Study Desk

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself."^(a) So Paul motioned with his hand^(b) and began his defense:

"King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you^(c) today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews,^(d)

and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs^(e) and controversies.^(f) Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

"The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child,^(g) from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem.

They have known me for a long time^(h) and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect⁽ⁱ⁾ of our religion, living as a Pharisee.^(j)

And now it is because of my hope^(k) in what God has promised our ancestors^(l) that I am on trial today.

This is the promise our twelve tribes^(m) are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night.⁽ⁿ⁾ King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.^(o)

Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?^(p)

"I too was convinced^(q) that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose^(r) the name of Jesus of Nazareth.^(s)

And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord's people^(t) in prison,^(u) and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.^(v)

Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished,^(w) and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

"On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.

About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.

We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice^(x) saying to me in Aramaic,^[a](y) ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

"Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?' " ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied.

‘Now get up and stand on your feet.^(z) I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.^(aa)

I will rescue you^(ab) from your own people and from the Gentiles.^(ac) I am sending you to them

to open their eyes^(ad) and turn them from darkness to light,^(ae) and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins^(af) and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'^(ag)

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient^(ah) to the vision from heaven.

First to those in Damascus,^(ai) then to those in Jerusalem^(aj) and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles,^(ak) I preached that they should repent^(al) and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.^(am)

That is why some Jews seized me^(an) in the temple courts and tried to kill me.^(ao)

But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen^(ap)—

that the Messiah would suffer^(aq) and, as the first to rise from the dead,^(ar) would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles."^(as)

At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind,^(at) Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning^(au) is driving you insane."

"I am not insane, most excellent^(av) Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.

The king is familiar with these things,^(aw) and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"^(ax)

Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."^(ay)

The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice^(az) and those sitting with them.

After they left the room, they began saying to one another, "This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment."^(ba)

Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free^(bb) if he had not appealed to Caesar."^(bc)