Acts 26:28

An Exegetical Analysis of Acts 26:28: Statement or Question?

This exegetical study of An Exegetical Analysis of Acts 26:28: Statement or Question? is based on a recent b-greek discussion concerning the proper interpretation and punctuation of Agrippa’s response to Paul in Acts 26:28. The initial inquiry centers on the rationale for rendering this verse as a declarative statement rather than an interrogative question, particularly given the potential for the context and Agrippa’s words to suggest a query.

The main exegetical issue revolves around the ambiguity of Agrippa’s utterance, specifically the phrase “ἐν ὀλίγῳ,” which can be interpreted either temporally (“so soon,” “in a short time”) or quantitatively/qualitatively (“with little effort,” “to a small degree”). This ambiguity significantly influences whether Agrippa’s statement is a genuine expression of being almost persuaded, a sarcastic dismissal of Paul’s efforts, or a rhetorical question expressing surprise at the brevity of the persuasive attempt.

ὁ δὲ Ἀγρίππας πρὸς τὸν Παῦλον, Ἐν ὀλίγῳ με πείθεις Χριστιανὸν ποιῆσαι. (Acts 26:28)

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• Textually, there are no significant word-level variants between the Nestle 1904 text and the SBLGNT (2010) edition for Acts 26:28. Both editions present the same Greek words.
• The primary interpretive difference, and the subject of this exegesis, lies in the *punctuation* and subsequent *rhetorical force* attributed to Agrippa’s statement. Modern editions like SBLGNT typically punctuate this as a statement, though the underlying Greek can support an interrogative reading, especially considering the absence of explicit interrogative particles in the original Koine manuscripts.

Textual Criticism (NA28): The critical apparatus of NA28 (Novum Testamentum Graece, 28th edition) indicates no significant textual variants for Acts 26:28 that would alter the wording or syntax of Agrippa’s speech. The wording is stable across major manuscript traditions (e.g., א A B C D E Ψ). The interpretive debate therefore does not stem from textual uncertainty but from grammatical and rhetorical analysis.

Lexical Notes:

• ὀλίγος (oligôs): According to Liddell, Scott, Jones (LSJ) and Walter Bauer’s A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BDAG), the adverbial phrase ἐν ὀλίγῳ can denote either *time* (“in a short time,” “soon,” “quickly”) or *degree/manner* (“with little effort,” “easily,” “to a small extent”).

  • BDAG defines ἐν ὀλίγῳ as “in a short time, soon, quickly” (citing Acts 26:28 as a prime example, often with the note that the interpretation as ‘nearly’ is widespread). It also offers “with little effort” or “to a small degree.” The dual potential of this phrase is central to the interpretive crux.
  • Gerhard Kittel’s Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (TDNT) also highlights the range of meaning for ὀλίγος, confirming its use for both temporal brevity and quantitative smallness. The specific context is crucial for determining the intended nuance of ἐν ὀλίγῳ.

• πείθω (peithō): Both BDAG and TDNT define πείθω primarily as “to persuade,” “to convince.” The verb in the present active indicative (πείθεις) typically denotes an ongoing action or state. In the context of Acts 26:28, it means “you are persuading” or “you convince.”

Translation Variants

The interpretive challenge of Acts 26:28 hinges on the rhetorical force of Agrippa’s utterance, particularly in light of the phrase ἐν ὀλίγῳ and the absence of explicit interrogative marking in the Greek. Grammatically, a sentence without an interrogative particle (such as μὴ or οὐ) and with a declarative verb form *can* still function as a question in Koine Greek, indicated by intonation in spoken language. However, in written form, this ambiguity often leads to different scholarly interpretations.

Grammatical Analysis:

• The verb πείθεις is a present active indicative, 2nd person singular. If it is a statement, it means “you are persuading.” If it is a question, it asks “are you persuading?”
• The infinitive ποιῆσαι (“to make”) complements πείθεις, indicating the result of the persuasion.
• The prepositional phrase ἐν ὀλίγῳ is the primary source of ambiguity.
• If taken temporally, “in a short time” or “so soon,” it suggests Agrippa is expressing surprise at how quickly Paul is attempting to persuade him, or how quickly he is being swayed. This reading often favors an interrogative or exclamatory interpretation.
• If taken quantitatively or adverbially, “with little effort,” “easily,” or “to a small extent,” it could imply sarcasm, a partial agreement, or a dismissive remark. This reading strongly supports a declarative interpretation.

Rhetorical Analysis:

• As a Question: Many scholars and early translations (e.g., King James Version “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian?”) interpret this as a rhetorical question, often implying astonishment or skepticism. The question “Are you in a short time persuading me to become a Christian?” or “Do you think you can so quickly persuade me to become a Christian?” could suggest Agrippa is either genuinely affected but wary, or sarcastically dismissing Paul’s swift approach as presumptuous. This interpretation highlights the dramatic tension of the scene.
• As a Statement: Modern translations and many scholars favor a declarative statement, such as “In a little while you will persuade me to become a Christian” or “With little effort you persuade me to be a Christian.” This could convey:
• Sarcasm/Dismissal: Agrippa dismisses Paul’s speech as having minimal impact, implying Paul’s efforts are insufficient or futile.
• Partial Agreement/Concession: Agrippa acknowledges Paul’s persuasive power to some degree, but perhaps not enough to fully convert. The context of Agrippa’s position as a Roman official, presiding over a trial, makes a full, immediate conversion unlikely, lending credence to an interpretation of a polite yet firm rejection or an acknowledgment of the rhetoric without full acceptance.
• The immediate context following this verse, where Agrippa concludes the hearing by stating Paul could have been set free if not for appealing to Caesar (Acts 26:32), suggests Agrippa’s primary concern remains legal and political, not spiritual conversion. This context somewhat weakens the argument for a genuine “almost persuaded” statement and favors either a rhetorical question or a polite dismissal.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The ambiguity of Acts 26:28 is a classic exegetical challenge, primarily due to the polysemy of ἐν ὀλίγῳ and the absence of explicit interrogative particles. While a grammatical argument can be made for a question (especially considering the flexibility of Greek sentence structure and intonation in oral delivery), the prevailing scholarly consensus and the broader narrative context often lean towards a declarative statement. However, the exact nuance of that statement—whether sarcastic, a concession, or a genuine expression of partial persuasion—remains open to interpretation.

Considering the historical and rhetorical context, Agrippa, a Hellenistic monarch, is unlikely to have been genuinely “almost persuaded” to convert to Christianity in a public judicial setting. His remark is more probably a polite but firm closure to Paul’s impassioned defense, either questioning the feasibility of Paul’s quick persuasion or acknowledging the *minimal* extent of it. The lack of textual variants further underscores that the interpretation rests on grammatical and contextual understanding.

Here are three possible translations reflecting the range of interpretations:

1. “In so little time, are you persuading me to become a Christian?”
   This translation emphasizes Agrippa’s surprise or rhetorical skepticism at the speed or brevity of Paul’s persuasive attempt, framing it as a question.
2. “With such little effort you are persuading me to become a Christian!”
   This version interprets ἐν ὀλίγῳ as “with little effort” or “to a small degree,” implying a sarcastic or dismissive statement where Agrippa acknowledges Paul’s skill but denies any significant personal impact.
3. “You are almost persuading me to become a Christian.”
   This reflects the traditional “almost” rendering, taking ἐν ὀλίγῳ to mean “to a small extent” or “nearly.” It portrays Agrippa as somewhat moved, yet ultimately not committed, suggesting a partial concession.