Then Agrippa said to Paul
King Agrippa II, the last of the Herodian dynasty, was well-versed in Jewish customs and controversies. His presence in this narrative highlights the intersection of Roman political authority and Jewish religious tradition. Agrippa's familiarity with Jewish law and prophecy provided him with a unique perspective on Paul's message. This encounter occurs during Paul's defense before Agrippa, Festus, and other dignitaries, showcasing the spread of the Gospel to influential leaders.

“Can you persuade me
The question reflects Agrippa's awareness of Paul's intent to convert him to Christianity. The Greek term used here implies a rhetorical question, suggesting skepticism or perhaps a challenge. This moment underscores the tension between the Gospel's transformative power and human resistance. It also highlights the role of persuasion in evangelism, as seen in Paul's missionary journeys and his epistles, where he often reasons with his audience.

in such a short time
Agrippa's remark may indicate surprise at Paul's boldness and the brevity of his appeal. The phrase suggests the urgency and immediacy of the Gospel message, which calls for a response. This echoes other instances in Acts where the message of Christ prompts immediate decisions, such as the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36-38) and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:30-33).

to become a Christian?”
The term "Christian" was first used in Antioch (Acts 11:26) and was likely a term of derision. Here, it signifies the identity and community of those who follow Christ. Agrippa's use of the term indicates an awareness of the distinctiveness of the Christian faith. This moment reflects the early church's challenges in defining its identity amidst Jewish and Roman contexts. The question also points to the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that His followers would testify before kings (Matthew 10:18).

1. Paul
The apostle who is giving his defense before King Agrippa. Paul is a central figure in the New Testament, known for his missionary journeys and epistles.

2. King Agrippa
Herod Agrippa II, the Jewish king who is hearing Paul's defense. He is knowledgeable about Jewish customs and the prophets.

3. Festus
The Roman governor who has brought Paul before Agrippa. Festus is seeking Agrippa's opinion on Paul's case.

4. Caesarea
The location where this event takes place. It is a significant city in Roman Judea, serving as the administrative center.

5. Paul's Defense
The event where Paul is defending himself against accusations and sharing his testimony of conversion and mission.The Power of Testimony
Paul's testimony is a powerful tool for witnessing. Believers should be ready to share their personal accounts of faith to impact others.

The Role of Persuasion in Evangelism
While persuasion is important, conversion is ultimately the work of the Holy Spirit. Christians should present the Gospel clearly and trust God for the results.

Understanding the Audience
Paul tailors his message to Agrippa's knowledge of Jewish customs and prophecies. Believers should consider their audience's background when sharing the Gospel.

Boldness in Witnessing
Despite being on trial, Paul speaks boldly about his faith. Christians are encouraged to be courageous in sharing their beliefs, regardless of circumstances.

The Urgency of the Gospel
Agrippa's response highlights the urgency of making a decision about Christ. Believers should communicate the importance of responding to the Gospel message.(28) Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.--At the cost of giving up a familiar and impressive text, it must be admitted that the Greek words cannot possibly bear the meaning which is thus put upon them. The words run literally, In, or with, a little thou persuadest me; and this may be completed by, "with little speech," "with little labour," or "little evidence." So in Ephesians 3:3 we have precisely the same phrase rendered "in few words." Agrippa's words, accordingly, are the expression, not of a half-belief, but of a cynical sneer. Thou art trying to make a Christian of me with very few words, on very slender grounds, would be the nearest paraphrase of his derisive answer to St. Paul's appeal. It was. it will be seen, evasive as well as derisive; he shrinks from a direct answer to the question that had been put to him. In his use of the Latin term "Christian" (see Note on Acts 11:26) we may trace, perhaps, the effect of Roman associations. There certainly were Christian communities at Rome at this time (Romans 16 passim), and they would naturally be described there as they had been at Antioch. It may be noted that, of the prominent English versions, Wiclif gives "in a little thing," Tyndal and Cranmer "somewhat," the Rhemish "a little;" the Geneva agrees with the present version in "almost." The meaning "somewhat," or "a little," is a tenable one. but Ephesians 3:3. as already stated, is in favour of that given above. The phrase was, perhaps, in itself ambiguous, and St. Paul accepts in one sense what had been spoken in another.

Verse 28. - And for then, A.V.; with but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian for almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian, A.V. With but little persuasion (ἐν ὀλίγῳ κ.τ.λ.). This saying of Agrippa's is obscure and variously explained. The A.V., following Chrysostom, Beza, Luther, etc., takes ἐν ὀλίγῳ to mean "within a little" or" almost," like the Hebrew כִּמְעַט, which is very suitable to the context. The corresponding ἐν πόλλῳ, or, as otherwise read, ἐν μεγάλῳ would then mean, as in the A.V., "altogether," and the sense of the whole passage is striking and appropriate. But there is some difficulty in getting Otis meaning out of the words. The natural way of expressing it would be παρ ὀλίγον, or ὀλίγου, or ὀλίγον δεῖ. Hence many other commentators take ἐν ὀλίγῳ to mean "in a short time," and the sense to be either "you are making short work of my conversion: you are persuading me to become a Christian as suddenly as you yourself did;" with a corresponding sense for ἐν πόλλῳ, "in a long time," i.e. whether it takes a short or a long time, I pray God you may become a Christian like myself;" or, "you are soon persuading me," you will soon persuade me if you go on any longer in this strain. Others, again, preferring the reading ἐν μεγάλῳ in ver. 29, take ἐν ὀλίγῳ to mean "with little trouble," or "with few words," as Ephesians 3:5 (understanding λόγῳ or πόνῳ), "lightly" (Alford), and then the opposite ἐν μεγάλῳ would mean "with much trouble," "with many words," i.e. "with difficulty." But this is rather a fiat rendering. Another difference of opinion is whether the words of Agrippa are to be taken ironically, or sarcastically, or jestingly, or whether they are to be taken seriously, as the words of a man shaken in his convictions and seriously impressed by what he had heard. The whole turn of the narrative seems to favor the latter view. Another view, started by Chrysostom, is that Agrippa used the words in one sense, and St. Paul (mistakenly or advisedly) took them in another. Another possible explanation is that ἐν ὀλίγῳ is here used in the sense in which Thucydides employs the phrase (it. 86 and Ephesians 4:26), Τὴν ἐν ὀλίγῳ ναυμάχιαν and Ἐν ὀλίγῳ στρατοπεδευομένος, viz. "in a narrow place;" and that Agrippa meant to say, "By your appeal to the prophets you press me hard; you have got me into a corner. I am in a στενοχωρία, a ' narrow room; ' I hardly know how to get out of it." The ἐν μεγάλῳ would then mean a" large room," a εὐρυχωρία (Psalm 30:8). This would suppose ἐν ὀλίγῳ and ἐν μεγάλῳ to have become proverbial phrases.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Then
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

Agrippa
Ἀγρίππας (Agrippas)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 67: Agrippa, i.e. Herod Agrippa II. Apparently from agrios and hippos; wild-horse tamer; Agrippas, one of the Herods.

[said] to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

Paul,
Παῦλον (Paulon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

“Can you persuade
πείθεις (peitheis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3982: A primary verb; to convince; by analogy, to pacify or conciliate; reflexively or passively, to assent, to rely.

me
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

in
Ἐν (En)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

such a short [time]
ὀλίγῳ (oligō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3641: Puny; especially neuter somewhat.

to become
ποιῆσαι (poiēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

a Christian?”
Χριστιανὸν (Christianon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5546: A Christian. From Christos; a Christian, i.e. Follower of Christ.


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NT Apostles: Acts 26:28 Agrippa said to Paul With a little (Acts of the Apostles Ac)