Friday, 12 April 2024   “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Acts 26:27   In the previous verse, Paul noted to Festus that none of the things he was saying would have escaped the attention of Agrippa, since what he spoke of was not done in a corner. Now, he directs his attention and words directly to the king, saying, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?”   Paul’s question is intended for a rebuttal to Festus’ accusation concerning his being insane. It is actually a rhetorical insinuation towards Agrippa. By asking this of him, it is in ..read more

Tuesday, 9 April 2024   Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” Acts 26:24   It is another verse that is rather difficult to translate directly. More literally, and with a newly coined word to get the sense, it reads, “And he, defending himself by these, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘You are maniacizing Paul! Your great letters turn you to mania.’”   Putting the previous verse with this one will provide clarity on the subject, “that passable, the Christ. That first from dead – resurrecti ..read more

Monday, 8 April 2024   “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.” Acts 26:23   The words of Paul are very difficult to express literally. They read, “that passable, the Christ. That first from dead – resurrection – He is come to preach light to both our people and the Gentiles” (CG).   Paul had just noted that what he said was nothing other than those things that the prophets and Moses said would come. With that, he next says, “that passable, the Christ ..read more

Sunday, 7 April 2024   “Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— Acts 26:22   More literally, the words read, “Having obtained, therefore, help from God unto this day, I have stood, witnessing to small and great, saying nothing except what both the prophets and Moses spoke is coming to be” (CG).   Paul just noted that talking about what the Lord expects is the reason why the Jews seized him and tried to kill him. Now, he explains why he has be ..read more

Saturday, 6 April 2024   “For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. Acts 26:21   A more literal translation is, “Because of these, the Jews, me – having seized – being in the temple, endeavored to kill” (CG).   To understand what Paul says in this verse, reviewing the previous two verses will help –   “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repen ..read more

Friday, 5 April 2024   “but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. Acts 26:20   More literally, it reads, “but those in Damascus first and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judea, and the Gentiles – I declared to reconsider and turn to God, practicing works worthy of reconsideration” (CG).   In the previous verse, Paul said to Agrippa that he was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. Having said that, he ..read more

Thursday, 4 April 2024   “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, Acts 26:19   Paul just finished repeating the words of Jesus that he had received during the vision. With that, he next says, “Therefore, King Agrippa.”   Paul once again specifically addresses Agrippa as he did in verse 13. The word translated as “Therefore,” hothen, is derived from two words signifying “where” and “then.” The older English translations of “Wherefore” or “Whereupon” give a good sense of the intent. The meaning Paul is conveying is that he received this vision, and f ..read more

Wednesday, 3 April 2024   “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:18   Though clunky, a literal translation would be, “to open their eyes – the turned – from darkness to light, and the authority of Satan unto God. They received forgiveness of sins and a lot among those having been sanctified – the faith in Me” (CG).   The previous verse is provided with the ..read more

Tuesday, 2 April 2024   ‘I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, Acts 26:17   More literally it reads, “delivering you from the people and the Gentiles to whom now I send you” (CG).   Paul just explained his calling to those of the court in which he stood, noting that he had been called as a minister and a witness concerning his calling. He now continues that thought. Taken together, they read, “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and ..read more

Monday, 1 April 2024   “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. Acts 26:16   In the previous verse, Paul had asked the question, “Who are You, Lord.” Jesus then responded, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Now, with Paul’s mind certainly overwhelmed with that thought, probably in absolute terror concerning what disaster must surely be coming upon him, Jesus continues, saying, “But rise and stand on your feet.”   ..read more