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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_26:24-29
24While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad." 25But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. 26For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." 28Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian." 29And Paul said, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains."
Act_26:24 "Festus said in a loud voice" Paul's message was unbelievable to him. His world-view and culture, education, and position biased his ability to understand.
▣ "Your great learning is driving you mad" In a roundabout way this shows the depth, clarity, and persuasiveness of Paul's defense.
Act_26:25 "of sober truth" The Greek term sôphrosunç comes from two Greek words, "sound" and "mind." They mean a balanced approach to life and thinking. It is the antonym of "out of your mind" and "mad" (cf. Act_26:24).
▣ "the truth" See Special Topic below.
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Act_26:26-28 "the king knows about these matters" There has been much discussion about these verses. Apparently Paul wanted to use Agrippa II to confirm his testimony and if possible bring him to acceptance of its truth. Act_26:28 could be translated, "Do you want me to be a Christian witness?"
Act_26:26 "I speak to him also with confidence" Luke often uses this term in Acts, it is always connected with Paul (cf. Act_9:27-28; Act_13:46; Act_14:3; Act_18:26; Act_19:8). It is usually translated "speaking with boldness" (cf. 1Th_2:2). This is one of the manifestations of being Spirit-filled. It was the object of Paul's prayer request in Eph_6:20. Gospel proclamation with boldness is the Spirit's goal for every believer.
▣ "for this has not been done in a corner" Peter made this same assertion again and again to his first hearers in Jerusalem (cf. Act_2:22; Act_2:33). The facts of the gospel were verifiable and historical.
Act_26:27 Paul knew that Agrippa was knowledgeable of the OT. Paul is claiming that his gospel message was clearly discernable from OT Scriptures. It was not a "new" or "innovative" message! It was fulfilled prophecy.
Act_26:28
NASB "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian"
NKJV "You almost persuade me to become a Christian"
NRSV "Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian"
TEV "In this short time do you think you will make me a Christian"
NJB "A little more, and your arguments would make a Christian of me"
There is a lexical option about how to understand oligô (meaning small or little), "in a short time" (NASB, NRSV, TEV), or "with little effort" (NKJV, NJB). This same confusion is also present in Act_26:29.
There is also a textual variant related to this phrase: "to do" or "to make" (poieô) in the manuscripts P74, à , A (UBS4 gives it an "A" rating), or "to become" in MS E and the Vulgate and Peshitta translations.
The meaning in the larger context is obvious. Paul wanted to present the gospel in such a way that those who knew and affirmed the OT (Agrippa) would be brought under conviction or at the least, affirm the relevance of these OT prophecies.
▣ "Christian" The people of "the Way" (followers of Christ) were first called Christians at Antioch of Syria (cf. Act_11:26). The only other place this name appears in Acts is on the lips of Agrippa II, which means the name had become widely known.
Act_26:29 "I would wish to God" Act_26:29 is a partial Fourth class conditional sentence (an with the optative mood), which expresses a desire that might remotely come to reality. It is usually a prayer or wish. Paul wished all of his hearers, Roman and Jewish, would come to faith in Christ like himself.