New English Translation
Acts 26:29
29Paul replied, “I pray to God that whether in a short or a long time not only you but also all those who are listening to me today could become such as I am, except for these chains.”
Acts 26:29 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
- New International Version (NIV)Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains."
- New King James Version (NKJV)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.”
Context of Acts 26:29
27Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe.” 28Agrippa said to Paul, “In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?” Paul replied, “I pray to God that whether in a short or a long time not only you but also all those who are listening to me today could become such as I am, except for these chains.” 30So the king got up, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them, 31and as they were leaving they said to one another, “This man is not doing anything deserving death or imprisonment.”
Read all of Acts 26Acts 26:29 word by word
ὁ δὲ Παῦλος εὐξαίμην ἂν τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἐν ὀλίγῳ καὶ ἐν μεγάλῳ οὐ μόνον σὲ ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἀκούοντάς μου σήμερον γενέσθαι τοιούτους ὁποῖος καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι παρεκτὸς τῶν δεσμῶν τούτων.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andδέde · thenG1161
- Paulὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- PaulΠαῦλοςPaulos · PaulG3972
- saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- I wouldεὔχομαιeuchomai · to pray/wish forG2172
- ·ἄνan · ifG302
- to Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- notοὐou · noG3756
- onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
- thouσύsu · youG4771
- butἀλλάalla · butG235
- alsoκαίkai · andG2532
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- that hearἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
- meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- this dayσήμερονsēmeron · todayG4594
- wereγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- ·ἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- almostὀλίγοςoligos · little/fewG3641
- altogetherπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
- suchτοιοῦτοςtoioutos · such as thisG5108
- asὁποῖοςhopoios · what sort?G3697
- Iκἀγώkagō kamoi kame · and IG2504
- amεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- exceptπαρεκτόςparektos · exceptG3924
- theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- bondsδεσμόςdesmon desmos · chainG1199
Cross-references for Acts 26:29
- Exodus 16:3The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this desert to kill this whole assembly with hunger!”
- Numbers 11:29Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for me? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”
- 2 Samuel 18:33(19:1) The king then became very upset. He went up to the upper room over the gate and wept. As he went he said, “My son, Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I could have died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!”
- 2 Kings 5:3She told her mistress, “If only my master were in the presence of the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his skin disease.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:8Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you!
- 1 Corinthians 7:7I wish that everyone was as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one this way, another that.
- 2 Corinthians 11:1I wish that you would be patient with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you are being patient with me!
- Jeremiah 13:17But if you will not pay attention to this warning, I will weep alone because of your arrogant pride. I will weep bitterly and my eyes will overflow with tears because you, the Lord’s flock, will be carried into exile.”
- Luke 19:41Now when Jesus approached and saw the city, he wept over it,
- John 5:34(I do not accept human testimony, but I say this so that you may be saved.)
- Romans 9:1I am telling the truth in Christ (I am not lying!), for my conscience assures me in the Holy Spirit –
- Romans 10:1Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God on behalf of my fellow Israelites is for their salvation.
- Colossians 1:28We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ.
- Acts 12:6On that very night before Herod was going to bring him out for trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison.
- Acts 25:14While they were staying there many days, Festus explained Paul’s case to the king to get his opinion, saying, “There is a man left here as a prisoner by Felix.
- Ephesians 6:20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.
Commentaries on Acts 26:29
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 29I would to God, etc. - ͅ ͅ, ͅ ͅ - So fully am I persuaded of the infinite excellence of Christianity, and so truly happy am I in possession of it, that I most ardently wish that not only thou, but this whole council, were not only almost, but altogether, such as I am, these Chains excepted. Thus, while his heart glows with affection for their best interests, he wishes that they might enjoy all his blessings, if possible, without being obliged to bear any…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 29I would to God - I pray to God; I earnestly desire it of God. This shows: (1) Paul‘s intense desire that Agrippa, and all who heard him, might be saved. (2) his steady and constant belief that none but God could incline people to become altogether Christians. Paul knew well that there was nothing that would overcome the reluctance of the human heart to be an entire Christian but the grace and mercy of God. He had addressed to his hearers the convincing…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24-32Verses 24-32 It becomes us, on all occasions, to speak the words of truth and soberness, and then we need not be troubled at the unjust censures of men. Active and laborious followers of the gospel often have been despised as dreamers or madmen, for believing such doctrines and such wonderful facts; and for attesting that the same faith and diligence, and an experience like their own, are necessary to all men, whatever their rank, in order to their…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 29Paul’s bold answer shows that he could respond quickly and clearly. He challenges Agrippa and the whole audience to think about the value of knowing Christ and making a personal commitment to him.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 27-2927-29. believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest--The courage and confidence here shown proceeded from a vivid persuasion of Agrippa's knowledge of the facts and faith in the predictions which they verified; and the king's reply is the highest testimony to the correctness of these presumptions and the immense power of such bold yet courteous appeals to conscience.Read the comment
Topics related to Acts 26:29
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
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