Acts 26:23 Meaning and Explanation
“That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul states the prophetic hope: that the Christ would suffer, rise first from the dead, and bring light to Israel and the Gentiles.
What Does Acts 26:23 Mean?
Paul names the heart of what the prophets foretold: that the Christ would suffer, would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to His own people and to the Gentiles alike.
Here is the gospel itself, the suffering, the resurrection, and the light spreading to all nations. The cross and the empty tomb are not departures from Scripture but its very fulfillment. The light that dawned in Christ is for every people, and Paul has given his life to carry it.
Acts 26:23 in the Original Language
pathetos (παθητός), 'subject to suffering' -- pointing to the Christ who was destined to suffer, as the prophets foretold.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 26:23
What does Acts 26:23 mean?
Paul states the prophetic hope: that the Christ would suffer, rise first from the dead, and bring light to Israel and the Gentiles.