Acts 26:6
What does Acts 26:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 26:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 26:6 means
Paul explains that he is on trial because of the hope promised by God to the patriarchs. This hope centers on life from the dead and the coming Messiah. Far from betraying Israel, Paul stands with the fathers, trusting the same God who made binding promises. His chains result from fidelity to that hope now realized in Jesus’ resurrection. He reframes the courtroom issue: not political disturbance, but theological fulfillment. If God promised life and a Redeemer, then proclaiming the risen Christ is not treason but faithfulness. The controversy exposes hearts more than facts—whether hearers will embrace the promise kept in Jesus or reject it.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now I am here to be judged because of the hope given by God's word to our fathers;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and now for the hope of the promise made to the fathers by God, I have stood judged,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And now for the hope of the promise that was made by God to the fathers, do I stand subject to judgment:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And now I stand to be judged because of the hope of the promise made byGod to our fathers,
Context
After asserting his Pharisaic credentials, Paul turns to the heart of the matter. Verses 6–7 define his case as bound to Israel’s ancestral hope, and verse 8 will press the rationality of resurrection. Anchoring his defense in promise shifts the argument from personal conduct to divine faithfulness. The next verses will show that this hope motivates both Israel’s worship and Paul’s message. Then Paul will contrast his former opposition to Jesus (vv.9–11) with the transforming encounter that clarified the promise’s fulfillment (vv.12–18).
v.5having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
v.6This passage
v.7unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Amos 9:11
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old;
- Isaiah 11:1
And there shall come forth a shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots shall bear fruit.
- Genesis 3:15
and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
- Daniel 7:13
I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
- Acts 24:15
having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
- Acts 3:24
Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.
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