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Acts 26:27

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 26:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
Acts 26:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 26

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24And as he thus made his defense, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad.
25But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness.
26For the king knoweth of these things, unto whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner.
27King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28And Agrippa [said] unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.
29And Paul [said], I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds.
30And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
← Acts 26:26Acts 26:28 →
← Full Chapter 26 Acts Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? etc.] What they have said concerning the person, office, sufferings, death, and resurrection of Christ, and that what they have said is fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth? I know that thou believest; that what the prophets said were true, and are accomplished.”
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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
“believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest--The courage and confidence here shown proceeded from a vivid persuasion of Agrippa's knowledge of the facts and faith in the predictions which they verified; and the king's reply is the highest testimony to the correctness of these presumptions and the immense power of such bold yet courteous appeals to conscience.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“King Agrippa - This bold personal address is an instance of Paul’s happy manner of appeal. He does it to bring in the testimony of Agrippa to meet the charge of Festus that he was deranged. Believest thou the prophets? - The prophecies respecting the character, the sufferings, and the death of the Messiah. I know that thou believest - Agrippa was a Jew; and, as such, he of course believed the prophets. Perhaps, too, from what Paul knew of his personal character, he might confidently affirm that he professed to be a believer. Instead, therefore, of waiting for his answer, Paul anticipated it, and said that he knew that Agrippa professed to believe all these prophecies respecting the Messiah.…”
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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
“King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? - He that believes these, believes Paul, yea, and Christ. The apostle now comes close to his heart. What did Agrippa feel when he heard this? I know that thou believest! - Here Paul lays so fast hold on the king that he can scarce make any resistance. Acts 26:28”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“26:27-28 Paul’s question put Agrippa in a bind: If he said he believed the prophets, he knew Paul would press home the Christian message; if not, he would offend the devout Jews in his audience. Agrippa knew that Paul wasn’t crazy and that Paul’s testimony about Jesus was historically sound (26:26). So Agrippa evaded Paul’s question and refused to face the claims of Christ, alleging that the statement given by Paul was too brief for him to arrive at a responsible decision.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“believest: Act 26:22, Act 26:23 Acts 26:28”
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Related study paths

Read Acts 26 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification