Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?”
Parallel translations
- WEB Agrippa said to Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”
- KJV Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
- NKJV Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
- NASB Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you are going to persuade me to make a Christian of myself.”
- NLT Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Agrippa responds, 'With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?'—deflecting Paul's pointed appeal.
Overview
Agrippa's famous reply, whether spoken in sarcasm, surprise, or genuine emotion, shows a man brought near to decision yet drawing back. It marks one of the early uses of 'Christian.' The verse soberly illustrates how a person can be intellectually close to the truth yet remain unconverted, a warning against almost-but-not-yet faith.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Acts 11:26and when he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. So for a full year they met together with the church and taught large numbers of people. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
- Matt 10:18On My account, you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
- Acts 24:25As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
- Acts 26:29“Short time or long,” Paul replied, “I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains.”
- 2 Cor 4:2Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
- Jas 1:23–24For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,
- 1 Pet 4:16But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.
- Mark 10:17–22As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up and knelt before Him. “Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
- Ezek 33:31So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.
- Mark 6:20because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
How Acts 26:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.