So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
English Standard Version (ESV)
Notice Paul’s gesture: he stretches out his hand. This wasn't just a natural movement; it was a deliberate oratorical cue, a way to command attention and signal his readiness to speak, even while chained. It shows Paul's freedom of spirit and his earnest desire to present his case, not just to defend himself, but to share the truth he believed in.
So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Agrippa, after listening to Governor Festus introduce Paul's case, grants Paul permission to speak in his own defense. Paul, seizing this opportunity, gestures with his bound hand, ready to present his defense and explain his conversion and continued belief, knowing Agrippa's familiarity with Jewish customs. He sees this moment as a chance to vindicate himself and potentially influence how his case is presented to Caesar.
Imagine standing before kings and governors, chained and accused, yet you're given the floor. What does it mean to hold onto your dignity in such a moment?
Paul, a prisoner facing powerful accusers, is granted permission to speak. Notice Agrippa's words: 'You have permission to speak for yourself.' This isn't just a legal formality; it's a recognition of Paul's humanity and right to be heard, even in his vulnerable state.
Paul's response is striking. He 'stretched out his hand' and 'made his defense.' This gesture, common for public speakers, conveys a readiness and confidence. Despite his chains, Paul carries himself with an inner freedom. He's not just a prisoner; he's an ambassador, an apostle, and he will not be silenced.
This moment teaches us that our circumstances don't define our dignity. Even when accused, imprisoned, or marginalized, we can respond with composure, clarity, and a profound sense of self-worth rooted in our identity in Christ.
When you're accused, is your first instinct to lash out, or to explain? Paul's 'defense' was far more than just a refutation.
The word 'defense' used here (apologia) isn't just about denying charges; it's about presenting a reasoned explanation, a positive case for one's beliefs and actions.
Paul wasn't just trying to get off the hook. He saw this as an unparalleled opportunity. He writes, 'I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day' (Acts 26:2). He recognized Agrippa's unique knowledge of Jewish customs and beliefs, making him a potentially receptive and informed listener.
Paul's defense would encompass not only refuting the accusations but also clearly articulating the foundation of his faith: the hope promised to the fathers, rooted in the resurrection of Jesus. His strategy was to connect his Christian message to the very heritage and expectations of the Jewish people, turning an accusation into an evangelistic opportunity.
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Understand the original words
apologia · Greek Noun
A formal response to charges or criticisms, often in a legal or public context, explaining the truth or justification of one's actions and beliefs.
Paul's defense before Agrippa is a pivotal moment, not just a legal plea, but a carefully orchestrated opportunity to witness the gospel to royalty, leveraging his knowledge of Jewish customs and the Scriptures that Agrippa, unlike Festus, would understand.
c. AD 57
Paul's Arrest in Jerusalem
Paul is arrested in Jerusalem after being accused by Jewish leaders. He is imprisoned and later transferred to Caesarea Maritima for his safety.
c. AD 58
Paul's Appeal to Caesar
After Festus, the Roman governor, proposes sending Paul back to Jerusalem for trial, Paul exercises his right as a Roman citizen and appeals to Emperor Nero.
c. AD 59
Agrippa and Festus Confer
Governor Festus consults with King Herod Agrippa II, seeking advice on how to present Paul's case to Caesar, as he is unfamiliar with Jewish legal questions.
c. AD 59— this verse
Paul's Defense Before Agrippa
Festus allows Paul to speak for himself before Agrippa, Bernice, and other dignitaries. Paul seizes the opportunity to share his conversion story and the gospel message.
c. AD 60
Paul's Voyage to Rome
Paul is sent to Rome under guard to face his trial before Caesar. His journey is marked by a shipwreck but ends with his arrival in the Roman capital.
This verse describes Paul stretching out his hand and asking for silence from the crowd, similar to the gesture he uses here before Agrippa, showing his readiness to speak.
Acts 24:10Paul uses the phrase 'make my defense' here, just as he does in Acts 26:1, highlighting his consistent approach to vindicating himself and his faith when given the opportunity.
1 Peter 3:15This passage calls believers to always be ready to give a defense for the hope they have, a principle Paul embodies by meticulously presenting his case before Agrippa.
Philippians 1:7Paul states he holds believers in his heart and that they are 'partners in my defense and in the gospel,' showing that defending the gospel was a shared mission, as he does here.
2 Timothy 4:16Paul recounts that at his first defense, no one supported him, but here in Acts 26, he is granted a significant platform to speak before royalty, showing a different context for his defense.
gillActs 26:1: "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:"
Then Agrippa said unto Paul,.... After Festus had made the above speech to him, and to all present, and had introduced the affair of Paul, who now stood before them: thou art permitted to speak for thyself; which a prisoner might not do, until he had leave; and this leave was granted by Festus the Roman governor, who was properly the judge, and not Agr…
bensonActs 26:1: "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:"
Acts 26:1-3 . Then Agrippa said unto Paul — Agrippa was the most honourable person in the assembly, having the title of king bestowed upon him, though otherwise not superior to Festus, as only having the power of other governors under the emperor. But as Festus had opened the cause, and Agrippa, though not here superior, yet, was senior to Festus, ther…
Notice Paul’s gesture: he stretches out his hand. This wasn't just a natural movement; it was a deliberate oratorical cue, a way to command attention and signal his readiness to speak, even while chained. It shows Paul's freedom of spirit and his earnest desire to present his case, not just to defend himself, but to share the truth he believed in.
King Agrippa, after listening to Governor Festus introduce Paul's case, grants Paul permission to speak in his own defense. Paul, seizing this opportunity, gestures with his bound hand, ready to present his defense and explain his conversion and continued belief, knowing Agrippa's familiarity with Jewish customs. He sees this moment as a chance to vindicate himself and potentially influence how his case is presented to Caesar.
King Agrippa, after listening to Governor Festus introduce Paul's case, grants Paul permission to speak in his own defense. Paul, seizing this opportunity, gestures with his bound hand, ready to present his defense and explain his conversion and continued belief, knowing Agrippa's familiarity with Jewish customs. He sees this moment as a chance to vindicate himself and potentially influence how his case is presented to Caesar.
"So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:" — Notice Paul’s gesture: he stretches out his hand. This wasn't just a natural movement; it was a deliberate oratorical cue, a way to command attention and signal his readiness to speak, even while cha…
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Last reviewed October 2026