Acts 26:27
What does Acts 26:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 26:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 26:27 means
Paul confronts Agrippa kindly but directly: “Believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.” He grounds the debate in shared authority. If Agrippa affirms the prophets, he must consider their testimony about the suffering Messiah and light to the Gentiles, which Paul has just expounded. This is more than courtroom rhetoric; it is a personal call to faith. Paul is not content to win an argument; he longs to win a soul. The question forces a decision: either the prophets are true and fulfilled in Jesus, or their words are evaded. Respectfully, Paul presses the king toward honest belief.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
KJV
King James Version · 1611King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949King Agrippa, have you faith in the prophets? I am certain that you have.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862thou dost believe, king Agrippa, the prophets? I have known that thou dost believe!'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Believest thou the prophets, O king Agrippa? I know that thou believest.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
Context
Following the appeal to public knowledge (v.26), Paul now probes Agrippa’s conscience by invoking the prophets. Verse 27 is a hinge: it aims for a verdict from Agrippa about the Scriptures. The next verse (v.28) records the king’s guarded, perhaps ironic response, and verse 29 reveals Paul’s pastoral heart, desiring all present to share his faith, except his chains. The narrative shifts from defense to evangelistic appeal.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 26:22
Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come;
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