Paul’s Defense before Agrippa
Acts 25:13 – 26:32
Acts 25:13 – 26:32
Acts 25:13 – 26:32. In this section, the governor Festus, unable to determine any charge against Paul, brings his case before King Agrippa who happened to be visiting. This lead to a formal hearing in which Paul was permitted to present his defense. Paul recounted his life as a Pharisee, his conversion through the appearance of the risen Christ, and his commission to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins to both Jews and Gentiles according to the Scriptures. In doing so he bore clear testimony to Christ before rulers, partially fulfilling the Lord’s word that he would testify before kings (Acts 9:15). In the end, Festus dismissed the message as madness and Agrippa evaded its force with a joke, yet both acknowledged Paul’s innocence. But because he appealed to Caesar, he had to be sent to Rome.
King Agrippa Visits Festus (25:13-22)
13 And when certain days had elapsed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to salute Festus. 14 And when they had spent many days there, Festus laid before the king the matters relating to Paul, saying, There is a certain man left prisoner by Felix, 15 concerning whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid informations, requiring judgment against him: 16 to whom I answered, It is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and he have got opportunity of defence touching the charge. 17 When therefore they had come together here, without putting it off, I sat the next day on the judgment-seat and commanded the man to be brought: 18 concerning whom the accusers, standing up, brought no such accusation of guilt as “I” supposed; 19 but had against him certain questions of their own system of worship, and concerning a certain Jesus who is dead, whom Paul affirmed to be living. 20 And as I myself was at a loss as to an inquiry into these things, I said, Was he willing to go to Jerusalem and there to be judged concerning these things? 21 But Paul having appealed to be kept for the cognisance of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I shall send him to Caesar. 22 And Agrippa said to Festus, I myself also would desire to hear the man. To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
vv.13-22 Festus Relates the Matter of Paul to Agrippa. King Agrippa and Bernice visited Festus. Herod Agrippa II was the son of Herod Agrippa I, the ruler who made the first martyr by executing the apostle James (Acts 12). He was the great-grandson of Herod the Great. Berenice of Cilicia (Bernice) was Agrippa II’s sister. Agrippa had adopted Judaism for political reasons and maintained relations with Rome to secure his position. Knowing Agrippa was familiar with Jewish matters, Festus explained Paul’s case to him. Festus described the charges as questions concerning the Jews’ religion and “one Jesus dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” Festus betrays his spiritual blindness in this statement. The resurrection of Christ, which is central to the gospel, he reduced to a religious dispute. Festus regarded it as superstition and was perplexed. Since he had nothing certain to write to Caesar, Festus welcomed Agrippa’s interest. Agrippa expressed his desire to hear Paul, and a hearing was arranged.
Festus Introduces Paul to Agrippa (25:23-27)
23 On the morrow therefore, Agrippa being come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and having entered into the hall of audience, with the chiliarchs and the men of distinction of the city, and Festus having given command, Paul was brought. 24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye see this person, concerning whom all the multitude of the Jews applied to me both in Jerusalem and here, crying out against him that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I, having found that he had done nothing worthy of death, and this man himself having appealed to Augustus, I have decided to send him; 26 concerning whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. Wherefore I have brought him before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, so that an examination having been gone into I may have something to write: 27 for it seems to me senseless, sending a prisoner, not also to signify the charges against him.
vv.23-27 Festus Introduces Paul to Agrippa. The next day, Agrippa and Bernice entered the hall with great pomp, accompanied by commanders and prominent men. Paul, the prisoner, was brought in before this distinguished assembly. Festus explained that the Jews had demanded Paul’s death, yet he had found nothing worthy of it. Because of the appeal to Caesar, he must send him to Rome, but he had no definite charge to report. The whole next chapter unfolds because the governor couldn’t think of what to say! He hoped that Agrippa’s examination would provide something substantial to write. While Festus was looking for administrative clarity, the real outcome would be further testimony to Christ before higher authorities (King Agrippa). The stage is set for Paul’s defense in the next chapter.
Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa (26:1-23)
CHAPTER 26
1 And Agrippa said to Paul, It is permitted thee to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching out his hand answered in his defence:
v.1 Paul Permitted to Speak. When Paul is brought before Agrippa, the king permitted him the liberty of speaking freely. Paul used this liberty to lay out the whole matter, from his youth to his present incarceration, knowing that Agrippa was familiar with the Old Testament and customs of the Jews.
2 I count myself happy, king Agrippa, in having to answer to-day before thee concerning all of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because thou art acquainted with all the customs and questions which are among the Jews; wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life then from my youth, which from its commencement was passed among my nation in Jerusalem, know all the Jews, 5 who knew me before from the outset of my life, if they would bear witness, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand to be judged because of the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our whole twelve tribes serving incessantly day and night hope to arrive; about which hope, O king, I am accused of the Jews. 8 Why should it be judged a thing incredible in your sight if God raises the dead? 9 “I” indeed myself thought that I ought to do much against the name of Jesus the Nazaraean. 10 Which also I did in Jerusalem, and myself shut up in prisons many of the saints, having received the authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my vote. 11 And often punishing them in all the synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme. And, being exceedingly furious against them, I persecuted them even to cities out of our own land.
vv.2-11 Paul’s Background Up To Conversion. Paul began by addressing the king respectfully, noting Agrippa’s knowledge of Jewish customs and controversies. He recounts his early life as a Pharisee, strictly devoted to the Jewish faith, and explains that he was now on trial because of the hope of the promise God made to the fathers. “Why should it be judged a thing incredible in your sight if God raises the dead?” The Old Testament assures the believer of resurrection, but Christianity is founded On the finished work of Christ and His bodily resurrection from the dead. Paul was not teaching or preaching anything that was inconsistent with the Old Testament. He then described his former zeal against Christianity, admitting that he once persecuted believers, imprisoned them, and even cast his vote (in the council, I presume) against them when they were put to death. He also used force to get the believers to blaspheme, or speak injuriously against God. This was to show how the change in his life was obviously divine intervention!
12 And when, engaged in this, I was journeying to Damascus, with authority and power from the chief priests, 13 at mid-day, on the way, I saw, O king, a light above the brightness of the sun, shining from heaven round about me and those who were journeying with me. 14 And, when we were all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against goads. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, “I” am Jesus whom “thou” persecutest: 16 but rise up and stand on thy feet; for, for this purpose have I appeared to thee, to appoint thee to be a servant and a witness both of what thou hast seen, and of what I shall appear to thee in, 17 taking thee out from among the people, and the nations, to whom “I” send thee, 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.
vv.12-18 Paul’s Conversion on the Road to Damascus. Paul recounted his conversion on the road to Damascus, explaining how a bright light from heaven stopped him and those traveling with him. The risen Lord Jesus spoke to him in the Hebrew, revealing that in persecuting the believers he had been persecuting Christ Himself. The phrase “it is hard for thee to kick against goads” is properly found here, and not in Acts 9. The Lord then appointed Paul as a servant and witness, sending him to the Gentiles “To open their eyes, [new birth, Eph. 2:1] and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, [salvation, Rom. 1:16] that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me [spiritual inheritance, Eph. 1:3]”. This details was not mentioned in the earlier accounts of Paul’s conversion. All this is to show that Paul was not a revolutionary, but the God of Israel had revealed this to him, and sent him with a ministry toward the Gentiles.
19 Whereupon, king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision; 20 but have, first to those both in Damascus and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judaea, and to the nations, announced that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. 21 On account of these things the Jews, having seized me in the temple, attempted to lay hands on and destroy me. 22 Having therefore met with the help which is from God, I have stood firm unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing else than those things which both the prophets and Moses have said should happen, 23 namely, whether Christ should suffer; whether he first, through resurrection of the dead, should announce light both to the people and to the nations.
vv.19-23 Paul’s History to the Imprisonment. Paul then gave an explanation of his history to the present, and as to why he was imprisoned. He was “not disobedient to the heavenly vision” but began preaching first in Damascus, then in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, and to the Gentiles. How could the Jews find fault with this, if he was merely obeying God? His message called all to repent, turn to God, and demonstrate their repentance by “works worthy of repentance”. Because of this testimony the Jews seized him in the temple and attempted to kill him. In summary, it was God’s help that enabled Paul to continue bearing witness. He was not saying anything contrary to what the prophets and Moses had foretold: that the Christ would suffer, rise from the dead, and proclaim light to both Jews and Gentiles.
Interruption and Verdict (26:24-32)
24 And as he answered for his defence with these things, Festus says with a loud voice, Thou art mad, Paul; much learning turns thee to madness. 25 But Paul said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but utter words of truth and soberness; 26 for the king is informed about these things, to whom also I speak with all freedom. For I am persuaded that of these things nothing is hidden from him; for this was not done in a corner.
vv.24-26 Paul’s Exchange with Festus. As Paul spoke in his defense, Festus interrupted loudly, saying that Paul was out of his mind because of his great learning. Was Festus saying this to improve his appearance to Agrippa? It is possible. Paul calmly and respectfully replied, stating that his words were true and reasonable, not madness. He then invoked King Agrippa, who he believed was more or less aware of these things, because these events were well known and “not done in a corner”. How responsible the king was!
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, both in little and in much, that not only thou, but all who have heard me this day, should become such as “I” also am, except these bonds.
vv.27-29 Paul’s Exchange with Agrippa. Paul turned directly to Agrippa, who well knew Paul was not mad, and addressed his conscience asking, “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.” Confronted with the force of the argument from the Scriptures and the facts of the gospel, Agrippa avoided a direct answer. He attempted to dismiss the matter with a jest, saying in effect that Paul was nearly persuading him to become a Christian. The remark was not a serious confession but an effort to evade the conclusion Paul had pressed upon him. Paul nevertheless replied sincerely, expressing his desire that Agrippa and all who hear him might share the faith and salvation he possessed, though not his chains.1
30 And the king stood up, and the governor and Bernice, and those who sat with them, 31 and having gone apart, they spoke to one another saying, This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds. 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been let go if he had not appealed to Caesar.
vv.30-32 The Verdict of Agrippa. With Paul’s defense finished, King Agrippa rose, signaling the close of the hearing, and the others withdrew with him. Were any in the audience converted? We do not know, although Christ was clearly and faithfully presented by Paul the prisoner. In their private discussion, Agrippa and Festus agreed that Paul had done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment and could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar. Since the appeal had been made, however, the case was now beyond their authority, and Paul must be sent to Rome.