Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

Acts 26:5

Acts 26:5. Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. He speaks here of what was evidently a common knowledge, viz. those details above referred to of his early bringing up. The grave and dignified members of the Sanhedrim, some of whom were doubtless present in that great assembly that morning, could, if they pleased, bow their heads in acquiescence to what he was stating to King Agrippa, but he does not seem to have expected this from them; but, at all events, there was no denial of his words. So he proceeded, ‘After the most straitest sect of our religion;' that is, ‘After the most rigid school of our religion.' Josephus, in his Wars of the Jews, bears witness to the Pharisees' reputation in his days for their religious life and strict observance of the law: ‘The Pharisees are a Jewish Sect who seem to be more religious than others, and who appear to interpret the law more strictly;' and in other places he alludes to them as looked upon as most skilled in the exact application of the law.

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Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

Acts 26:5

Old Testament

New Testament