Acts 26:1-32

Defence before Agrippa

1-32. St. Paul before Agrippa. This speech, though in form a defence to the Jews, is really intended by St. Luke to be St. Paul's defence to the world—an apology for his whole life and work.

Analysis. Opening compliment to Agrippa (Acts 26:2); the Apostle's orthodox Pharisaic education (Acts 26:4); he is really called in question because he believes in the hope of all orthodox Jews, the coming of the Messiah, and the Resurrection (Acts 26:6); his persecution of the Church in the time of his ignorance (Acts 26:9); his conversion and divine commission to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 26:12); his subsequent conduct the result of a direct divine command (Acts 26:19); his labours among Jews and Gentiles (Acts 26:20); the hostility of the Jews (Acts 26:21); the conclusion, emphasising the fact that Christianity is nothing but orthodox Judaism properly understood. Moses and the prophets taught, (1) that the Messiah should come; (2) that He should suffer; (3) that He should rise again from the dead, the first-fruits of them that sleep; (4) that in the Messiah's days the religion of Israel would be taught to the Gentiles. This is precisely what St. Paul preaches, and therefore he claims acquittal from Agrippa, and from all orthodox Jews (Acts 26:22; Acts 26:27).