But 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;

ACTS 26:16KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 26:16 (KJV)

What does Acts 26:16 mean?

Acts 26:16 shows Jesus telling Paul to get up and stand, because Jesus has appeared to Paul for a specific reason: to appoint Paul as a servant and a witness to what Paul has already seen and to what Jesus will show him in the future. This verse highlights Paul’s calling and the purpose behind his dramatic encounter with Jesus.

In the setting of Acts 26, Paul is speaking before King Agrippa, recounting the moment on the road to Damascus when Jesus appeared to him. Jesus’ words here explain that Paul’s role is not just to receive a vision, but to actively serve and testify about what he has experienced and what he will continue to learn. The verse makes clear that Paul’s mission is both to serve (“minister”) and to testify (“witness”) about Jesus, based on direct revelation.

The Greek behind Acts 26:16

  • “Minister” (ὑπηρέτης, hupēretēs): This word means a servant or helper, often used for someone who assists another. Here, it shows that Paul’s role is to serve under Jesus’ direction, not act on his own authority.
  • “Witness” (μάρτυς, martys): This word means someone who testifies to what they have seen or experienced. Paul is being told that his job is to give firsthand testimony about Jesus, both from what he has already seen and what he will see later.
  • “Appear” (ὀφθῆναι, ophthēnai): The Greek word for “appear” carries the sense of being made visible or revealed. Jesus is emphasizing that his appearance to Paul is intentional and meaningful, not accidental.

Why Acts 26:16 matters

  • Acts 26:16 clarifies that Paul’s authority and mission come directly from a personal encounter with Jesus, not from human appointment or tradition.
  • The verse emphasizes that Paul’s testimony is based on real experiences—what he has seen and what he will see—not just on secondhand information or teaching.
  • This verse connects Paul’s story to the larger narrative of Acts, showing that his ministry is part of God’s ongoing plan to reveal Jesus both to Paul and through him to others.

Where else these words appear

“make” Greek G4400 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

“minister” Greek G5257 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
  • John 7:32 The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.
  • John 18:22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

“witness” Greek G3144 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
  • Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
  • 1 Timothy 5:19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

“appeared” Greek G3700 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
  • Luke 22:43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
  • Acts 13:31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.