Acts 26:23
New International Version
that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

New Living Translation
that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

English Standard Version
that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Berean Standard Bible
that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Berean Literal Bible
that Christ would suffer. As first through resurrection from the dead, He is about to preach light both to our people and to the Gentiles."

King James Bible
That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

New King James Version
that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

New American Standard Bible
as to whether the Christ was to suffer, and whether, as first from the resurrection of the dead, He would proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

NASB 1995
that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

NASB 1977
that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He should be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Legacy Standard Bible
that the Christ was to suffer, and that as first of the resurrection from the dead, He was going to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Amplified Bible
that the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) was to suffer, and that He by being the first to rise from the dead [with an incorruptible body] would proclaim light (salvation) both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Christian Standard Bible
that the Messiah must suffer, and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
that the Messiah must suffer, and that as the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”

American Standard Version
how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.

Contemporary English Version
I told them how the Messiah would suffer and be the first to be raised from death, so he could bring light to his own people and to the Gentiles.

English Revised Version
how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They said that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to come back to life and would spread light to Jewish and non-Jewish people."

Good News Translation
that the Messiah must suffer and be the first one to rise from death, to announce the light of salvation to the Jews and to the Gentiles."

International Standard Version
that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead and would bring light both to our people and to the gentiles."

Majority Standard Bible
that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”

NET Bible
that the Christ was to suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, to proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."

New Heart English Bible
how the Christ would suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to non-Jewish people."

Webster's Bible Translation
That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the Gentiles.

Weymouth New Testament
since the Christ was to be a suffering Christ, and by coming back from the dead was then to be the first to proclaim a message of light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."

World English Bible
how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
that the Christ is to suffer, whether first by a resurrection from the dead, He is about to proclaim light to the people and to the nations.”

Berean Literal Bible
that Christ would suffer. As first through resurrection from the dead, He is about to preach light both to our people and to the Gentiles."

Young's Literal Translation
that the Christ is to suffer, whether first by a rising from the dead, he is about to proclaim light to the people and to the nations.'

Smith's Literal Translation
That Christ exposed to suffering, that first from the rising of the dead, he is about to announce light to the people, and nations.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light to the people, and to the Gentiles.

Catholic Public Domain Version
that the Christ would suffer, and that he would be the first from the resurrection of the dead, and that he would bring light to the people and to the nations.”

New American Bible
that the Messiah must suffer and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

New Revised Standard Version
that the Messiah must suffer, and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first to rise from the dead, and that he should preach light to the people and to the Gentiles.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“That The Messiah would suffer and that he would be The Origin of the Resurrection from among the dead and would preach light to the nation and to the Gentiles.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
that Christ should suffer, and that he first, by his resurrection from the dead, should show light to the people, and to the Gentiles.

Godbey New Testament
how that Christ must suffer, how being the first from the resurrection of the dead, he is to proclaim light both to the people, and the Gentiles.

Haweis New Testament
that the Messiah should suffer, and that he being the first who should rise from the dead, should display light to the people, and to the Gentiles.

Mace New Testament
that he should be the first that was to rise from the dead: and that he should enlighten both the Jews and the Gentiles."

Weymouth New Testament
since the Christ was to be a suffering Christ, and by coming back from the dead was then to be the first to proclaim a message of light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."

Worrell New Testament
that the Christ was destined to suffer; that He, first out of a resurrection of the dead, is destined to declare light both to the people and to the gentiles."

Worsley New Testament
and being the first of the resurrection from the dead should bring light to the people and to the Gentiles."

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Testimony to Agrippa
22But I have had God’s help to this day, and I stand here to testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen: 23that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.” 24At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”…

Cross References
Isaiah 53:5-12
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. / We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. / He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth. ...

Luke 24:46-47
And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, / and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, / that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Romans 1:4
and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Peter 1:11
trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Matthew 16:21
From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Psalm 16:10
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

Hosea 6:2
After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. / For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Romans 6:9
For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.

2 Timothy 1:10
And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel,

Revelation 1:18
the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.

John 20:9
For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

Luke 24:26
Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then to enter His glory?”


Treasury of Scripture

That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the Gentiles.

Christ.

Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Psalm 22:1-69:36
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? …

Isaiah 53:1-12
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? …

the first.

Acts 26:8
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

Acts 2:23-32
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: …

Acts 13:34
And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

and should.

Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Luke 2:32
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

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Acts 26
1. Paul, in the presence of Agrippa, declares his life from his childhood;
12. and how miraculously he was converted, and called to his apostleship.
24. Festus charges him with being insane, whereunto he answers modestly.
28. Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian.
31. The whole company pronounces him innocent.














that the Christ
The term "Christ" comes from the Greek "Christos," meaning "Anointed One," equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah." This title signifies Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding a savior and king. In the Jewish tradition, the Messiah was expected to deliver Israel and establish God's kingdom. Here, Paul emphasizes that Jesus is the promised Messiah, a central tenet of Christian faith.

would suffer
The suffering of Christ is a cornerstone of Christian theology, rooted in prophecies such as Isaiah 53, which speaks of a suffering servant. The Greek word "paschō" indicates enduring pain or hardship. This suffering was necessary for the atonement of sin, highlighting the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission. Historically, the concept of a suffering Messiah was a stumbling block for many Jews, who anticipated a triumphant political leader.

and as the first to rise from the dead
The phrase "first to rise" uses the Greek "prōtos," meaning first in time or order. This indicates Jesus' resurrection as the firstfruits of those who have died, as explained in 1 Corinthians 15:20. His resurrection is a pivotal event, affirming His divinity and the promise of eternal life for believers. It marks the beginning of a new creation, where death is conquered.

He would proclaim light
"Light" in this context symbolizes truth, revelation, and salvation. The Greek word "phōs" is often used metaphorically in Scripture to represent divine truth and guidance. Jesus, as the Light of the World (John 8:12), brings spiritual illumination, dispelling the darkness of sin and ignorance. This proclamation of light is central to the Gospel message.

to our people
"Our people" refers to the Jewish nation, God's chosen people through whom the Messiah was promised. Paul's mission, as a Jew himself, was initially to bring the message of Jesus to his fellow Jews, fulfilling the covenantal promises made to the patriarchs. This highlights the continuity of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New.

and to the Gentiles
The inclusion of the Gentiles, or non-Jews, signifies the universal scope of the Gospel. The Greek term "ethnē" refers to nations or peoples. This was a radical shift from the Jewish-centric view of God's covenant, emphasizing that salvation through Christ is available to all humanity. It fulfills the promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 12:3).

(23) That Christ should suffer.--Literally, that the Christ was passible--i.e., capable of suffering. The great body of the Jews had fixed their thoughts only on the prophetic visions of the glories of the Messiah's kingdom. Even the disciples of Jesus were slow to receive any other thought than that of conquest and triumph. Peter's "Be it far from thee, Lord" (Matthew 16:22) expressed the horror with which the thought of a suffering Christ at first struck him. It was not till they were led, after the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, into our Lord's own school of prophetic interpretation (Luke 24:25-26; Luke 24:44), and taught to recognise the under-current of types and prophecies that pointed to a righteous Sufferer, as well as to a righteous King, that they were able to receive the truth. So it was that a "Christ crucified" was still "to the Jews a stumbling-block" (1Corinthians 1:23). The speech at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:27-35) may be noted as showing the stress which St. Paul laid on this point. The Greek has "if" in both clauses where the English has "that;" but our idiom scarcely admits of its being so translated.

That he should be the first that should rise from the dead.--More literally, that He first by His resurrection from the dead (strictly, out of His resurrection) should show light. It was through the Resurrection only that the hopes of Simeon were fulfilled (Luke 2:32), and that light shone in on those who had been sitting as in the shadow of death. The "people" are, as almost always when the word is so used, God's people Israel, as distinguished from the heathen. . . .

Verse 23. - How that the Christ must for that Christ should, A.V.; how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim for that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show, A.V.; both to for unto, A.V. and T.R. How that (εἰ); see ver. 8, note. Must suffer; ταθητός only here and in profane Greek writers. The exact meaning of παθητός is "liable to suffering," just as θνητός (from θνήσκω) means "liable to death," i.e. mortal. But just as θνητός in use comes to mean "one who must die," so παθητός means "one who must suffer;" and so we read in Luke 24:26, Οὐχὶ ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Ξριστὸν καὶ εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν δόξαν αὑτοῦ; "Ought not Christ to have suffered," etc.? And so again in Luke 24:46 (T.R.), Ἔδει παθεῖν τὸν Ξριστὸν καὶ ἀναστῆναι ἐκ νεκρῶν, "It behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead," where the turn of thought is exactly the same as here. The Vulgate renders it by passibilis. The Fathers (Ignatius, Polycarp, Justin Martyr) contrast the state of Christ in glory with his state in the flesh by the words ἀπαθής and παθητός, "impassible" and "passible." That he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim, etc. Most commentators, from Chrysostom downwards, connect the first with the resurrection. "First from the resurrection," equal to πρωτότοκος ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν (Colossians 1:18). As Meyer truly says, "The chief stress of this sentence lies on πρῶτος ἐξ ἀναστάσεως." The A.V. gives the sense by a periphrasis; only it must be well understood that it was especially by being the first to rise, and so to bring life and immortality to light, that Christ showed light to the people. The words may, of course, be construed as the R.V. does, but such a rendering is not in accordance with the spirit of the passage or the analogy of other passages. Christ was the first rise, and he will be followed by them that are his. But it is not true to say that he was the first to give light to Jews and Gentiles, and will be followed by others doing the same. (For the sentiment, setup. Luke 2:32.) Note on the whole the enormous stress laid by St. Paul on the fulfillment of prophecy as a proof of the truth of the gospel, following therein our Lord himself (Luke 24:25, 27, 44, 45).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
that
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

Christ
Χριστός (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

would suffer,
παθητὸς (pathētos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3805: Destined to suffer. From the same as pathema; liable to experience pain.

[and as the]
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

first
πρῶτος (prōtos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.

to rise
ἀναστάσεως (anastaseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 386: A rising again, resurrection. From anistemi; a standing up again, i.e. a resurrection from death (its author), or a recovery.

from
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[the] dead,
νεκρῶν (nekrōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.

He would
μέλλει (mellei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3195: A strengthened form of melo; to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something.

proclaim
καταγγέλλειν (katangellein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2605: To declare openly, proclaim, preach, laud, celebrate. From kata and the base of aggelos; to proclaim, promulgate.

light
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

to
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

our people
λαῷ (laō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

to the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Gentiles.”
ἔθνεσιν (ethnesin)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.


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