Acts 26:28
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 13
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
6 of 13
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ὀλίγῳ
G3641
ὀλίγῳ
Strong's:
G3641
Word #:
9 of 13
puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat
πείθεις
thou persuadest
G3982
πείθεις
thou persuadest
Strong's:
G3982
Word #:
11 of 13
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
Cross References
Acts 11:26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.Matthew 10:18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Historical Context
This exchange occurred around AD 59-60 in Caesarea. Agrippa II was educated in Rome, deeply versed in Jewish theology (v. 3), and understood messianic prophecy. His great-grandfather Herod the Great murdered Bethlehem's infants; his great-uncle Antipas beheaded John the Baptist and mocked Jesus; his father Agrippa I killed James and imprisoned Peter. Now this Agrippa hears the gospel clearly articulated—and refuses it. Within a decade, he would side with Rome against Jerusalem (AD 66-70), betraying his own people.
Questions for Reflection
- What intellectual or lifestyle barriers keep you 'almost persuaded' but prevent full surrender to Christ?
- How does Agrippa's tragedy warn against the danger of admiring Christianity intellectually while refusing it personally?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian (ἐν ὀλίγῳ με πείθεις Χριστιανὸν ποιῆσαι)—The Greek phrase en oligō ('in a little') is ambiguous: 'almost,' 'in short order,' or even ironically, 'with little effort.' The verb peithō means 'to persuade, convince'—Paul's defense had penetrated Agrippa's intellect, if not his will. Christian (Χριστιανόν) appears only three times in Scripture (Acts 11:26, 26:28, 1 Peter 4:16)—originally a term of mockery meaning 'partisan of Christ,' here acknowledged by a king.
Agrippa's response is one of history's most tragic 'almosts'—like Felix trembling but dismissing Paul (24:25), he stands at the threshold of faith but will not cross. Poieō ('to make, do') reveals the issue: he recognizes becoming Christian as a deliberate act, a categorical break with his incestuous relationship with Bernice, his political ambitions, his Herodian heritage. Paul's testimony—Damascus road encounter, prophetic fulfillment, resurrection of Christ—logically compelled assent, but the cost was too high. Almost persuaded is eternally lost.