Acts 26

Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa

1Agrippa 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 that today I can defend myself before you against all the accusations made by some Jewish people, 3especially because you are knowledgeable about all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I ask you to listen to me patiently. 4All the Jewish people know how I lived from my youth, from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem. 5They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest party of our religion. 6And now I stand on trial because of the hope of the promise God made to our ancestors, 7the promise our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly worship God night and day. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by some Jewish people. 8Why should any of you consider it unbelievable that God raises the dead?

Paul Describes His Former Persecution

9“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests, I locked many of the holy ones in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11In synagogue after synagogue I often punished them and tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so violently enraged against them that I persecuted them even in foreign cities.

The Heavenly Vision and Commission

12“While doing this, I traveled to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests. 13At midday, O king, I saw on the road a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. 14We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16But get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you as a servant and witness both to what you have seen of me and to what I will show you. 17I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light and from Satan’s authority to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those made holy by trust in me.’

Paul Was Not Disobedient to the Vision

19“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20Instead, first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, I proclaimed that they should repent, turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. 21This is why some Jewish people seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22But with help from God I have stood to this day, testifying to both small and great. I say nothing beyond what the Prophets and Moses said was going to happen: 23that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Festus and Agrippa Respond

24As Paul was saying these things in his defense, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you insane!” 25Paul answered, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. I am speaking words of truth and sound judgment. 26The king knows about these matters, and I speak to him boldly because I am convinced none of this has escaped his notice. This was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you trust the Prophets? I know that you do.” 28Agrippa said to Paul, “In such a short time are you trying to persuade me to become a Christian?” 29Paul replied, “Whether in a short time or a long time, I pray to God that not only you but everyone listening to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.” 30Then the king stood up, along with the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them. 31After withdrawing, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing deserving death or imprisonment.” 32Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”