Acts 26 · Verse 3

Acts 26:3

Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
Acts 26:3, King James Version

Acts 26:3 in other translations

BSBespecially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.
WEBespecially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
ASVespecially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
YLTespecially knowing thee to be acquainted with all things--both customs and questions--among Jews; wherefore, I beseech thee, patiently to hear me.
DARBYespecially because thou art acquainted with all the customs and questions which are among the Jews; wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
BBEThe more so, because you are expert in all questions to do with the Jews and their ways: so I make my request to you to give me a hearing to the end.
WebsterEspecially, because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

What does Acts 26:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 26:1-3

Ac 26:1-32. Paul's Defense of Himself before King Agrippa, Who Pronounces Him Innocent, but Concludes That the Appeal to Cæsar Must Be Carried Out. This speech, though in substance the same as that from the fortress stairs of Jerusalem (Ac 22:1-29), differs from it in being less directed to meet the charge of apostasy from the Jewish faith, and giving more enlarged views of his remarkable change and apostolic…

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Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. To be expert. To be skilled, or well acquainted.

In all customs. Rites, institutions, laws, etc. Everything pertaining to the Mosaic ritual, etc.

And questions. Subjects of debate, and of various opinions. The inquiries which had existed between the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, etc. Paul could say this of Agrippa without falsehood or flattery. Agrippa was a Jew, and had passed much of his time in the kingdom over which he presided; and though he had passed the early part of his life chiefly at Rome, yet it was natural that he should make himself acquainted with the religion of his fathers. Paul did not know how to flatter men; but he was not unwilling to state the simple truth, and to commend men as far as truth would permit.

Wherefore. On this account; because you are acquainted with those customs. The Romans, who regarded those customs as superstitious, and those questions as matters to be treated with contempt, could not listen to their discussion with patience. Agrippa, who knew their real importance, would be disposed to lend to all inquiries respecting them a patient attention.

(a) "expert in all customs" De 17:18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 26:1-11

Christianity teaches us to give a reason of the hope that is in us, and also to give honour to whom honour is due, without flattery or fear of man. Agrippa was well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, therefore could the better judge as to the controversy about Jesus being the Messiah. Surely ministers may expect, when they preach the faith of Christ, to be heard patiently. Paul professes that he still…

Read the full comment on Acts 26:1-11 →

Acts 26:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

μάλισταmalistaEspeciallyG3122
γνώστηνgnōstēnacquaintedG1109
ὄνταontabeingG1510
σεseyouG4771
πάντωνpantōnwith allG3956
τῶνtōntheG3588
κατὰkataofG2596
ἸουδαίουςIoudaious[the] JewsG2453
ἐθῶνethōncustomsG1485
τεteandG5037
καὶkaialsoG2532
ζητημάτων.zētēmatōncontroversies.G2213
διὸdiothereforeG1352
δέομαιdeomaiI imploreG1189
μακροθύμωςmakrothumōspatientlyG3116
ἀκοῦσαίakousaito hearG191
μου.¶moume.G3165

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 26:3

  • Acts 6:14

    For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

  • Acts 26:26

    For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

  • Acts 24:4

    Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

  • Acts 28:17

    And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:2

    And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

  • Acts 26:7

    Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

  • Acts 24:10

    Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

  • Deuteronomy 17:18

    And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:

  • Acts 25:19-20

    But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

  • Acts 25:26

    Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

  • Acts 21:21

    And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
because.
26; 6:14; 21:21; 24:10; 25:19,20,26; 28:17; De 17:18; 1Co 13:2
to hear.
24:4

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Acts 26:2

    I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

  • Acts 26:3

    Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

  • Acts 26:4

    My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

Read all of Acts 26

Acts 26:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Mayormente sabiendo tú todas las costumbres y cuestiones que hay entre los Judíos: por lo cual te ruego que me oigas con paciencia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
surtout parce que tu es au fait de toutes les coutumes et questions qui existent parmi les Juifs; c’est pourquoi je te prie de m’écouter avec patience.
German
Elberfelder 1871
besonders weil du von allen Gebräuchen und Streitfragen, die unter den Juden sind, Kenntnis hast; darum bitte ich dich, mich langmütig anzuhören.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
maxime te sciente omnia, et quæ apud Judæos sunt consuetudines et quæstiones: propter quod obsecro patienter me audias.