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Acts 26:8
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Context
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Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
That God should raise the dead? - As Agrippa believed in the true God, and knew that one of his attributes was omnipotence, he could not believe that the resurrection of the dead was an impossible thing; and to this belief of his the apostle appeals; and the more especially, because the Sadducees denied the doctrine of the resurrection, though they professed to believe in the same God. Two attributes of God stood pledged to produce this resurrection: his truth, on which his promise was founded; and his power, by which the thing could be easily affected, as that power is unlimited. Some of the best critics think this verse should be read thus: What! should it be thought a thing incredible with you, if God should raise the dead?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Why should it be thought a thing incredible . . . that God should raise the dead?--rather, "Why is it judged a thing incredible if God raises the dead?" the case being viewed as an accomplished fact. No one dared to call in question the overwhelming evidence of the resurrection of Jesus, which proclaimed Him to be the Christ, the Son of God; the only way of getting rid of it, therefore, was to pronounce it incredible. But why, asks the apostle, is it so judged? Leaving this pregnant question to find its answer in the breasts of his audience, he now passes to his personal history.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you,.... You Heathens and Sadducees; for the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was thought an incredible doctrine by the Heathens in general, and therefore was laughed at by the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers at Athens, when preached by the apostle there; and by a particular sect among the Jews, the Sadducees; and the apostle may be thought either to address himself to Festus, the Roman governor, and to the chief captains, who were present, and, being Heathens, disbelieved this doctrine; or else to King Agrippa, who might be a Sadducee, and to such of the Sadducees as were in court, and expostulate with them, why it should be looked upon as a thing by no means to be credited, that God should raise the dead; which may be understood both of the particular resurrection of Christ from the dead, which was not believed, neither by the Romans nor by the Jews, and neither by Pharisees nor Sadducees; or of the general resurrection of the dead, which was judged from the nature of things to be impracticable, and impossible by the latter, as well as by the Heathens: but since God is omniscient and omnipotent, and just and true, knows where every particle of a dead body lies, and can gather all together, and inspire with life; which he can as easily do, as to form all things out of nothing, as he did; and his justice and veracity seem to require, that the same bodies which have been partners with their souls in sinning, or in sufferings should share with them in woe or in happiness; it can neither be absurd, unreasonable, nor incredible, to suppose that God will raise them from the dead.
Acts 26:8
Paul’s Testimony to Agrippa
7the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to realize as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews.8Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
The General Resurrection
By Samuel Davies0GEN 3:19JOB 19:26MAT 25:34JHN 3:6JHN 5:28ACT 26:8ROM 8:71CO 15:51PHP 3:211TH 4:15Samuel Davies preaches about the General Resurrection, emphasizing the inevitable time when all in the graves will rise to face judgment based on their deeds—either to the resurrection of life or damnation. He vividly describes the earth as a vast graveyard, highlighting the multitude of generations that have passed and the solemn reality of death. Davies paints a striking picture of the resurrection, detailing the transformation of bodies and the reunion of souls, contrasting the destinies of the righteous and the wicked. He urges listeners to examine their lives, emphasizing the importance of doing good with a renewed heart and a dependence on Christ's righteousness to secure a resurrection to eternal life.
The Doctrine of the Resurrection, Stated and Defended. in Two Sermons, Preached at a Lecture in Lime-Street.
By John Gill0Hope in ChristResurrectionJOB 19:25ISA 26:19DAN 12:2JHN 5:28JHN 6:39ACT 26:8ROM 8:231CO 15:131CO 15:201TH 4:13John Gill emphasizes the critical importance of the doctrine of resurrection, arguing that without it, the foundation of Christian faith crumbles. He defends the resurrection against skepticism, asserting that it is credible and certain due to God's omnipotence and the scriptural evidence of past resurrections. Gill explains that both the righteous and the wicked will be raised, each to their respective fates, and he highlights the necessity of resurrection for divine justice and the fulfillment of God's promises. He concludes by affirming that the resurrection is not only a future hope but a present assurance for believers, rooted in the resurrection of Christ.
The Gift of Miracles
By Chuck Smith0Faith in GodMiraclesGEN 1:11KI 17:14MAT 4:4MRK 10:27JHN 14:12ACT 3:6ACT 26:81CO 12:102CO 12:12HEB 13:8Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of the gift of miracles as a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, explaining that miracles are divine acts that transcend human limitations. He illustrates this through biblical examples, such as the miracles performed by Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, asserting that belief in God is essential to accepting the reality of miracles. Smith argues that while skepticism exists, particularly among those who limit their understanding to natural phenomena, the power of God remains unchallenged. He encourages believers to remain open to the possibility of miracles today, asserting that salvation itself is a miracle. Ultimately, he calls for a deeper faith and a willingness to be instruments of God's miraculous work in the world.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
That God should raise the dead? - As Agrippa believed in the true God, and knew that one of his attributes was omnipotence, he could not believe that the resurrection of the dead was an impossible thing; and to this belief of his the apostle appeals; and the more especially, because the Sadducees denied the doctrine of the resurrection, though they professed to believe in the same God. Two attributes of God stood pledged to produce this resurrection: his truth, on which his promise was founded; and his power, by which the thing could be easily affected, as that power is unlimited. Some of the best critics think this verse should be read thus: What! should it be thought a thing incredible with you, if God should raise the dead?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Why should it be thought a thing incredible . . . that God should raise the dead?--rather, "Why is it judged a thing incredible if God raises the dead?" the case being viewed as an accomplished fact. No one dared to call in question the overwhelming evidence of the resurrection of Jesus, which proclaimed Him to be the Christ, the Son of God; the only way of getting rid of it, therefore, was to pronounce it incredible. But why, asks the apostle, is it so judged? Leaving this pregnant question to find its answer in the breasts of his audience, he now passes to his personal history.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you,.... You Heathens and Sadducees; for the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was thought an incredible doctrine by the Heathens in general, and therefore was laughed at by the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers at Athens, when preached by the apostle there; and by a particular sect among the Jews, the Sadducees; and the apostle may be thought either to address himself to Festus, the Roman governor, and to the chief captains, who were present, and, being Heathens, disbelieved this doctrine; or else to King Agrippa, who might be a Sadducee, and to such of the Sadducees as were in court, and expostulate with them, why it should be looked upon as a thing by no means to be credited, that God should raise the dead; which may be understood both of the particular resurrection of Christ from the dead, which was not believed, neither by the Romans nor by the Jews, and neither by Pharisees nor Sadducees; or of the general resurrection of the dead, which was judged from the nature of things to be impracticable, and impossible by the latter, as well as by the Heathens: but since God is omniscient and omnipotent, and just and true, knows where every particle of a dead body lies, and can gather all together, and inspire with life; which he can as easily do, as to form all things out of nothing, as he did; and his justice and veracity seem to require, that the same bodies which have been partners with their souls in sinning, or in sufferings should share with them in woe or in happiness; it can neither be absurd, unreasonable, nor incredible, to suppose that God will raise them from the dead.