Acts 26:1

Agrippa. See on Acts 25:13. The young king stands in striking contrast to Paul. This last scion of a decayed line of Jewish kings, the Maccabees, and of the house of Herod, Agrippa professed to be a Jew but was at heart a Roman. His reign marked the end of a dynasty and of an era. From the first the Herodian dynasty had been captive to Rome, and had certainly made no brilliant record. Before him stands Paul, old now, but strong in his convictions, and confident despite the circumstances. Agrippa is cynical, indifferent to real values; Paul is ardent for truth, no matter what the cost to himself.

Stretched forth the hand. Mention of this spontaneous gesture suggests that Luke may have been an eyewitness (cf. Acts 21:40).

Answered. That is, made his defense (see on Acts 25:8). In making this defense before Agrippa, Paul addresses himself to one who is nominally a Jew, yet apparently not hostile. Confident that he will be better understood, he no doubt spoke with greater freedom, and perhaps in more detail than at his earlier hearing before Felix and Festus.