What does Acts 26:26 mean?
ESV: For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
NIV: The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.
NASB: For the king knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.
CSB: For 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.
NLT: And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner!
KJV: For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
NKJV: For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.
Verse Commentary:
Paul is speaking to an audience of the governor and the leadership of Caesarea (Acts 25:23). Yet his primary focus is King Agrippa II (Acts 26:2–3). He is the son of Agrippa I who killed the apostle James, brother of John (Acts 12:1–2), and the great-grandson of Herod the Great (Matthew 2:1–4). Agrippa II was born shortly before the beginning of Jesus' ministry and he stayed in Rome for about twenty-five years, but he is well-versed in the Jewish culture and religion. And he's part Jewish, so he has a vested interest in the Christian application of the Jewish Scriptures.
Specifically, Agrippa can see how the life, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled prophecy. In fact, Paul is bold enough to assume Agrippa not only understands the prophecy, but that he believes it (Acts 26:27).
"Boldly" is from the Greek root word parrhēsiazomai and means "to speak freely or have confidence." To spread the message of Jesus "boldly" is a theme in the book of Acts and Paul's epistles. The apostles both prayed for and exhibited boldness in the early days of the church (Acts 4:13, 29, 31). Paul has bravely presented truths about Christ since he first accepted Him as the Messiah (Acts 9:28). He often writes to the churches with boldness (Romans 15:15; 2 Corinthians 3:12; Philemon 1:8) and also asks them to pray his boldness in proclaiming the gospel may continue (Ephesians 6:19–20).
"These things" refers to Jesus' fulfillment of prophecy (Acts 26:22–23) and the beginning of the Christian movement. "This has not been done in a corner" is a colloquial saying; Paul uses it to defend Christianity against the accusation that it is a "sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5), meaning an illegitimate variation of Judaism that is not authorized by the Roman government. The faith has been open, public, and honest about its beliefs and intentions.
The worship of Jesus as the Messiah is fully legitimized by Old Testament prophecy and has spread naturally and publicly; Paul does not lead an illegal cult. In addition, Agrippa has no reason to personally reject Christianity except for moral and political reasons. Perhaps because of his political position and his incestuous relationship with his sister, he politely declines (Acts 26:28).
Verse Context:
Acts 26:24–32 records Governor Felix and King Agrippa II reacting to Paul's testimony. He has just finished giving account of how he accepted Christ and dedicated his life to spreading the gospel. Festus thinks Paul has gone insane. Agrippa understands Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, but he can't accept the personal implications. What they all agree on, however, is that Paul shouldn't be imprisoned. If he hadn't appealed to Caesar, he should have been freed.
Chapter Summary:
Acts 26 records Paul's testimony before the noblemen of Caesarea Maritima, as well as their reactions. He explains that Jewish leaders want him dead because he once persecuted the church, but now believes Jesus rose from the dead and has been spreading that message. Governor Festus thinks Paul has gone mad. King Agrippa II, however, finds his story compelling. They realize that had Paul not appealed to a higher Roman court, they could have let him go.
Chapter Context:
After being held in custody for two years and, again, hassled by the Sanhedrin who want to kill him, Paul appeals his case to Caesar (Acts 25:7–12). Before he travels to Rome, however, Governor Festus has Paul give his testimony before King Agrippa II and the noblemen of Caesarea Maritima (Act 25:23–27). When Paul is finished, they realize they should have set him free before he appealed to Caesar (Acts 26:30–32). But he must go to Rome, surviving a violent storm and a shipwreck along the way (Acts 27—28).
Book Summary:
The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.
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