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Mark Dunagan Commentaries

Acts 26:28

"And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me. Christian"With but little persuasion" We do not know for sure in what tone of voice or in what attitude (sincerity, irony, or sarcasm) the above statement was made. Various translations give different spins on this response: "In. short time you think to make me. Christian!" (RSV). "You think it will not take much to win me over and make. Christian of me" (NEB). "You are doing your best to persuade me to become. Christian" (Mon). "You think it. small task to make. Christian of me" (Amp). "A little more and you will be making me. Christian" (Ber). "In. short time you will persuade me to become. Christian" (NASV).

Stott is probably on the right track when he observes, "Too embarrassed to give Paul. direct answer to. direct question, and too proud to allow him to dictate the topic of their dialogue, he takes evasive action with an ambiguous counter-question.. murmur went round the audience as people discussed exactly what he meant. It was 'variously represented as. trivial jest,. bitter sarcasm,. grave irony,. burst of anger, and an expression of sincere conviction'" (Stott p. 376). Agrippa probably thought that this response would silence Paul or catch him off guard, but note how Paul quickly, without missing. beat turns it into an even greater incentive to obey.

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See also Acts 26:28 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    ACTS 26:28 poih/sai {A} The difficulty of capturing the nuances intended in this verse is notorious. Without entering into the lexical problems (e.g. does evn ovli,gw| mean “in a short time” or “with...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Acts 26:28. _ALMOST THOU PERSUADEST ME TO BE A CHRISTIAN._] Εν ολιγῳ με πειθεις ΧριϚιανον γενεσθαι. This declaration was almost the necessary consequence of the apostle's reasoning, and Agripp...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    THEN AGRIPPA SAID UNTO PAUL - He could not deny that he believed the prophecies in the Old Testament. He could not deny that the argument was a strong one that they had been fulfilled in Jesus of Naza...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 26 __ 1. The Address of the Apostle Paul (Acts 26:2). 2. The Interruption by Festus and the Appeal to the King (Acts 26:24). 3. The Verdict (Acts 26:30). The opening words of the Apostle a...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    CHALLENGES AND REJOINDERS. That Paul was out of his senses was said of him at Corinth (2 Corinthians 5:13); there is nothing in what he is reported to have said on this occasion that would suggest it...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    As Paul was making his defence, Festus cried out, "Paul, you are mad. Much learning has turned you to madness." But Paul said, "I am not mad, Festus, your Excellency, but I am uttering words of truth...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE DEFENCE OF A CHANGED MAN (Acts 26:1-11)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    ALMOST. Greek. _En oligo._ In. little, i.e., briefly, or in short. Compare Ephesians 3:3. Paul, carried away by his subject, ceases to be the advocate for the prisoner and has become the advocate for...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian Rev. Ver._"With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian." The original is "with [_or_in] little (labour _or_time) thou art persuading...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Interruption by Festus. Appeal to Agrippa. Consultation and decision 24 _Festus said with a loud voice_ Probably what had last fallen from Paul seemed to him little better than lunatic ravings. The G...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    INTERRUPTION BY FESTUS. APPEAL TO AGRIPPA. CONSULTATION AND DECISION...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΠΟΙΗ͂ΣΑΙ for γενέσθαι with אAB. _Vulg_. ‘fieri’ representing γενέσθαι. 28. ἘΝ ὈΛΊΓΩΙ ΜΕ ΠΕΊΘΕΙΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝῸΝ ΠΟΙΗ͂ΣΑΙ, _with but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian_. The literal re...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _PAUL PROVED HIMSELF TO BE INNOCENT ACTS 26:24-32:_ Festus reacted by saying that Paul was a mad man. Paul said he was not mad and that what he preached was true and in harmony with scripture. Paul th...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΈΝ ΌΛΊΓΦ в короткое время, быстро (LC). ΠΕΊΘΕΙΣ _praes. ind. act. 2 pers. sing. от_ ΠΕΊΘΩ (G3982) убеждать. Конативный _praes._, "ты пытаешься..." ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΌΣ (G5546) христианин (_см._ Acts 11:26). Дв...

  • Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae

    DISCOURSE: 1814 THE ALMOST, AND THE REAL, CHRISTIAN COMPARED Acts 26:28. _Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou,...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    ALMOST THOU PERSUADEST ME, &C.— There can be no doubt that these words were delivered in the most serious manner by Agrippa. It plainly appears by St. Paul's answer, and from the sense in which he the...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    f. Paul's defense before King Agrippa. Acts 25:13 bActs 26:32. Acts 25:13 Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted Festus....

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    28. With matchless skill the apostle had brought his proofs to bear upon his principal hearer, and with the boldness which only those can feel who are determined upon success, he pressed this direct a...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _ _ Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian, [en (G1722 ) _ oligoo (G3641_) me ( G3165 ) pe...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    22 It is evident that the apostle did disclose secrets which cannot be found in Moses and the prophets. One of these was the secret of the resurrecction, made known to the Corinthians (1Co_15:15). Ano...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    DEFENCE BEFORE AGRIPPA 1-32. St. Paul before Agrippa. This speech, though in form a defence to the Jews, is really intended by St. Luke to be St. Paul's defence to the world—an apology for his whole...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    ALMOST THOU PERSUADEST ME TO BE A CHRISTIAN] This translation is now given up. The best rendering seems to be, 'Too easily art thou persuading thyself that thou canst make me a Christian!'...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE ACTS _MARION ADAMS_ CHAPTER 26 PAUL SPEAKS TO KING AGRIPPA, 26:1-11 V1 Agrippa told Paul, ‘You may now speak for yourself.’ Paul waved his hand. He said, V2 ‘King Agrippa,...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    ALMOST THOU PERSUADEST ME TO BE A CHRISTIAN. — At the cost of giving up a familiar and impressive text, it must be admitted that the Greek words cannot possibly bear the meaning which is thus put upon...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    ἐν ὀλίγῳ με πείθεις Χ. γένεσθαι, see critical note, “with but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian,” R.V. reading ποιῆσαι, and πείθεις being used _de conatu_ (so Zockler in his 2nd...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    CONVINCING HIS INQUISITORS Acts 26:22 Paul was in his element. He was delivering to kings and governors the testimony which it was the constant object of his life to give, when suddenly he was stoppe...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Agrippa intimated to Paul that he might speak, and the apostle spent a moment in introductory words, and then uttered his great apologia, in which a twofold purpose is evident, first, his own defense,...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    Agrippa's Response Festus interrupted with a loud declaration that Paul had gone crazy from too much learning. It seems Paul's failure to defend himself, instead focussing on converting his judges, wa...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian. According to the common exposition, Agrippa speaks in a jest, and ironically; and as for the words, they are the same as, thou almost persuadest...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (29) And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether s...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The closing Chapter s from 21 to the end of the book are devoted to an episode full of interest and profit Paul's course from Jerusalem to Rome. And here we find ourselves in an atmosphere considerabl...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _ALMOST PERSUADED_ ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.’ Acts 26:28 Who and what was the man who used these remarkable words? He was no infidel, no scoffer at religion, no despiser of God’...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    − 28._And Agrippa said unto Paul. _The apostle prevailed thus far at least, that he wrung out of king Agrippa a confession, though it were not voluntary, as those use to yield who can no longer resist...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Paul's address to king Agrippa furnishes us with the most complete picture of the entire position of the apostle, as he himself looked at it when his long service and the light of the Holy Ghost illum...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    THEN AGRIPPA SAID UNTO PAUL,.... Either seriously or ironically; rather the former, arising from the convictions of his mind, which he could not stifle nor conceal: ALMOST THOU PERSUADEST ME TO BE A...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Ver. 28. _Almost thou persuadest me_] Here he was nigh God's kingdom, who yet (for aught we find) never came there. Almost he...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _But he said_ Calmly, and with a perfect command of himself, not in the least provoked by such an invidious imputation; _I am not mad, most noble Festus_ A title properly belonging to a Roman propreto...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    PERSUADEST ME; by the evidence exhibited that the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah were fulfilled in Christ....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THEN AGRIPPA SAID UNTO PAUL, ALMOST THOU PERSUADEST ME TO BE A CHRISTIAN....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Paul's foremost wish:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    At Agrippa's invitation to him to speak, Paul is fully prepared. He expresses his happiness at being privileged to answer for himself to the king, especially because he knew Agrippa to be an expert in...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    THEN AGRIPPA SAID TO PAUL, " YOU ALMOST PERSUADE ME TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN. " 1. The song is titled "Almost Persuaded." Agrippa was almost moved to become a Christian. 2. Albert Barnes writes, " He co...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    24-32 It becomes us, on all occasions, to speak the words of truth and soberness, and then we need not be troubled at the unjust censures of men. Active and laborious followers of the gospel often ha...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    OLBGrk; Some think that these words were spoken ironically, or scoffingly; as if Agrippa had said: Thou wouldst have me in so short a space (for so en oligw may be translated) to be brought to profess...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    28. With matchless skill the apostle had brought his proofs to bear upon his principal hearer, and with the boldness which only those can feel who are determined upon success, he pressed this direct a...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Acts 26:28 Then G1161 Agrippa G67 said G5346 (G5713) to G4314 Paul G3972 almost G1722 G3641 persuade...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    PAUL IS DECLARED TO HAVE DONE NOTHING WORTHY OF DEATH AND THUS TO HAVE CONFORMED TO THE LAW, BUT KING HEROD AGRIPPA II CLOSES HIS HEART AGAINST HIS WORDS (26:24-32)....

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And Agrippa said to Paul, “With but little persuasion you would fain make me a Christian.” ' Agrippa was probably both taken aback (he was not expecting to be directly challenged) and amused. He coul...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Acts 26:28. ALMOST THOU PERSUADEST ME TO BE A CHRISTIAN. Modern commentators very generally, on the ground that no clear instance has been adduced of the Greek word ε ̓ ν ο ̓ λι ́ γω ͅ signifying ‘alm...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    WITH BUT LITTLE PERSUASION THOU WOULDEST FAIN MAKE ME A CHRISTIAN (εν ολιγω με πειθεις Χριστιανον ποιησα). The Authorized rendering is impossible: "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Εν ο...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    ALMOST R.V. _"With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian"_ The answer might be paraphrased: "It will require more than this," etc, or, "A little more and you will make," etc....

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Acts 26:28 Note: I. Some of those hopeful and encouraging indications of character which may be found in a person who, after all, is nothing more than an almost Christian. Thus, (1) There may be a gr...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Acts 26 St. Paul's Defence before Agrippa. Observe: I. What is the central truth of the Christian system. It is a very suggestive fact that Festus had got hold of the kernel of the whole subject, as...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Three times we have in Holy Writ a graphic report of the conversion of Paul. This may be accounted for partly from its being one of the most remarkable events of early sacred history, Paul having had...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Acts 26:1. _Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:_ I do not suppose Agrippa imagined that Paul would take...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Paul's defense before Agrippa. CHARACTERS: God, Jesus, Paul, Agrippa, Satan, Festus, Bernice, Caesar. CONCLUSION: When God's servant is given a chance to speak for himself, it is well if h...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Acts 26:1. _Then Paul stretched forth the hand,_ the usual signal to gain attention; it indicates presence of mind in the speaker, and that his auditory is large. Though the notice was short, the cour...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    DO YOU BELIEVE THE PROPHETS? Agrippa did believe the prophets, as all Jews did. Therefore he would not appraise the idea of the prophecies being fulfilled as mad and irrational. DO YOU THINK YOU WILL...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    21-30. REPENT OF THEIR SINS AND TURN TO GOD. Compare Acts 3:19 and note. Paul preached a NEW LIFE!!!...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself._ PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA Here is all that Christianity ever asked for: an opportunity to speak for itself; and its answer is the one...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?_ PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA 1. Agrippa may know the prophets, and still not know Him of whom the prophets testify. An acquaintance with Christ’s forerunners or a...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ACTS—NOTE ON ACTS 26:28 IN A SHORT TIME WOULD YOU PERSUADE ME TO BE A CHRISTIAN? Realizing that PAUL was urging him to respond to the gospel, AGRIPPA put him off. Paul then responded

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL REMARKS_ Acts 26:24. AS HE THUS SPAKE FOR HIMSELF.—Lit., _he speaking these things in his defence_—ταῦτα, these things, being the words just uttered about the resurrection, rather than the e...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION ACTS 26:1 And for _then, _A.V.; _his _for _the, _A.V.; _made his _defense_ _for _answered for himself, _A.V. AGRIPPA SAID. It was by the courtesy of Festus that Agrippa thus took the chief...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Let's open our Bibles to the twenty-sixth chapter of Acts. Paul was rescued by Lysias, the captain of the Roman guard from the mob that was attempting to beat him to death in Jerusalem on the temple m...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    2 Corinthians 4:2; Acts 24:25; Acts 26:29; Ezekiel 33:31; James 1:23;

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Almost thou persuadest [ε ν ο λ ι γ ω μ ε π ε ι θ ε ι ς]. Lit., in a little thou persuadest. The rendering almost must be rejected, being without sufficient authority. The phrase, in a little, is adve...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian! — See here, Festus altogether a heathen, Paul alogether a Christian, Agrippa halting between both. Poor Agrippa! But almost pe...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here, 1. What an efficacy St. Paul's doctrine had upon Agrippa: though he would not be converted, yet he could not but be convinced; his conscience was touched, though his heart was not renewe...

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Old Testament