Acts 26:16
What does Acts 26:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 26:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 26:16 means
Jesus commands Paul to rise and stand, appointing him as a minister and a witness of what he has seen and of future revelations. This is ordination language: from fallen persecutor to standing servant. Paul’s authority will come from being an eyewitness of the risen Christ and from continued instruction. The call is active—he must serve and testify. Christianity spreads by witness to facts and grace, not by compulsion. Jesus initiates both salvation and vocation. Paul will not invent a message; he will testify to Christ, crucified and risen, and to the light that confronted him. The Lord’s purpose redefines Paul’s identity and directs his future steps.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee;
KJV
King James Version · 1611But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But get up on your feet: for I have come to you for this purpose, to make you a servant and a witness of the things in which you have seen me, and of those in which you will see me;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but rise, and stand upon thy feet, for for this I appeared to thee, to appoint thee an officer and a witness both of the things thou didst see, and of the things <FI>in which<Fi> I will appear to thee,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But rise up and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, that I may make thee a minister and a witness of those things which thou hast seen and of those things wherein I will appear to thee,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but rise up and stand on thy feet; for, for this purpose have I appeared to thee, to appoint thee to be a servant and a witness both of what thou hast seen, and of what I shall appear to thee in,
Context
Following identification in verse 15, Jesus now gives purpose. Verses 16–18 form the commission: stand, serve, witness; be delivered; be sent; open eyes; announce forgiveness and inheritance. These verses summarize Paul’s apostolic mandate that explains his later preaching and suffering. After presenting this call, Paul will affirm his obedience (v.19) and the content of his preaching (v.20), linking his actions directly to the heavenly vision.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 4:6
If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now:
- Acts 20:24
But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:18
But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;
- 1 Timothy 1:12
I thank him that enabled me, even Christ Jesus our Lord, for that he counted me faithful, appointing me to his service;
- Acts 9:6
but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
- Acts 13:1
Now there were at Antioch, in the church that wasthere, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
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