Acts 26:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Then he says, “I beg you to hear me patiently.” Since he was about to make a lengthy speech and speak about himself, he first makes this request.

“Especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and questions among the Jews.” Knowing this, Paul should have feared being judged by a man who knew everything. Yet not to avoid such a judge, who knew in detail all that had happened, means having a pure conscience.

The Apostle Paul had to defend himself against accusations before King Agrippa. He was confident in the success of his case, since the one who was to hear him could understand him. Therefore, at the very beginning he expresses his joy, saying, "Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself happy, because today I shall make my defense before you, especially knowing that you are expert in all customs and questions among the Jews"; Acts 26:2-3.

For the Apostle had read that saying of Jesus, the son of Sirach: "Blessed is he who speaks into the ears of those who listen"; Sir 25:12. He knew how to direct the speech of an orator according to what the judge knew.

At this time Festus was very glad at the arrival in Caesarea of the young King Agrippa II. As a Jew, he was knowledgeable in matters of the Jewish faith. Festus hoped that, if he now presented Paul to his guest, he might be able to write something more definite about him to Rome.

Paul appeared amid a large gathering of noble persons before the Roman procurator and the Jewish king. He rejoiced beforehand that he could bear witness before such high-ranking men concerning what was dearest of all to his heart.

The speech of the Apostle Paul at this trial, in the presence of King Agrippa, is likewise a defense, as was his speech before the Jews on the steps of the Jerusalem fortress. But because the Apostle now spoke with greater freedom than he had then before a crowd of fanatics, and because he was not interrupted in his speech and could express himself fully. He defends himself here in such a way that at the same time he gives solemn witness to Christ, dead and risen, according to the prophecy of Moses and the other ancient prophets. He also summons his hearers to repentance and conversion to God.

When the Apostle Paul was brought into this splendid assembly, Festus first set forth the substance of the case. Then Agrippa said solemnly to the Apostle, "You are permitted to speak for yourself."

Casting his penetrating gaze over the assembly, the Apostle stretched out his hand, according to the custom of ancient orators. He began his speech by observing that he was especially happy to make his defense before King Agrippa.

This prince had received from his father a careful education in all matters concerning the Jewish religion and ritual observance. His father's zeal in fulfilling both the written and the oral law was known to all. Therefore Agrippa could not fail to feel interest in a question concerning which he was so competent a judge.

The Apostle begins his speech by addressing the king with the same dignity as when he addressed Felix; Acts 24:10. He expresses his joy, "I consider myself happy," that he has occasion to defend himself first before a king. For this reason he addresses Agrippa more than once, naming him thus in vv. 7, 19, and 26-27.

He also rejoices that he is before such a king, especially one who knows all the customs and disputed opinions of the Jews. Therefore Agrippa can judge Paul's innocence better than others, such as the procurators of Judea, regarding the crimes for which the Jews consider him worthy of death.

The speech of the Apostle Paul before King Agrippa in Caesarea is full of dignity. The Apostle was evidently glad to speak a word of defense, and at the same time a word of eternal truth, before such a splendid company gathered then in the proconsul's judgment hall.

In this sense one may understand Paul's happiness in defending himself in Agrippa's presence. Agrippa, of course, could not essentially change the course of Paul's case. Yet by his opinion he could exercise a broad influence over all public opinion.

"Paul begins to speak with boldness and calls himself happy, not from flattery, but because he speaks before a man to whom everything is known."