King James Version

What Does Acts 26:22 Mean?

Acts 26:22 in the King James Version says “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other t... — study this verse from Acts chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

Acts 26:22 · KJV


Context

20

But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

21

For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

22

Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

23

That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

24

And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad .


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Having therefore obtained help of God (ἐπικουρίας οὖν τυχὼν τῆς ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ)—Paul attributes his survival and perseverance through decades of persecution not to personal strength but to divine epikouria (help, assistance). The aorist participle tychōn (obtained) emphasizes God's past faithfulness undergirding present testimony. I continue unto this day (ἕστηκα ἄχρι τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης)—the perfect tense hestēka (I stand) pictures stability through trial, fulfilling Christ's promise: 'I will stand by thee' (Acts 18:10).

Witnessing both to small and great democratizes the gospel—no class distinction before God. Saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come—Paul's defense strategy insists Christianity fulfills rather than contradicts Judaism. His gospel preaches nothing novel but only what the Old Testament foretold: Messiah's suffering, resurrection, and light to Gentiles (v.23).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Paul stands before Herod Agrippa II and Roman governor Festus (circa 59 AD) in Caesarea, defending himself against Jewish accusations. This is Paul's fifth recorded defense speech in Acts. His argument: far from opposing Judaism, he proclaims its prophetic fulfillment. The phrase 'small and great' may allude to his varied audiences—from tent-making laborers in Corinth to philosophers in Athens to royalty here. Paul's ministry spanned approximately 30 years from Damascus road to this moment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'help of God' has sustained you through difficult seasons, and how can you testify to it?
  2. How does Paul's insistence that the gospel fulfills the Old Testament shape how Christians should read Scripture?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
ἐπικουρίας1 of 29

help

G1947

assistance

οὖν2 of 29

therefore

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

τυχὼν3 of 29

Having

G5177

akin to the base of g5088 through the idea of effecting; properly, to affect; or (specially), to hit or light upon (as a mark to be reached), i.e., (t

τῆς4 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παρὰ5 of 29

of

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τοῦ6 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ7 of 29

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἄχρι8 of 29

unto

G891

(of time) until or (of place) up to

τῆς9 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμέρας10 of 29

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ταύτης11 of 29
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

ἕστηκα12 of 29

I continue

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

μαρτυρούμενος13 of 29

witnessing

G3140

to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)

μικρῷ14 of 29

to small

G3398

small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)

τε15 of 29

both

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

καὶ16 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

μεγάλῳ17 of 29

great

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

οὐδὲν18 of 29

none other things

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

ἐκτὸς19 of 29

than

G1622

the exterior; figuratively (as a preposition) aside from, besides

λέγων20 of 29

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὧν21 of 29

those which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τε22 of 29

both

G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

οἱ23 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

προφῆται24 of 29

the prophets

G4396

a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet

ἐλάλησαν25 of 29

did say

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

μελλόντων26 of 29

should

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

γίνεσθαι27 of 29

come

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

καὶ28 of 29

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Μωσῆς,29 of 29

Moses

G3475

moseus, moses, or mouses (i.e., mosheh), the hebrew lawgiver


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 26:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 26:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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