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Read the Bible

The NET Bible®

Acts 26:5

They know, because they have known me from time past, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Court;   Defense;   Obedience;   Paul;   Pharisees;   Zeal, Religious;   Scofield Reference Index - Foreknowledge;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Jews, the;   Pharisees, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Pharisees;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Pharisees;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Paul the Apostle;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ordination;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Pharisees;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Religion;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Acts;   Heresy;   Oration, Orator;   Paul;   Preaching in the Bible;   Religion;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Caesarea;   Damascus;   Heresy;   Nero;   Paul the Apostle;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Damascus, Damascenes;   Foreknowledge;   Heresy ;   Herod;   Libertines;   Paul;   Perfect Perfection;   Religion;   Religion (2);   Reverence;   Unity (2);   Woe;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Heresy, Heretic;   Herod, Family of;   Religion, Religious;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Festus;   Heresy;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Pharisees;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Heresy;   Religion;   Sect;   Strait;  

Devotionals:

- Every Day Light - Devotion for December 15;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.
King James Version (1611)
Which knew me from the beginning, (if they would testifie) that after the most straitest sect of our religion, I liued a Pharisee.
King James Version
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
English Standard Version
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 American Standard Bible
since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
New Century Version
They have known me for a long time. If they want to, they can tell you that I was a good Pharisee. And the Pharisees obey the laws of my tradition more carefully than any other group.
Amplified Bible
"They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify to it, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I have lived as a Pharisee.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
Legacy Standard Bible
since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
Berean Standard Bible
They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.
Complete Jewish Bible
They have known me for a long time; and if they are willing, they can testify that I have followed the strictest party in our religion — that is, I have lived as a Parush.
Darby Translation
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.
Easy-to-Read Version
These Jews have known me for a long time. If they want to, they can tell you that I was a good Pharisee. And the Pharisees obey the laws of the Jewish religion more carefully than any other group.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Which knewe me heretofore, euen from my elders (if they would testifie) that after the most straite sect of our religion I liued a Pharise.
George Lamsa Translation
For they have been acquainted with me a long time, and know that I was brought up with the excellent doctrine of the Phar''i-sees.
Good News Translation
They have always known, if they are willing to testify, that from the very first I have lived as a member of the strictest party of our religion, the Pharisees.
Lexham English Bible
having known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that in accordance with the strictest party of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.
Literal Translation
who before knew me from the first, if they will testify, that according to the most exact sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
American Standard Version
having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Bible in Basic English
And they are able to say, if they would give witness, that I was living as a Pharisee, in that division of our religion which is most regular in the keeping of the law.
Hebrew Names Version
having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Parush.
International Standard Version
They have known for a long time, if they would but testify to it, that I lived as a Pharisee by the standard of the strictest sect of our religion.Acts 22:3; 23:6; Philippians 3:5;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
because they of a long time were assured of me, and they know that in the high doctrine of the Pharishee I lived.
Murdock Translation
For they have long been persuaded of me, and have known, that I lived in the princely doctrine of the Pharisees.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Which knewe me from the beginning, (yf they woulde testifie) that after the most straytest sect of our religion, I lyued a pharisee.
English Revised Version
having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, how that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
World English Bible
having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
all the Jews know, Who knew me from the first, (if they would testify) that I lived a Pharisee, after the strictest sect of our religion.
Weymouth's New Testament
For they all know me of old--if they would but testify to the fact--how, being an adherent of the strictest sect of our religion, my life was that of a Pharisee.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
if thei wolen bere witnessing, that bi the moost certeyn sect of oure religioun, Y lyuede a Farisee.
Update Bible Version
having knowledge of me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Webster's Bible Translation
Who knew me from the beginning, (if they would testify) that after the strictest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.
New King James Version
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.
New Living Translation
If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion.
New Life Bible
If they would tell what they know, they would say that I lived the life of a proud religious law-keeper. I was in the group of proud religious law-keepers who tried to obey every law.
New Revised Standard
They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I have belonged to the strictest sect of our religion and lived as a Pharisee.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
inasmuch as they were aforetime observing me, from the outset, - if they please to bear witness, - that, according to the strictest sect of our own religion, I lived, a Pharisee.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony) that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived, a Pharisee.
Revised Standard Version
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.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
which knew me from ye beginnynge yf they wolde testifie it. For after the most straytest secte of oure laye lyved I a pharisaye.
Young's Literal Translation
knowing me before from the first, (if they may be willing to testify,) that after the most exact sect of our worship, I lived a Pharisee;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
which knewe me afore at the first, yf they wolde testifye, for after the most strayte secte of oure Iewysh lawe, I lyued a Pharise.
Mace New Testament (1729)
they can testify, if they will, that I early profess'd myself a Pharisee, a member of the most rigorous sect of our religion:
Simplified Cowboy Version
I am no stranger to anyone. They all know I followed the Code to a T. I am a Pharisee through and through.

Contextual Overview

1 So Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul held out his hand and began his defense: 2 "Regarding all the things I have been accused of by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today, 3 because you are especially familiar with all the customs and controversial issues of the Jews. Therefore I ask you to listen to me patiently. 4 Now all the Jews know the way I lived from my youth, spending my life from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 They know, because they have known me from time past, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors, 7 a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve God night and day. Concerning this hope the Jews are accusing me, Your Majesty! 8 Why do you people think it is unbelievable that God raises the dead? 9 Of course, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 And that is what I did in Jerusalem: Not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons by the authority I received from the chief priests, but I also cast my vote against them when they were sentenced to death.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

if: Acts 22:5

that: Acts 23:6, Philippians 3:5, Philippians 3:6

sect: Acts 24:5, Acts 24:14

Reciprocal: Matthew 3:7 - the Pharisees Luke 18:10 - a Pharisee John 1:24 - were of Acts 15:5 - certain Acts 22:3 - taught Acts 28:22 - sect 1 Corinthians 11:19 - heresies Galatians 1:13 - ye Galatians 1:14 - being

Cross-References

Genesis 12:4
So Abram left, just as the Lord had told him to do, and Lot went with him. (Now Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Haran.)
Genesis 17:23
Abraham took his son Ishmael and every male in his household (whether born in his house or bought with money) and circumcised them on that very same day, just as God had told him to do.
Genesis 18:19
I have chosen him so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then the Lord will give to Abraham what he promised him."
Genesis 22:16
and said, "‘I solemnly swear by my own name,' decrees the Lord , ‘that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,
Genesis 22:18
Because you have obeyed me, all the nations of the earth will pronounce blessings on one another using the name of your descendants.'"
Genesis 26:1
There was a famine in the land, subsequent to the earlier famine that occurred in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar.
Genesis 26:2
The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; settle down in the land that I will point out to you.
Genesis 26:6
So Isaac settled in Gerar.
Matthew 5:19
So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 7:24
"Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Which knew me from the beginning,.... From his youth, from his first coming to Jerusalem:

if they would testify; what they know, and speak out the truth of things, they must say,

that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee; there were three sects of religion among the Jews, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes; the first of these was the most exact, and came nearest to the truth of doctrine, and was the strictest as to outward holiness of life and conversation, and of this sect the apostle was; and according to it he lived, and that in such a manner, as not to be charged with any notorious crime; and indeed in his own, and very likely in the opinion of others, he was then blameless. :-.

(Essenes: A Jewish sect, who, according to the description of Josephus, combine the ascetic virtues of the Pythagoreans and the Stoics with a spiritual knowledge of the divine law. It seems probable that the same name signifies "seer", or "the silent, the mysterious". As a sect the Essenes were distinguished by an aspiration after the ideal purity rather than by any special code of doctrines. There were isolated communities of the Essenes, which were regulated by strict rules, and analogous to those of the monastic institutions of a later date. All things were held in common, without distinction of property; and special provision was made for the relief of the poor. Self-denial, temperance and labour--especially agricultural--were the marks of the outward life of the Essenes; purity and divine communication the objects of aspiration. Slavery, war and commerce were alike forbidden. Their best known settlements were on the north west shore of the Dead Sea. J.B. Smith one volume Bible Dictionary.)

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Which knew me - Who were well acquainted with me.

From the beginning - ἄνωθεν anōthen. Formerly; 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 Philippians 3:4-6 that he had enjoyed all the advantages of birth and training in the Jewish religion, and that he had early distinguished himself by his observance of its rites and customs.

Sect - Division or party.

I lived a Pharisee - I lived in accordance with the rules and doctrines of the Pharisees. See the notes on Matthew 3:7. The reasons why Paul here refers to his early life are:

(1) As he had lived during the early period of his life without crime; as his principles had been settled by the instruction of the most able of their teachers, it was to be presumed that his subsequent life had been of a similar character.

(2) As he, at that period of his life, evinced the utmost zeal for the laws and customs of his country, it was to be presumed that he would not be found opposing or reviling them at any subsequent period. From the strictness and conscientiousness of his past life, he supposed that Agrippa might argue favorably respecting his subsequent conduct. A virtuous and religious course in early life is usually a sure pledge of virtue and integrity in subsequent years.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 26:5. After 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.


 
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