Acts 26:5

Acts 26:5 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
• New International Version (NIV)They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.
• English Standard Version (ESV)They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
• New King James Version (NKJV)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.

Context of Acts 26:5

3for I know you are an expert on all Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently! 4“As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood among my own people and in Jerusalem. If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion. 6Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors. 7In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope!

Acts 26:5 word by word

προγινώσκοντές με ἄνωθεν, ἐὰν θέλωσιν μαρτυρεῖν ὅτι κατὰ τὴν ἀκριβεστάτην αἵρεσιν τῆς ἡμετέρας θρησκείας ἔζησα Φαρισαῖος·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Which knewπρογινώσκωproginōskō · to know/chooseG4267
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• from the beginningἄνωθενanōthen · from above/againG509
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• they wouldθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• testifyμαρτυρέωmartureō · to testifyG3140
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• afterκατάkata · according toG2596
• the most straitestὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the most straitestἀκριβέστατοςakribestatos · strictestG196
• sectαἵρεσιςhairesis · sectG139
• of ourἡμέτεροςhēmeteros · ourG2251
• religionθρησκείαthrēskeia · religionG2356
• I livedζάωzaō · to liveG2198
• a PhariseeΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330

Cross-references for Acts 26:5

• Acts 22:5The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
• Acts 23:6Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!”
• Philippians 3:5I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law.
• Acts 24:5We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes.

Commentaries on Acts 26:5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5After the most straitest sect - That is, the Pharisees; who were reputed the strictest in their doctrines, and in their moral practices, of all the sects then among the Jews. The sects were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Which knew me - Who were well acquainted with me. From the beginning - ̓́ anōthenFormerly; or from the very commencement of my career. Who were perfectly apprised of my whole course. If they would testify - If they would bear witness to what they know. That after the most straitest - The most rigid; the most strict, not only in regard to the written Law of God, but to the traditions of the elders. Paul himself elsewhere testifies Philemon 3:4-6 that he…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. 4-54-5. from my youth, which was at the first ... at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; which knew me from the beginning--plainly showing that he received his education, even from early youth, at Jerusalem. See on Ac 22:3.Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 26:5

• Court
• Defense
• Obedience
• Paul
• Pharisees
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Above
• Agrippa II.
• Beside
• Corner
• Disobedient
• Incredible
• Instantly
• James
• Mad
• Persuade

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