Acts 26:8
What does Acts 26:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 26:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 26:8 means
Paul challenges his audience: why should resurrection seem incredible if God is truly God? The question exposes unbelief, not lack of evidence. If the Creator fashioned life, He can restore it. This moves the discussion from mere philosophy to faith in God’s power and promises. The resurrection of Jesus, which Paul proclaims, is not a bizarre novelty but the fitting work of the sovereign Lord. The scandal lies not in divine ability but in human resistance. By pressing this point, Paul prepares the court to hear how his own disbelief was conquered by encounter with the risen Christ, who embodies Israel’s hope.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Why, in your opinion, is it outside belief for God to make the dead come to life again?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Why should it be thought a thing incredible that God should raise the dead?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Why should it be judged a thing incredible in your sight ifGod raises the dead?
Context
This rhetorical question concludes Paul’s brief theological frame (vv.6–8). He has claimed to stand for Israel’s promise and the twelve tribes’ hope; now he asks why resurrection is dismissed. The next section (vv.9–11) will show that Paul himself once judged Jesus’ name contrary to Israel’s honor. Then (vv.12–18) he will describe the Damascus road revelation that reversed his judgment. Thus, verse 8 serves as a bridge from shared doctrine to personal testimony, keeping resurrection central.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 10:40
Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,
- 1 Corinthians 15:12
Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
- Acts 13:30
But God raised him from the dead:
- Matthew 22:29
But Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
- Luke 1:37
For no word from God shall be void of power.
- Acts 17:31
inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
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