Acts 26:5
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
Acts 26:5 in other translations
| BSB | They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion. |
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| WEB | having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. |
| ASV | having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. |
| YLT | knowing me before from the first, (if they may be willing to testify,) that after the most exact sect of our worship, I lived a Pharisee; |
| DARBY | who knew me before from the outset of my life, if they would bear witness, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. |
| BBE | And they are able to say, if they would give witness, that I was living as a Pharisee, in that division of our religion which is most regular in the keeping of the law. |
| Webster | Who knew me from the beginning, (if they would testify) that after the strictest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. |
What does Acts 26:5 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 26:4-5
4-5. from my youth, which was at the first ... at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; which knew me from the beginning--plainly showing that he received his education, even from early youth, at Jerusalem. See on Ac 22:3.
Barnes' Notes
From the beginning. ανωθεν. Formerly, or from the very commencement of my career. Who were perfectly apprized of my whole course.
If they would testify. If they would bear witness to what they knew.
That after the most straitest. The most rigid, the most strict; not only in regard to the written law of God, but the traditions of the elders. Paul himself elsewhere testifies, Php 3:4-6, that he had enjoyed all the advantages of birth and training in the Jewish religion, and that he had early distinguished himself by his observance of its rites and customs.
Sect. Division, or party.
I lived a Pharisee. I lived in accordance with the rules and doctrines of the Pharisees. Mt 3:7. The reasons why Paul here refers to his early life are:
(1.) As he had lived during the early period of his life without crime; as his principles had been settled by the instruction of the most able of their teachers, it was to be presumed that his subsequent life had been of a similar character.
(2.) As he, at that period of his life, evinced the utmost zeal for the laws and customs of his country, it was to be presumed that he would not be found opposing or reviling them at any subsequent period. From the strictness and conscientiousness of his past life, he supposed that Agrippa might argue favourably respecting his subsequent conduct. A virtuous and religious course in early life is usually a sure pledge of virtue and integrity in subsequent years.
(*) "straitest" "According to the strictest" (d) "Pharisee" Acts 22:3, Php 3:5
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · 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…
Acts 26:5 in the original Greek
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Cross references for Acts 26:5
- Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
- Acts 22:3
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
- Acts 22:5
As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
- Acts 24:5
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
- Philippians 3:5-6
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
- Acts 24:14
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 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;
- Acts 26:5
Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
- Acts 26:6
And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
Acts 26:5 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Los cuales tienen ya conocido que yo desde el principio, si quieren testificarlo, conforme á la más rigurosa secta de nuestra religión he vivido Fariseo. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | m’ayant connu depuis le commencement, s’ils veulent en rendre témoignage, et sachant que, selon la secte la plus exacte de notre culte, j’ai vécu pharisien. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | die mich von der ersten Zeit her kennen, daß ich nach der strengsten Sekte unserer Religion, als Pharisäer, lebte. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | præscientes me ab initio (si velint testimonium perhibere) quoniam secundum certissimam sectam nostræ religionis vixi pharisæus. |