Acts 26:3

Acts 26:3

Paul’s Early Life

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:

2 “I think myself ^ahappy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer ^bfor myself before you concerning all the things of which I am ^caccused by the Jews,

3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.

4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.

5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to ^athe strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Commentaries:

Barnes' Notes

<< Acts 26:2

Acts 26:4 >>

To be expert - To be skilled or well acquainted.

In all customs - Rites, institutions, laws, etc. Everything pertaining to the Mosaic ritual, etc.

And questions - Subjects of debate, and of various opinions. The inquiries which had existed between the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, etc. Paul could say this of Agrippa without falsehood or flattery. Agrippa was a Jew; he had passed much of his time in the kingdom over which he presided; and though he had spent the early part of his life chiefly at Rome, yet it was natural that he should make himself acquainted with the religion of his fathers. Paul did not know how to flatter people, but he was not unwilling to state the truth, and to commend people as far as truth would permit.

Wherefore - On this account; because you are acquainted with those customs. The Romans, who regarded those customs as superstitious, and those questions as matters to be treated with contempt, could not listen to their discussion with patience. Agrippa, who knew their real importance, would be disposed to lend to all inquiries respecting them a patient attention.

**Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Acts 26:3:**

Hebrews 10:7

<< Acts 26:2

Acts 26:4 >>

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