Acts 26:5

They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Paul addresses King Agrippa and the Roman council while defending himself against Jewish accusations. He references his past religious conduct to establish credibility before explaining his current trial.

The words — προγινώσκοντές (proginōskontes) translates literally to "knowing," while ἄνωθεν (anōthen) means "from the first" or "from early on." Paired with μαρτυρεῖν (marturein, "to testify"), these terms frame the claim that observers can confirm his lifelong adherence to Pharisaic practice.

The thread — This appeal to prior knowledge and testimony runs through Acts 22:5, where Paul notes the high priest and Council can verify his conduct, and Acts 23:6, where he leverages his Pharisaic background before the Sanhedrin.

Why it lands — The text demands that readers weigh Paul’s claim of consistent Pharisaic observance against his current hope in God’s promise, leaving verification to those willing to testify rather than forcing immediate agreement.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

προγινώσκοντέςproginōskontesknowing μεmeme ἄνωθεν,anōthenfrom the first,ἐὰνeanif θέλωσινthelōsinthey may be willing μαρτυρεῖνmartureinto testify ὅτιhotithat κατὰkataaccording to τὴνtēnthe ἀκριβεστάτηνakribestatēnstrictest αἵρεσινairesinsect τῆςtēs<the>ἡμετέραςhēmeterasof our own θρησκείαςthrēskeiasreligion ἔζησαezēsaI lived [as]Φαρισαῖος·Pharisaiosa Pharisee;

King James Version

Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Cross-references

Acts 23:6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
Acts 22:3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
Acts 22:5 as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.
Acts 24:5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
Acts 24:14 I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
Philippians 3:5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;