What did Agrippa mean by "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?" Text and Immediate Context “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In such a short time would you persuade me to become a Christian?’” (Acts 26:28). The Greek reads, Ἐν ὀλίγῳ με πείθεις Χριστιανὸν γενέσθαι; literally, “In a little [time] you are persuading me to become a Christian?” Paul has just finished a defense that centers on the historical, bodily resurrection of Jesus (Acts 26:22-23). He appeals to publicly verifiable events—“this has not been done in a corner” (v. 26)—and then challenges King Agrippa II and the assembled Roman officials. Historical Setting: Paul Before Agrippa II Herod Agrippa II, son of Agrippa I (Acts 12), is the last of the Herodian line ruling under Rome. A client king, he wields influence over Jewish religious affairs and Roman political proceedings (Josephus, Antiquities 20.7.1). Festus, the new governor, seeks Agrippa’s expertise on Jewish matters before sending Paul to Caesar (Acts 25:13-22). The hearing is formal, public, and politically charged; Luke lists officers, military tribunes, and “prominent men of the city” (25:23). The Term “Christian” Χριστιανός appears only three times in the NT (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). In Antioch the label is first applied by outsiders to disciples, likely with scornful overtones. By A.D. 62, when this hearing occurs, the word has gained wider circulation. Agrippa employs it knowingly, signaling acquaintance with the budding movement. Meaning of ἐν ὀλίγῳ (“In a Short Time”) The idiom can signify time (“so quickly”) or degree (“with so little effort”). Greek rhetoricians often paired ἐν ὀλίγῳ with ἐν πολλῷ (“little vs. much”) to contrast brevity and thoroughness (cf. Euripides, Hippolytus 1002). Paul echoes this in verse 29: “Whether short or long (ἐν ὀλίγῳ ἢ καὶ ἐν μεγάλῳ).” Agrippa’s phrase thus carries a dual nuance: temporal brevity and paucity of argument. Possible Shades of Agrippa’s Response 1. Sarcastic Deflection Agrippa may be masking conviction behind urbane irony. Roman elites often deflated serious moral challenges with wit (Tacitus, Annals 14.44). 2. Tentative Interest The king is well-versed in “all the customs and controversies of the Jews” (26:3). Paul’s appeal to Moses and the Prophets (vv. 22-23) corresponds to Messianic expectations Agrippa knows. The phrase could be a startled admission that the argument is compelling. 3. Political Prudence Open avowal of the Nazarene sect would antagonize both Rome and the Jewish aristocracy. By framing it as a rhetorical question, Agrippa maintains plausible deniability. Rhetorical Force of Paul’s Defense Paul employs a three-part strategy: • Personal Testimony (vv. 4-11) • Supernatural Encounter (vv. 12-18) • Publicly Verifiable Resurrection (vv. 19-23) The structure mirrors ancient judicial oratory (Quintilian, Institutio 4.2): narration, proof, and peroration. Modern historiographical analysis of the resurrection (minimal-facts approach) confirms Paul’s facts—empty tomb, post-mortem appearances, transformation of enemies—as early, multiply attested data. Archaeological and Manuscript Corroboration • Coins minted A.D. 54-59 bear Agrippa’s image beside Nero’s, verifying Luke’s chronology. • The Delphi Inscription (Claudius to Gallio, A.D. 51) anchors Acts 18 to fixed Roman dating, supporting Luke’s overall timeline. • P72, ℵ, A, and B contain Acts 26 virtually unchanged, displaying >98% agreement; no variant affects meaning here. Theological Implications Scripture portrays instantaneous conversions: Philippian jailer (Acts 16:30-34), Ethiopian official (8:35-38). Yet others weigh evidence over time (John 12:42-43). Agrippa’s quip exposes the tug-of-war between the Spirit’s conviction (John 16:8) and human reluctance (Hebrews 2:3). Miraculous Validation Paul’s ministry is marked by healings and exorcisms (Acts 19:11-12). Luke, a physician, records these clinically, underscoring divine authentication (cf. Mark 16:20). Contemporary documented healings—e.g., instantaneous remission of metastasized cancers following prayer, catalogued by the Christian Medical & Dental Associations—continue the same pattern. Paul’s Follow-Up: “I Wish Before God…” (26:29) Paul shifts from defense to pastoral appeal. His desire encompasses “all who hear,” including Festus, Bernice, military officers—demonstrating the universal scope of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Lessons for Today 1. Present the resurrection as historical fact; its evidential weight still compels. 2. Expect varied reactions: ridicule (Festus, v. 24), curiosity (Agrippa, v. 28), and conversion (others unnamed). 3. Urgency is biblical; “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). Conclusion Agrippa’s question, whether ironic or intrigued, reveals a conscience pricked by history’s most pivotal event: the risen Christ. His response invites every reader to decide—will a “short time” suffice, or will postponement forfeit eternity? |
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