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Acts 26:17

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 26:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,
Acts 26:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 26

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.
15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee;
17delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,
18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.
19Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20but declared both to them of Damascus first and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
← Acts 26:16Acts 26:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Delivering thee from the people, etc.] That is, the people of the Jews, as they are distinguished from the Gentiles; and so the Syriac version, and two of Beza’s copies, and two of Stephens’s, read; for the Lord knew, that as soon as ever Saul was converted and professed his name, and preached his Gospel, the people of the Jews would immediately become his implacable enemies, and seek to destroy him; wherefore he promises him before hand deliverance, and security from them: and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee; to both Jews and Gentiles; to the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles; which method the apostle observed, and which course he steered, until the Jews put away the Gospel…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Delivering thee from the people--the Jews. and from the Gentiles--He was all along the object of Jewish malignity, and was at that moment in the hands of the Gentiles; yet he calmly reposes on his Master's assurances of deliverance from both, at the same time taking all precautions for safety and vindicating all his legal rights. unto whom now I send thee--The emphatic "I" here denotes the authority of the Sender [BENGEL].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Delivering thee from the people - From the Jewish people. This implied that he would be persecuted by them, and that the Lord Jesus would interpose to rescue him. And from the Gentiles - This also implied that he would be persecuted and opposed by them - a prospect which was verified by the whole course of his ministry. Yet in all he experienced, according to the promise, the support and the protection of the Lord Jesus. This was expressed in a summary manner in Luke 9:16. Unto whom now I send thee - Acts 22:21. As the opposition of the Jews arose mainly from the fact that he had gone among the Gentiles, it was important to bring this part of his commission into full view before Agrippa, and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Delivering thee from the people - The Jews and the Gentiles, to whom, both Jews and Gentiles, I now send thee - Paul gives them to know, that the liberty he enjoys even in bonds, was promised to him, as well as his preaching to the Gentiles. I, denotes the authority of the sender. Now, the time whence his mission was dated. For his apostleship, as well as his conversion, commenced at this moment. Acts 26:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“26:17-18 Throughout his defense in this trial for his life, Paul also clearly set out the conditions for receiving new life in Christ (also in 26:20, 23; see Matt 10:19-20).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Delivering: Act 9:23-25, Act 9:29, Act 9:30, Act 13:50, Act 14:5, Act 14:6, Act 14:19, Act 14:20, Act 16:39, Act 17:10, Act 17:14, Act 18:10, Act 18:12-16; Act 19:28-41, Act 21:28-36, Act 22:21, Act 22:22, Act 23:10-24, Act 25:3, Act 25:9-11, Act 27:42-44; Psa 34:19, Psa 37:32, Psa 37:33; Co2 1:8-10, Co2 4:8-10, Co2 11:23-26; Ti2 3:11, Ti2 4:16, Ti2 4:17 the Gentiles: Act 9:15, Act 22:21, Act 28:28; Rom 11:13, Rom 15:16; Gal 2:9; Eph 3:7, Eph 3:8; Ti1 2:7; Ti2 1:11, Ti2 4:17 Acts 26:18”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification