1Agrippa aber sprach zu Paulus: Es ist dir erlaubt, für dich selbst zu reden. Da streckte Paulus die Hand aus und verteidigte sich:2Es ist mir sehr lieb, König Agrippa, dass ich mich heute vor dir verantworten kann wegen all der Dinge, deren ich von den Juden beschuldigt werde,3vor allem weil du alle Ordnungen und Streitfragen der Juden kennst. Darum bitte ich dich, mich geduldig anzuhören.4Mein Leben von Jugend auf, wie ich es von Anfang an unter meinem Volk und in Jerusalem zugebracht habe, ist allen Juden bekannt,5die mich von früher kennen, wenn sie es bezeugen wollten. Denn nach der strengsten Richtung unsres Glaubens habe ich gelebt als Pharisäer. (Apg 23,6; Phil 3,5)6Und nun stehe ich hier und werde angeklagt wegen der Hoffnung auf die Verheißung, die unsern Vätern von Gott gegeben ist. (Apg 28,20)7Auf sie hoffen die zwölf Stämme unsres Volkes, wenn sie Gott bei Tag und Nacht beharrlich dienen. Wegen dieser Hoffnung werde ich, o König, von den Juden beschuldigt. (Apg 24,15)8Warum wird das bei euch für unglaublich gehalten, dass Gott Tote auferweckt? (Apg 23,8)9Zwar meinte auch ich selbst, ich müsste viel gegen den Namen Jesu von Nazareth[1] tun. (Apg 9,1; Apg 22,3)10Das habe ich in Jerusalem auch getan; dort brachte ich viele Heilige ins Gefängnis, wozu ich Vollmacht von den Hohenpriestern empfangen hatte. Und wenn sie getötet werden sollten, gab ich meine Stimme dazu.11Und in allen Synagogen zwang ich sie oft durch Strafen zur Lästerung und ich wütete maßlos gegen sie, verfolgte sie auch bis in die fremden Städte.12Als ich darum nach Damaskus reiste mit Vollmacht und im Auftrag der Hohenpriester,13sah ich mitten am Tage, o König, auf dem Weg ein Licht vom Himmel, heller als der Glanz der Sonne, das mich und die mit mir reisten umleuchtete.14Als wir aber alle zu Boden stürzten, hörte ich eine Stimme zu mir reden, die sprach auf Hebräisch: Saul, Saul, was verfolgst du mich? Es wird dir schwer sein, wider den Stachel zu löcken[2].15Ich aber sprach: Herr, wer bist du? Der Herr sprach: Ich bin Jesus, den du verfolgst;16steh nun auf und stell dich auf deine Füße. Denn dazu bin ich dir erschienen, um dich zu erwählen zum Diener und zum Zeugen für das, was du gesehen hast und wie ich dir erscheinen will. (Hes 2,1)17Und ich will dich erretten von deinem Volk und von den Heiden, zu denen ich dich sende,18um ihre Augen aufzutun, dass sie sich bekehren von der Finsternis zum Licht und von der Gewalt des Satans zu Gott. So werden sie Vergebung der Sünden empfangen und das Erbteil mit denen, die geheiligt sind durch den Glauben an mich. (Apg 20,32)19Daher, König Agrippa, war ich der himmlischen Erscheinung nicht ungehorsam, (Gal 1,16)20sondern verkündigte zuerst denen in Damaskus und in Jerusalem, dann im ganzen Land Judäa und unter den Heiden, sie sollten Buße tun und sich zu Gott bekehren und rechtschaffene Werke der Buße tun.21Deswegen haben mich Juden im Tempel ergriffen und versucht, mich zu töten. (Apg 21,30)22Aber Gottes Hilfe habe ich erfahren bis zum heutigen Tag und stehe nun hier und bin sein Zeuge bei Klein und Groß und sage nichts, als was die Propheten und Mose gesagt haben, dass es geschehen soll: (Lk 24,44)23dass Christus müsse leiden und als Erster auferstehen von den Toten und verkündigen das Licht seinem Volk und den Heiden. (1Kor 15,20; Kol 1,18)24Als er aber dies zu seiner Verteidigung sagte, sprach Festus mit lauter Stimme: Paulus, du bist von Sinnen! Das viele Studieren macht dich wahnsinnig.25Paulus aber sprach: Hochgeehrter Festus, ich bin nicht von Sinnen, sondern ich rede wahre und vernünftige Worte.26Der König, zu dem ich frei und offen rede, versteht sich auf diese Dinge. Denn ich bin gewiss, dass ihm nichts davon verborgen ist; denn dies ist nicht im Winkel geschehen. (Joh 18,20)27Glaubst du, König Agrippa, den Propheten? Ich weiß, dass du glaubst.28Agrippa aber sprach zu Paulus: Es fehlt nicht viel, so wirst du mich noch überreden und einen Christen aus mir machen.29Paulus aber sprach: Ich wünschte vor Gott, dass über kurz oder lang nicht allein du, sondern alle, die mich heute hören, das würden, was ich bin, ausgenommen diese Fesseln.30Da stand der König auf und der Statthalter und Berenike und die bei ihnen saßen.31Und als sie sich zurückzogen, redeten sie miteinander und sprachen: Dieser Mensch hat nichts getan, was Tod oder Gefängnis verdient hätte. (Apg 23,29)32Agrippa aber sagte zu Festus: Dieser Mensch könnte freigelassen werden, wenn er sich nicht auf den Kaiser berufen hätte. (Apg 25,11)
Apostelgeschichte 26
King James Version
1Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:2I 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:3Especially 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.4My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;5Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.6And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:7Unto 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.8Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?9I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.10Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.11And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.12Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,13At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.14And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.15And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;17Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.19Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:20But 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.21For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.22Having 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:23That 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.24And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.25But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.26For 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.27King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.28Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.29And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.30And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:31And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.32Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
Apostelgeschichte 26
English Standard Version
Paul’s Defense Before Agrippa
1So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: (Apg 9,15)2“I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, (Apg 25,7; Apg 25,19; Apg 26,7)3especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. (Apg 6,14; Apg 18,15)4“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. (Apg 24,17; Apg 28,19; Gal 1,13)5They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. (Apg 22,3; Apg 23,6; Apg 24,5; Jak 1,26)6And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, (Apg 13,32)7to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! (Esr 6,17; Mt 19,28; Lk 22,30; Apg 2,33; Apg 26,2; Phil 3,11; Hebr 10,36; Hebr 11,13; Hebr 11,39; Jak 1,1; Offb 21,12)8Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? (Apg 17,3; 1Kor 15,12)9“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. (Joh 16,2; Apg 3,17; Apg 22,8; 1Tim 1,13)10And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. (Apg 8,3; Apg 9,1; Apg 9,14; Apg 9,21; Apg 22,4; Apg 22,20; Apg 26,12)11And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. (Apg 9,1; Apg 13,45; Apg 22,5; Apg 22,19)
Paul Tells of His Conversion
12“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. (Apg 9,3; Apg 22,6)13At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.14And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language,[1] ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ (Apg 21,40; Apg 22,2)15And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.16But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, (Hes 2,1; Dan 10,11; Apg 22,14)17delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you (1Chr 16,35; Jer 1,8; Jer 1,19; Jer 15,20; Apg 9,15; Apg 12,11; Röm 11,13; 1Tim 2,7)18to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Jes 35,5; Jes 42,7; Lk 22,53; Apg 5,31; Apg 15,9; Apg 20,32; 1Kor 5,5; 2Thess 2,13)19“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, (Apg 26,13)20but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. (Mt 3,8; Lk 3,8; Apg 2,38; Apg 9,19; Apg 9,26; Apg 13,46; Apg 14,15; Apg 22,17)21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. (Apg 21,27; Apg 21,30; Apg 24,18)22To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: (Apg 10,43; Apg 24,14; 2Kor 1,10; Eph 6,13; Hebr 13,5)23that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” (Lk 2,32; Lk 24,26; Joh 12,34; Apg 3,18; Apg 26,18; Röm 1,4; 1Kor 15,20; 1Kor 15,23; Eph 2,17; Kol 1,18; Hebr 2,10; Offb 1,5)24And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” (2Kön 9,11; Jer 29,26; Mk 3,21; Joh 10,20; Apg 12,15; Apg 17,32; Apg 26,8; 1Kor 1,23; 1Kor 2,14; 1Kor 4,10)25But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. (Apg 24,2; 2Kor 5,13; 2Petr 1,16)26For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. (Apg 26,3)27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”28And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”[2] (Apg 11,26; 1Petr 4,16)29And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” (Apg 21,33; 1Kor 7,7)30Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. (Apg 23,24)31And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” (Apg 23,29)32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Apg 9,15; Apg 25,11; Apg 28,18; Apg 28,19)