King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

ACTS 26:27KJV
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Acts 26:27 (KJV)

What does Acts 26:27 mean?

In Acts 26:27, Paul presses King Agrippa to consider whether he accepts the words of Israel’s prophets, the people who spoke God’s messages. Paul says he knows Agrippa believes them, making the king’s own beliefs part of the discussion.

Paul has been explaining his message about Jesus before Agrippa and others. After appealing to Agrippa’s knowledge in verse 26, Paul turns directly to him with a question. Paul’s immediate answer puts Agrippa in the position of responding.

The Greek behind Acts 26:27

  • “believest” — πιστεύω (pisteuō): The word can mean to believe or accept something as true. Here Paul asks whether Agrippa accepts what the prophets said, rather than merely whether he knows their writings.

  • “prophets” — προφήτης (prophētēs): The word refers to people who speak a message from God. Paul’s question points to figures whose writings were recognized among the Jewish people.

Why Acts 26:27 matters

  • Paul’s question connects his account of Jesus to earlier writings. In verses 22–23, Paul says his message agrees with what Moses and the prophets said would happen.

  • Paul treats Agrippa as someone familiar with Jewish beliefs. Earlier in the speech, Paul says Agrippa knows the customs and questions among the Jews (verse 3).

  • Agrippa’s reply shows that he understands Paul’s question as personally pointed. In verse 28, Agrippa answers that Paul has almost persuaded him to become a Christian, in the KJV’s wording.

Where else these words appear

“Agrippa” Greek G67 · used in 12 verses

  • Acts 25:13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
  • Acts 25:24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
  • Acts 26:7 Unto 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.

“King” Greek G935 · used in 107 verses

  • Matthew 1:6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
  • Luke 10:24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
  • Acts 26:2 I 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:

“prophets” Greek G4396 · used in 143 verses

  • Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
  • Luke 4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
  • Acts 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.