The Meaning of Acts 26:8 Explained

Acts 26:8

KJV: Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

YLT: why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?

Darby: Why should it be judged a thing incredible in your sight if God raises the dead?

ASV: Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Why  should it be thought a thing  incredible  with  you,  that  God  should raise  the dead? 

What does Acts 26:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Paul"s reference to the resurrection was appropriate because Jesus" identification as the Messiah depended on His resurrection. None of Paul"s hearers could reasonably doubt the resurrection of the dead since God had raised Jesus from the dead. Furthermore, why could not an all-powerful God raise the dead?

Context Summary

Acts 26:1-11 - Paul Permitted To Speak For Himself
Though Paul's defense before Agrippa is in substance the same as that from the castle stairs at Jerusalem, it differs in the extended description of the remarkable change which had passed over his life in consequence of the direct interposition of Jesus Christ. And in the opening paragraph he lays great stress on his determined opposition to the doctrine of Christ, as a proof that his conversion was trustworthy evidence.
Stretching out his hand, the Apostle began by congratulating himself on the opportunity of laying his case before the great-grandson of Herod the Great, whose elaborate training in all matters of the Jewish religion made him unusually competent to deal with the matters in debate. He asked why it should be so hard to credit the attested fact of the Lord's resurrection. He granted that he himself had resisted the evidence when he had first heard it. Indeed, he had everything to lose if he accepted it. His fiery persecution of the Christians proved at least that he was an impartial witness. So he pleaded before that group of high and mighty potentates. What a contrast between their splendid robes and sparkling jewels, and the poor, worn, shackled prisoner! But they are remembered only because of this chance connection with Paul, while Paul has led the mightiest minds of subsequent ages. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 26

1  Paul, in the presence of Agrippa, declares his life from his childhood;
12  and how miraculously he was converted, and called to his apostleship
24  Festus charges him with being insane, whereunto he answers modestly
28  Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian
31  The whole company pronounces him innocent

Greek Commentary for Acts 26:8

Incredible with you [απιστον παρ υμιν]
This old word απιστον — apiston Paul turns suddenly from Agrippa to the audience (παρ υμιν — par' humin plural), most of whom were probably Gentiles and scouted the doctrine of the resurrection as at Athens (Acts 17:32). [source]
If God doth raise the dead [ει ο τεος νεκρους εγειρει]
Condition of the first class assuming that God does raise dead people. Only God can do it. This rhetorical question needs no answer, though the narrative resumed in Acts 26:9 does it in a way. [source]
That God should raise the dead [εἰ ὁ Θεὸς νεκροὺς ἐγείρει]
Much better, as Rev., if God raises the dead. He does not put it as a supposition, but as a fact: if God raises the dead, as you admit that he has the power to do, and as your own writings tell you that he has done. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Acts 26:8

Acts 17:3 That it behoved the Christ to suffer [οτι τον Χριστον εδει πατειν]
The second aorist active infinitive is the subject of εδει — edei with τον Χριστον — ton Christon the accusative of general reference. This is Paul‘s major premise in his argument from the Scriptures about the Messiah, the necessity of his sufferings according to the Scriptures, the very argument made by the Risen Jesus to the two on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:25-27). The fifty-third chapter of Isaiah was a passage in point that the rabbis had overlooked. Peter made the same point in Acts 3:18 and Paul again in Acts 26:23. The minor premise is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. To rise again from the dead (αναστηναι εκ νεκρων — anastēnai ek nekrōn). This second aorist active infinitive αναστηναι — anastēnai is also the subject of εδει — edei The actual resurrection of Jesus was also a necessity as Paul says he preached to them (1 Thessalonians 4:14) and argued always from Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and from his own experience (Acts 9:22; Acts 22:7; Acts 26:8, Acts 26:14; 1 Corinthians 15:8). This Jesus is the Christ More precisely, “This is the Messiah, viz., Jesus whom I am proclaiming unto you.” This is the conclusion of Paul‘s line of argument and it is logical and overwhelming. It is his method everywhere as in Damascus, in Antioch in Pisidia, here, in Corinth. He spoke as an eye-witness. [source]
Acts 17:3 To rise again from the dead [αναστηναι εκ νεκρων]
This second aorist active infinitive αναστηναι — anastēnai is also the subject of εδει — edei The actual resurrection of Jesus was also a necessity as Paul says he preached to them (1 Thessalonians 4:14) and argued always from Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and from his own experience (Acts 9:22; Acts 22:7; Acts 26:8, Acts 26:14; 1 Corinthians 15:8). [source]
Acts 26:24 With a loud voice [μεγαληι τηι πωνηι]
Associative instrumental case showing manner (Robertson, Grammar, p. 530) and the predicate use of the adjective, “with the voice loud” (elevated). Thou art mad (μαινηι — mainēi). Old verb for raving. See also John 10:20; Acts 12:15; 1 Corinthians 14:23. The enthusiasm of Paul was too much for Festus and then he had spoken of visions and resurrection from the dead (Acts 26:8). “Thou art going mad” (linear present), Festus means. Thy much learning doth turn thee to madness “Is turning thee round.” Old verb περιτρεπω — peritrepō but only here in N.T. Festus thought that Paul‘s “much learning” (=“many letters,” cf. John 7:15 of Jesus) of the Hebrew Scriptures to which he had referred was turning his head to madness (wheels in his head) and he was going mad right before them all. The old word μανια — mania (our mania, frenzy, cf. maniac) occurs here only in N.T. Note unusual position of σε — se between πολλα — polla and γραμματα — grammata (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 418, 420) [source]
Acts 26:24 Thou art mad [μαινηι]
Old verb for raving. See also John 10:20; Acts 12:15; 1 Corinthians 14:23. The enthusiasm of Paul was too much for Festus and then he had spoken of visions and resurrection from the dead (Acts 26:8). “Thou art going mad” (linear present), Festus means. [source]
Romans 12:16 In your own conceits [παῤ ἑαυτοῖς]
Lit., with yourselves; in your own opinion. See Romans 11:25, and compare Acts 26:8, “incredible with you,” i.e., in your judgment. [source]
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable in all [τίμιος ὁ γάμος ἐν πᾶσιν]
Γάμος everywhere else in N.T. a wedding or wedding feast, often in the plural, as Matthew 22:2, Matthew 22:3, Matthew 22:4; Luke 12:36. Τίμιος honorableor held in honor. Often in N.T. precious, of gold, stones, etc., as 1 Corinthians 3:12; Revelation 17:4; Revelation 18:12; of life, Acts 20:24; the fruits of the earth, James 5:7; the blood of Christ, 1 Peter 1:19; the divine promises, 2 Peter 1:4. Rend. “let marriage be had in honor.” The statement is hortatory, as suiting the character of the entire context, and especially the γὰρ for“for whoremongers,” etc. Ἑν πᾶσιν in all respects,” as 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 4:5; Titus 2:9; Colossians 1:18; Philemon 4:12. If as A.V., the more natural expression would be παρὰ πᾶσιν as Matthew 19:26; Acts 26:8; Romans 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:6; James 1:27. Ἑν πᾶσιν inall things appears in this chapter, Hebrews 13:18. There are many points in which marriage is to be honored besides the avoidance of illicit connections. See on 1 Thessalonians 4:6. [source]

What do the individual words in Acts 26:8 mean?

Why incredible is it judged by you if - God [the] dead raises
τί ἄπιστον κρίνεται παρ’ ὑμῖν εἰ Θεὸς νεκροὺς ἐγείρει

τί  Why 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τίς  
Sense: who, which, what.
ἄπιστον  incredible 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ἄπιστος  
Sense: unfaithful, faithless, (not to be trusted, perfidious).
κρίνεται  is  it  judged 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: κρίνω  
Sense: to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεὸς  God 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
νεκροὺς  [the]  dead 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: νεκρός  
Sense: properly.
ἐγείρει  raises 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐγείρω  
Sense: to arouse, cause to rise.