THOU ART PERMITTED (επιτρεπετα σο). Literally, It is permitted thee. As if Agrippa were master of ceremonies instead of Festus. Agrippa as a king and guest presides at the grand display while Festus has simply introduced Paul.FOR THYSELF (υπερ σεαυτου). Some MSS. have περ (concerning). Paul is... [ Continue Reading ]
I THINK MYSELF HAPPY (ηγημα εμαυτον μακαριον). See on Matthew 5:3 for μακαριος. Blass notes that Paul, like Tertullus, begins with _captatio benevolentiae_, but _absque adulatione_. He says only what he can truthfully speak. For ηγημα see Philippians 3:7; 1 Timothy 6:1 (perfect middle indicative... [ Continue Reading ]
ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THOU ART EXPERT (μαλιστα γνωστην οντα σε). Or like the margin, "because thou art especially expert," according as μαλιστα is construed. Γνωστην is from γινωσκω and means a knower, expert, connoisseur. Plutarch uses it and Deissmann (_Light_, etc., p. 367) restores it in a papyru... [ Continue Reading ]
MY MANNER OF LIFE (την μεν ουν βιωσιν μου). With μεν ουν Paul passes from the _captatio benevolentiae_ (verses Acts 26:1; Acts 26:2) "to the _narratio_ or statement of his case" (Page). Βιωσις is from βιοω (1 Peter 4:2) and that from βιος (course of life). This is the only instance of βιωσις yet... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING KNOWLEDGE OF ME FROM THE FIRST (προγινωσκοντες με ανωθεν). Literally, "knowing me beforehand" (both προ and ανωθεν), from the beginning of Paul's public education in Jerusalem (Knowling). Cf. 2 Peter 3:17.IF THEY BE WILLING TO TESTIFY (εαν θελωσιν μαρτυρειν). Condition of third class (εα... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW (κα νυν). Sharp comparison between his youth and the present.TO BE JUDGED FOR THE HOPE (επ' ελπιδι--κρινομενος). The hope of the resurrection and of the promised Messiah (Acts 13:32). Page calls verses Acts 26:6-8 a parenthesis in the course of Paul's argument by which he shows that his... [ Continue Reading ]
OUR TWELVE TRIBES (το δωδεκαφυλον ημων). A word found only here in N.T. and in Christian and Jewish writings, though δωδεκαμηνον (twelve month) is common in the papyri and δεκαφυλος (ten tribes) in Herodotus. Paul's use of this word for the Jewish people, like James 1:1 (ταις δωδεκα φυλαις, the t... [ Continue Reading ]
INCREDIBLE WITH YOU (απιστον παρ' υμιν). This old word απιστον (α privative and πιστος) means either unfaithful (Luke 12:46), unbelieving (John 20:27), or unbelievable as here). Paul turns suddenly from Agrippa to the audience (παρ' υμιν, plural), most of whom were probably Gentiles and scouted t... [ Continue Reading ]
I VERILY THOUGHT WITH MYSELF (εγω μεν ουν εδοξα εμαυτω). Personal construction instead of the impersonal, a touch of the literary style. Paul's "egoism" is deceived as so often happens.I OUGHT (δειν). Infinitive the usual construction with δοκεω. Necessity and a sense of duty drove Paul on even... [ Continue Reading ]
I BOTH SHUT UP MANY (πολλους τε κατεκλεισα). Effective aorist active of κατακλειω, old word to shut down like a trap door, in N.T. only here and Luke 3:20. Double use of τε (both--and).HAVING RECEIVED AUTHORITY FROM THE CHIEF PRIESTS (την παρα των αρχιερεων εξουσιαν λαβων). "The authority," he... [ Continue Reading ]
PUNISHING (τιμωρων). Old word τιμωρεω originally to render help, to succor (τιμωρος, from τιμη and ουρος), then to avenge (for honour). In N.T. only here and Acts 22:5.I STROVE TO MAKE THEM BLASPHEME (ηναγκαζον βλασφημειν). Conative imperfect active of αναγκαζω, old verb from αναγκη (necessity,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREUPON (εν οις). "In which things" (affairs of persecution), "on which errand." Cf. Acts 24:18. Paul made them leave Palestine (Acts 11:19) and followed them beyond it (Acts 9:2).WITH THE AUTHORITY AND COMMISSION (μετ' εξουσιας κα επιτροπης). Not merely "authority" (εξουσια), but express app... [ Continue Reading ]
AT MIDDAY (ημερας μεσης). Genitive of time and idiomatic use of μεσος, in the middle of the day, more vivid than μεσημβριαν (Acts 22:6).ABOVE THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE SUN (υπερ την λαμπροτητα του ηλιου). Here alone not in Acts 26:9; Acts 26:22, though implied in Acts 9:3; Acts 22:6, "indicating the... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN WE WERE ALL FALLEN (παντων καταπεσοντων ημων). Genitive absolute with second aorist active participle of καταπιπτω. In the Hebrew language (τη Εβραιδ διαλεκτω). Natural addition here, for Paul is speaking in Greek, not Aramaic as in Acts 22:2.IT IS HARD FOR THEE TO KICK AGAINST THE GOAD (σκ... [ Continue Reading ]
ARISE AND STAND (αναστηθ κα στηθ). "Emphatic assonance" (Page). Second aorist active imperative of compound verb (ανιστημ) and simplex (ιστημ). "Stand up and take a stand."HAVE I APPEARED UNTO THEE (ωφθην σο). First aorist passive indicative of οραω. See on Luke 22:43.TO APPOINT THEE (προχειρ... [ Continue Reading ]
DELIVERING THEE (εξαιρουμενος σε). Present middle participle of εξαιρεω, old verb and usually so rendered, but the old Greek also uses it for "choose" as also in LXX (Isaiah 48:10). The papyri give examples of both meanings and either makes good sense here. God was continually rescuing Paul "out... [ Continue Reading ]
TO OPEN (ανοιξα). First aorist active infinitive of purpose.THAT THEY MAY TURN (του επιστρεψα). Another infinitive of purpose first aorist active (genitive case and articular), epexegetic to ανοιξα.THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE (του λαβειν). Another genitive articular infinitive of purpose subordinat... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE (οθεν). This relatival adverb (cf. Acts 14:26; Acts 28:13) gathers up all that Paul has said.I WAS NOT DISOBEDIENT (ουκ εγενομην απειθης). Litotes again, "I did not become (second aorist middle indicative of γινομα) disobedient" (απειθης, old word already in Luke 1:17).UNTO THE HEAVEN... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT DECLARED (αλλα απηγγελλον). Imperfect active of απαγγελλω, repeatedly.THROUGHOUT ALL THE COUNTRY OF JUDEA (πασαν τε την χωραν της Ιουδαιας). The accusative here in the midst of the datives (τοις εν Δαμασκωι, Ιεροσολυμοισ, τοις εθνεσιν) seems strange and Page feels certain that εις should be... [ Continue Reading ]
ASSAYED TO KILL ME (επειρωντο διαχειρισασθα). Conative imperfect middle of πειραω, the old form of the later _Koine_ πειραζω so common in the _Koine_, but in N.T. here only. Some MSS. have it in Acts 9:26; Hebrews 4:15. The old verb διαχειριζω, to take in hand, middle to lay hands on, to slay, oc... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVING THEREFORE OBTAINED (ουν τυχων). Second aorist active participle of old verb τυγχανω.THE HELP THAT IS FROM GOD (επικουριας της απο του θεου). Old word from επικουρεω, to aid, and that from επικουρος, ally, assister. Only here in N.T. God is Paul's ally. All of the plots of the Jews agains... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW THAT THE CHRIST MUST SUFFER (ε παθητος ο Χριστος). Literally, "if the Messiah is subject to suffering." Ε can here mean "whether" as in Hebrews 7:15. This use of a verbal in -τος for capability or possibility occurs in the N.T. alone in παθητος (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 157). This word occurs... [ Continue Reading ]
AS HE THUS MADE HIS DEFENCE (ταυτα αυτου απολογουμενου). Genitive absolute again with present middle participle. Paul was still speaking when Festus interrupted him in great excitement.WITH A LOUD VOICE (μεγαλη τη φωνη). Associative instrumental case showing manner (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 530... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SPEAK FORTH (αλλα αποφθεγγομα). Verb for dignified and elevated discourse, a word from the literary _Koine_, not the vernacular. In N.T. only here and Acts 2:4; Acts 2:14 which see. It occurs three times in Vettius Valens in a "mantic" sense. Paul was not ruffled by the rude and excited inter... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE KING KNOWETH OF THESE THINGS (επιστατα γαρ περ τουτων ο βασιλευς). Επιστατα (present middle probably Ionic form of εφιστημ) is a literary word and suits well here (cf. Acts 24:10).FREELY (παρρησιαζομενος). Present middle participle, speaking fully, making a clean breast of it. From παρρ... [ Continue Reading ]
I KNOW THAT THOU BELIEVEST (οιδα οτ πιστευεις). Paul had "cornered" Agrippa by this direct challenge. As the Jew in charge of the temple he was bound to confess his faith in the prophets. But Paul had interpreted the prophets about the Messiah in a way that fell in with his claim that Jesus was t... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH BUT LITTLE PERSUASION THOU WOULDEST FAIN MAKE ME A CHRISTIAN (εν ολιγω με πειθεις Χριστιανον ποιησα). The Authorized rendering is impossible: "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Εν ολιγω does not mean "almost." That would require ολιγου, παρ' ολιγον, or δε ολιγου. It is not clear,... [ Continue Reading ]
I WOULD TO GOD (ευξαιμην αν τω θεω). Conclusion of fourth-class condition (optative with αν), undetermined with less likelihood, the so-called potential optative (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1021). Polite and courteous wish (first aorist middle optative of ευχομα).WHETHER WITH LITTLE OR WITH MUCH... [ Continue Reading ]
ROSE UP (ανεστη). Second aorist active of ανιστημ (intransitive), agreeing only with "the king" (ο βασιλευς). The entertainment was over.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY SPAKE ONE TO ANOTHER (ελαλουν προς αλληλους). Imperfect active, describing the eager conversation of the dignitaries about Paul's wonderful speech.NOTHING WORTHY OF DEATH OR BONDS (ουδεν θανατου η δεσμων αξιον). This is the unanimous conclusion of all these dignitaries (Romans, Jews, Greek... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS MAN MIGHT HAVE BEEN SET AT LIBERTY (Απολελυσθα εδυνατο ο ανθρωπος ουτος). Conclusion of the second class condition (determined as unfulfilled) without αν as in Acts 24:19 because of εδυνατο (verb of possibility, Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1014). Note perfect passive infinitive απολελυσθα from... [ Continue Reading ]