Paul’s Defense before Agrippa

1Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: 2“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3especially since you are very knowledgeable about all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4“All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem.a 5They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.a 6And now I stand on trial because of the hopea in what God promisedb to our ancestors, 7the promise our twelve tribes hope to reach as they earnestly serve him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope.a 8Why do any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? 9In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.a 10I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I was in agreement against them.a 11In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them blaspheme.a Since I was terribly enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.

Paul’s Account of His Conversion and Commission

12“I was traveling to Damascus undera these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. 13King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. 14We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic,A ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’a

15“I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord? ’

“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.a 17I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to thema 18to open their eyesa so that they may turnA from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’b

19“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.a 21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to kill me. 22To this very day, I have had help from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing other than what the prophets and Moses said would take placea —  23that the Messiah must suffer, and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”a

Agrippa Not Quite Persuaded

24As he was saying these things in his defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind,a Paul! Too much study is driving you mad.”

25But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment.a 26For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak boldly to him. For I am convinced that none of these things has escaped his notice, since this was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.”

28Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily? ”A

29“I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty,A not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am — except for these chains.”a

30The king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them got up, 31and when they had left they talked with each other and said, “This man is not doing anything to deserve death or imprisonment.”a

32Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”a