What does Acts 26:14 mean?
During Paul's conversion, Jesus promised Paul would bring the message of forgiveness and salvation before kings (Acts 9:15). Now, Paul is telling the story of his conversion to King Agrippa II.Paul had been a devout Pharisee, idolizing traditional views of the Mosaic law such that he hunted Christians. His goal was either convincing them to deny Christ or convincing the Sanhedrin to execute them for blasphemy (Acts 26:10–11). On Paul's way to arrest Jewish Christians in Damascus, Jesus appeared in a bright light that knocked Paul to the ground (Acts 9:3–4). The men with Paul heard the voice but didn't see Jesus (Acts 9:7).
Paul's phrase about kicking goads is not recorded in the original account in Acts 9. "Goads" is from the Greek root word kentron. These objects resembled a thick, short spear used to poke livestock, to encourage them to move (Judges 3:31). To kick against it is futile; the wielder can simply move it away and stab the ox in another spot. Likewise, there's no action Paul could take to keep God from directing him where He wanted him to go. The phrase was often used in Greek literature to mean it's useless to defy the gods.
Some early theologians suggest the "goads" were doubts Paul felt about Stephen's words (Acts 7) and his own convictions. This suggests that as Paul traveled to Damascus, he was already questioning whether what he was doing was right. His repeated comments that he had held a clear conscience his whole life (Acts 23:1; 24:16; 1 Corinthians 4:4) speak against the idea that he would act contrary to his conscience. The "goads," as in the Greek sense, are the Holy Spirit's nudging.
"Hebrew language" is also rendered "Hebrew dialect" and probably means Aramaic.
Acts 26:12–23 is Paul's testimony to King Agrippa II, Governor Festus, and the leaders of Caesarea Maritima, of how he started following Jesus. The audience wants to determine if Paul broke a law. Paul wants to offer reconciliation with God. Paul describes how he met Jesus on his way to persecute Christians in Damascus and accepted Jesus' commission to spread His offer of forgiveness to Jews and Gentiles. It is for this reason that the Sanhedrin wants him dead, not because he committed a crime. Paul's conversion is recorded in Acts 9:1–19.
Acts 26 records Paul's testimony before the noblemen of Caesarea Maritima, as well as their reactions. He explains that Jewish leaders want him dead because he once persecuted the church, but now believes Jesus rose from the dead and has been spreading that message. Governor Festus thinks Paul has gone mad. King Agrippa II, however, finds his story compelling. They realize that had Paul not appealed to a higher Roman court, they could have let him go.
