Paul’s Testimony to Agrippa 1 And Agrippa was saying to Paul, “It is permitted you to speak for yourself.” Then Paul, having stretched out the hand, was presenting a defence:
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Agrippa said to Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself." From his great desire to hear, the king permits him to speak. But Paul speaks out forthwith with boldness, not flattering, but for this reason saying that he is happy, namely, because Agrippa knew all.
Cassiodorus · AD 585 "Then Agrippa said to Paul." Then Agrippa gave Paul permission to speak for himself. Paul first praised the judge, then gave a truthful summary of all that had happened to him from the beginning, relating how he had persecuted the Christian people, what he had later heard on his way to Damascus when he was surround by the light of the Lord, and how he had, as was unavoidable, o…
2 “Concerning all of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I have esteemed myself fortunate, being about to present a defence before you today,
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself. I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews.
Bede · AD 735 Of all the things I am accused of by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate before you, since you are to defend me today. Another Edition translated this verse thusly: I consider myself fortunate, starting today to render a defense before you.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 Paul said: "I consider myself fortunate that today I can defend myself before you in everything of which the Jews accuse me." He spoke not with flattery (God forbid!), but wishing to bring benefit to the king.
3 especially you being acquainted with all the customs and also the controversies of the Jews. Therefore I implore you to hear me patiently.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "All the more so, since you know all the customs and disputed opinions of the Jews." Knowing this, Paul should have been afraid of being judged by a man who knows everything; but not to reject such a judge, who knows in detail everything that happened, means having a clear conscience.
4 My manner of life then, which is from youth, having been from its beginning among my nation and also in Jerusalem, all the Jews know,
John Chrysostom · AD 407 They accuse me of sedition, accuse me of heresy, accuse me that I have profaned the temple: "touching all these things I answer for myself:" now that these are not things in accordance with my ways, my accusers themselves are witnesses: "my manner of life from my youth," etc.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "All the Jews know; they have known about me for a long time." This means: the Jews know the truth, but do not want to testify to it, and willfully lie and sin against him.
5 knowing me from the first, if they may be willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our own religion I lived as a Pharisee.
Bede · AD 735 For according to the most accurate sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. For "sect," in Greek it has "heresy." Whence it is proved that at that time even a good sect was called by this term among the Greeks, which now among us is accustomed to have only a bad sense.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest teaching of our religion." It is remarkable that the Pharisees too were heretics, although they studied and understood the Scriptures better than all other Jewish sects. They understood better, but not truly, because they did not possess a true understanding of the Scriptures.
6 And now I have stood being judged for the hope of the promise having been made by God to our fathers,
Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius · AD 325 Nor is it greatly to be wondered at if these things are done towards men, since for the same cause the people who were placed in hope, and not ignorant of God, rose up against God Himself; and the same necessity follows the righteous which attacked the Author of righteousness Himself.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
Oecumenius · AD 550 "Why is it considered incredible among you if God raises the dead?" He proposes two lines of argument about the resurrection: one derived from the prophets, and he does not dismiss the prophet, but rather the glory of the Jews, and another stronger one drawn from events, that Christ was reported to him as having risen from the dead.
7 to which our twelve tribes, serving in earnestness night and day, hope to attain; concerning which hope I am accused by Jews, O king.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Then too, with high commendation of the Jews, he says, "Night and day," says he, "serving God look to attain unto." So that even if I had not been of unblemished life, it is not for this doctrine that I ought to be brought to trial:-"for which hope, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews." And then another argument "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God…
8 Why is it judged incredible by you if God raises the dead?
9 I myself therefore indeed thought in myself that I needed to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth,
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "I indeed thought with myself," that is, I determined, "to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth." I was not one of Christ's disciples: among those who fought against Him, was I.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 Paul says "indeed, I too thought," for it seemed to him that this is how it should have been.
10 which also I did in Jerusalem; and I myself locked up many of the saints in prisons, having received the authority from the chief priests; and when they were being executed, I cast a vote against them.
Bede · AD 735 And when they were to be killed, I delivered the sentence. Another Edition says, And I delivered the sentence on how they were to be killed, that is, I myself gave the sentence on their deaths.
11 And punishing them often in all the synagogues, I was compelling them to blaspheme; and being excessively furious against them, I was persecuting them as far as even to foreign cities.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Many times I punished them." Incited by the devil and demons, he says, many, like madmen, committed many absurdities; but I, perhaps, was more frenzied than they, since I was doing evil of my own will.
12 During which, journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission which is of the chief priests,
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Then again the witnesses, those who were with him: next he shows what just cause he had to be persuaded, both from the light, and from the prophets, and from the results, and from the things which have now taken place. See accordingly, how both from the prophets, and from these particulars, he confirms the proof to them.
13 at midday on the road I saw, O king, a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun, having shone around me and those journeying with me.
Oecumenius · AD 550 "brighter than the sun." He then likens it to that which among sensible things is most luminous; since that light could not be equated with the light of Jesus, which is far greater, he speaks in this way, so that human hearing may receive it, and says that that light surpasses the brilliance of the sun. [AMMONIUS]
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 Reporting about a radiance brighter than sensible light and considering it impossible to liken the light of Jesus to sunlight, Paul, in order to convey the phenomenon in a way that human hearing can receive, says: this light far surpasses sunlight.
14 And when we were all falling down to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
Ignatius of Antioch · AD 108 For I have heard some saying, If I do not find the Gospel in the archives, I will not believe it. To such persons I say that my archives are Jesus Christ, to disobey whom is manifest destruction. My authentic archives are His cross, and death, and resurrection, and the faith which bears on these things, by which I desire, through your prayers, to be justified.
Apostolic Constitutions · AD 380 For you know undoubtedly that those that are by us named bishops, and presbyters, and deacons, were made by prayer, and by the laying on of hands; and that by the difference of their names is showed the difference of their employments.
15 And I myself said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I myself am Jesus whom you yourself are persecuting.
16 But rise up and stand on your feet; for to this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and a witness both of that which you have seen of Me and of the things in which I will appear to you,
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Since he has mentioned the vision, he then without fear goes on to speak also of the good wrought by it. "To turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God. For to this end have I appeared unto thee," not to punish, but to make thee an Apostle.
17 delivering you out from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I myself am sending you,
Clement of Alexandria · AD 215 "Wherefore, then, I send thee to the Gentiles," it is said, "to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith which is in Me." Such, then, are the eyes of the blind which are opened.
18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith which is in Me.’
Tertullian · AD 220 Whence, again, David said that "the Lord would reign from the tree: " for elsewhere, too, the prophet predicts the fruit of this "tree," saying "The earth hath given her blessings," -of course that virgin-earth, not yet irrigated with rains, nor fertilized by showers, out of which man was of yore first formed, out of which now Christ through the flesh has been born of a virgin;…
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Observe how mildly he discourses-God, he says, said this to me, "that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are-sanctified by faith that is in Me." By these things, says he, I was persuaded, by this vision He drew me to Himself, and so persuaded me, that I made no delay.
19 So then, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." I therefore, who instructed others also concerning the most excellent way of living, how should I myself…
Cassiodorus · AD 585 "Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not incredulous to the heavenly vision." As Paul spoke the above-mentioned things, Festus, incredulous, said: "Paul, thou art beside thyself, and much reading confuseth thy mind." Paul, retaining his gravity, replied that he was not beside himself, but had spoken words of truth and soberness; indeed, king Agrippa too must know about those thing…
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 I was convinced through this vision, says Paul. By this vision the Lord converted me and thus persuaded me not to delay the matter. This vision is a pure contemplation, surpassing human powers; it cannot be seen by a carnal man unless his eyes are opened by a superhuman power.
20 but to those in Damascus first, and also in Jerusalem and all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, I was declaring that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
21 On account of these things the Jews, having seized me being in the temple, were attempting to kill me.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come." See how free from flattery his speech is, and how he ascribes the whole to God.
22 Having obtained therefore the help which is from God, unto this day I have stood bearing witness both to small and to great, saying nothing other than what both the prophets said was about to happen, and Moses:
Tertullian · AD 220 In like manner, before Agrippa also, he says that he was advancing "none other things than those which the prophets had announced." He was therefore maintaining just such a resurrection as the prophets had foretold.
Oecumenius · AD 550 "saying nothing except what the prophets said." For fear that he himself be thought the teacher of this, he cites the prophets and Moses, saying, "that Christ, if he was to suffer, and if he was to be first from the resurrection of the dead," and what follows.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 What the prophets said about the suffering of Christ is known, and it is needless to speak of it; but what Moses foretold is evident from what he said as if from the person of Jacob to Judah: "He stooped down, he lay down as a lion… who shall rouse him?" (Gen. 49:9). Here he means the death and resurrection of Christ.
23 that the Christ would suffer, and that first through resurrection from the dead He is about to preach light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "Whether the Christ was to suffer:" then the Resurrection and the promise, "Whether He, as the first to rise from the dead, should show light unto the people and to the Gentiles." Festus saw the boldness, and what says he? For Paul was all along addressing himself to the king-he was in a manner annoyed.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "Having risen first from the dead." Jesus was the first to rise and no longer dies, whereas those raised by Him or by His disciples died again in expectation of the future general resurrection.
Festus Interrupts Paul’s Defense 24 And when he was presenting these things in his defence, Festus said in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning turns you to insanity!”
John Chrysostom · AD 407 Festus saw the boldness, and what says he? For Paul was all along addressing himself to the king-he was in a manner annoyed, and says to him, "Thou art beside thyself, Paul:" for, "while he thus discoursed, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee mad." What then says Paul?
Bede · AD 735 Festus said in a loud voice: You are insane, Paul. He deemed it insanity that a man in chains, instead of just defending himself from external accusations, made a speech about the conscience by which he gloried inside and reviewed all the miracles of the revelation by which he was transformed from a persecutor into an apostle, and discussed the dispensation of our Redeemer and…
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 Since Paul constantly directed his speech to the king, Festus, being somewhat offended and seeing Paul's boldness, said out of vexation and anger: "You are out of your mind, Paul!" Paul then explains to him the reason why he directed his word to the king.
25 But Paul: “I am not insane,” he says, “most excellent Festus, but I utter declarations of truth and sobriety.
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "For this thing," he says, "was not done in a corner." Here he speaks of the Cross, of the Resurrection: that the doctrine was come to every part of the world.
Oecumenius · AD 550 But Paul explains the reason for which he turned his speech to the king. Then, showing that this doctrine had become everywhere in the inhabited world, he added: "this has not been done in a corner," speaking about the cross and the resurrection of Christ.
26 For the king understands concerning these things, to whom also I speak using boldness; for I am not persuaded that any of these things is hidden from him, for this was not done in a corner.
Tertullian · AD 220 If he was in heaven, when would he not see what was doing in Italy? For the Italian land is "not in a corner." And yet, had he been a god, nothing ought to have escaped him.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 Saying that "this was not done in a corner," Paul is referring to the cross and the resurrection, since the teaching about this had spread throughout the whole world. He says this as proof that Agrippa knew everything; and he almost says to the rest of those present as well: "You too ought to have known this," because such is the meaning of the following words.
27 Do you believe in the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe.”
John Chrysostom · AD 407 "King Agrippa," he says, "believest thou"-he does not say, the Resurrection, but-"the prophets?" Then he forestalls him, and says: "I know that thou believest." "In a little" (i.e.
Bede · AD 735 Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe. This he speaks not in flattery, as some think, but truly. For Agrippa, as one versed in the rites and laws of the Jews, believed that the prophets spoke truth, but as a faithless man, he did not know to whom that truth referred, that is, the Lord Christ.
28 And Agrippa to Paul: “Within so little time you seek to persuade me to become a Christian!”
Oecumenius · AD 550 In short, that is, with few words, in brief sayings, in a short teaching, without much labor and continuous discussion. Wherefore Paul also fittingly says to him: "I would pray to God even for a little while," and the things that follow. For example, that it is my earnest desire that all should become Christians, and this is my prayer to God.
29 And Paul: “I would wish to God that both in a little and in much, not only you but also all those hearing me this day, might become such as I myself also am — except these chains.”
John Chrysostom · AD 407 For Paul acted thus, not from distress or fear, but from an abundance of wisdom and spiritual understanding. And how this was, I proceed to explain. He was addressing a Gentile, and an unbeliever, who knew nothing of our matters.
Oecumenius · AD 550 Wherefore Paul also fittingly says to him: "I would pray to God even for a little while," and the things that follow. For example, that it is my earnest desire that all should become Christians, and this is my prayer to God. Since I am ready both for many words and for few to preach the faith in Christ, and with work and labor, and immediately.
Theophylact of Ohrid · AD 1107 "I would pray to God that whether in little or in much, not only you but also all who hear me today might become such as I am, except for these chains." Although chains for the name of Christ are worthy of glory, Paul "added 'except for these chains,'" accommodating himself to the understanding of those present.
30 Then the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and those sitting with them;
31 and having withdrawn, they were speaking to one another, saying that, “This man is doing nothing worthy of death or of chains.”
John Chrysostom · AD 407 See how again also they pass sentence in his favor, and after having said, "Thou art beside thyself," they acquit him, as undeserving not only of death, but also of bonds, and indeed would have released him entirely, if he had not appealed to Caesar. But this was done providentially, that he should also depart with bonds.
32 And Agrippa was saying to Festus, “This man was able to have been released, only he had appealed to Caesar.”
Cassiodorus · AD 585 "And Agrippa said to Festus." Then Agrippa said to Festus: "This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar." Then Paul was delivered to centurion Julius with the guards, to sail to Italy. Going on board, they came to Sidon on the second day, where the centurion, treating Paul kindly, permitted him to go to his friends.