Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

ACTS 26:28KJV
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Acts 26:28 (KJV)

What does Acts 26:28 mean?

Acts 26:28 records King Agrippa’s response to Paul’s appeal. In the King James Version, Agrippa says that Paul has nearly persuaded him to become a Christian. The remark shows how personally Agrippa has taken Paul’s speech: the question has turned from Paul’s beliefs to Agrippa’s own response.

Paul has just asked Agrippa whether he believes the prophets, the people whose writings foretold events connected with Jesus. Agrippa’s reply brings Paul’s attempt to persuade him into the open, before the people listening to their exchange.

The Greek behind Acts 26:28

  • “Almost” — ἐν ὀλίγῳ (en oligō): The phrase carries the sense of “in a little.” The KJV understands it as “almost,” referring to how close Agrippa is to being persuaded.

  • “persuadest” — πείθεις (peitheis): The word means to persuade or try to convince. Agrippa describes Paul’s speech as an appeal directed at him, not merely an account of Paul’s own experience.

  • “Christian” — Χριστιανόν (Christianon): The word means a follower of Christ. Agrippa names the kind of person Paul is seeking to persuade him to become.

Why Acts 26:28 matters

  • Agrippa’s reply makes the exchange personal. Paul addresses Agrippa directly in verse 27, and Agrippa answers with “thou persuadest me.”

  • Paul’s response widens the conversation to everyone present. In verse 29, Paul says he wishes that both Agrippa and all who hear him were like him, except for his chains.

  • Agrippa’s “almost” is a response to Paul’s appeal, not a statement that he has become a Christian. His words place him close to being persuaded in the KJV’s wording.

Where else these words appear

“Christian” Greek G5546 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
  • 1 Peter 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

“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.

“Almost” Greek G3641 · used in 42 verses

  • Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
  • Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
  • 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

“persuadest” Greek G3982 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
  • Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
  • Galatians 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.