin. He was made a minister by Divine authority: the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light, ordered him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. A world that sits in darkness must be enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to their everlasting peace, who are yet ignorant of them. A…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22-23Paul stressed that God protected him as he carried out his witness (compare 3:18; 10:43; Luke 24:25–27, 44–47). Paul urged his listeners to believe that Jesus is the Christ who fulfills Old Testament promises (see Luke 24:27, 44).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22-2322-23. having obtained help--"succor." from God--"that [which cometh] from God." I continue--"stand," "hold my ground." unto this day, witnessing, &c.--that is, This life of mine, so marvellously preserved, in spite of all the plots against it, is upheld for the Gospel's sake; therefore I "witnessed," &c.Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 26:23
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries