Paul's Defense Before Agrippa

Acts 26

1 So l Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:

2 "I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today m against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the n customs and o controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 p "My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among q my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that r according to the strictest s party of our t religion I have lived as u a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in v the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 w to which x our twelve tribes hope to y attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope z I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought a incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

9 b "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of c Jesus of Nazareth. 10 d And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority e from the chief priests, but f when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And g I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them h blaspheme, and i in raging fury against them I j persecuted them even to foreign cities.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 9:15
    But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 25:7
    When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.
    Acts 25:19
    Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
    Acts 26:7
    To which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
  3. Cross References
    Acts 6:14
    For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.
  4. Cross References
    Acts 18:15
    But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.
  5. Cross References
    Galatians 1:13
    For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 24:17
    Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.
    Acts 28:19
    But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar - though I had no charge to bring against my nation.
  7. Cross References
    Acts 22:3
    I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
  8. Cross References
    Acts 24:5
    For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
  9. Cross References
    James 1:26 - 27
    If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 23:6
    Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 13:32
    And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 2:33
    Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.
    Hebrews 10:36
    For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
    Hebrews 11:13
    These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
    Hebrews 11:39
    And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised.
  13. Cross References
    Matthew 19:28
    Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
    Luke 22:30
    That you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
    James 1:1
    James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
    Revelation 21:12
    It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed -
    Ezra 6:17
    They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
  14. Cross References
    Philippians 3:11
    That by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
  15. Cross References
    Acts 26:2
    I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews.
  16. Cross References
    Acts 17:3
    Explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.
    1 Corinthians 15:12
    Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
  17. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:13
    Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief.
    John 16:2
    They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.
    Acts 3:17
    And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 22:8
    And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 8:3
    But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
  20. Cross References
    Acts 26:12
    In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.
    Acts 9:1 - 2
    But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
    Acts 9:14
    And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.
    Acts 9:21
    And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?
    Acts 22:4 - 5
    I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women.
  21. Cross References
    Acts 22:20
    And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.
  22. Cross References
    Acts 22:19
    And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.
  23. Cross References
    Acts 13:45
    But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.
  24. Cross References
    Acts 9:1
    But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
  25. Cross References
    Acts 22:5
    As the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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