Acts 26:2

2 "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that it is before you today that I am defending myself against all the charges made against me by Jews,

Acts 26:2 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 26:2

I think myself happy, King Agrippa
This was an handsome and artificial way of introducing his defense, and of gaining the affection and attention of the king, and yet was not a mere compliment; for it had been his unhappiness hitherto, that his case was not understood; neither Lysias the chief captain, nor the governors Felix and Festus, knew anything of the rites and customs of the Jews, and could not tell what to make of the questions of their law, of which Paul was accused: but it was otherwise with Agrippa, he was master of them, and this the apostle looked upon as a circumstance in his own favour:

because I shall answer for myself this day before thee;
not before him as a judge, for Festus was judge, but in his presence; and he being versed in things of this kind, was capable of informing, counselling, directing, and assisting the judge, in what was proper to be done; wherefore it was an advantage to the apostle to plead his own cause, and vindicate himself before such a person from the charges exhibited against him:

touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews;
such as violation of the law, profanation of the temple, contempt of the people of the Jews and their customs, and of blasphemy, and sedition; all which he was able to clear himself from, and doubted not but he should do it to the entire satisfaction of the king.

Acts 26:2 In-Context

1 Agrippa said to Sha'ul, "You have permission to speak on your own behalf." Then Sha'ul motioned with his hand and began his defense:
2 "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that it is before you today that I am defending myself against all the charges made against me by Jews,
3 because you are so well informed about all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 "So then! All Jews know how I lived my life from my youth on, both in my own country and in Yerushalayim.
5 They have known me for a long time; and if they are willing, they can testify that I have followed the strictest party in our religion - that is, I have lived as a Parush.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.