Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
The Defense, Interrupted by Festus, but only the more Impressively Continued and Triumphantly Concluded (26:1-29)
This speech, though in substance the same as that from the fortress-stairs of Jerusalem (Acts 22:1-30 ), differs from it in so far as it is less directed to meet the charge of apostasy from the Jewish Faith, and gives more enlarged views of his remarkable change and apostolic commission, and of the divine support under which he was enabled to brave the hostility of his countrymen. At the same time, as its details, together with those of Acts 22:1-30, have been considered in the exposition of Acts 9:1-43, it will be enough to refer the reader to that exposition, and the Remarks at its close; a few running remarks only being added here on particular verses.
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself - `of, or about, thyself,' according to what seems the true reading [peri ( G4012) in place of huper ( G5228)].
Then Paul stretched forth the hand. It is a peculiarity of this historian to notice postures, gestures, etc., (see Luke 1:22; Luke 1:41; Luke 4:16; Luke 4:39; Acts 9:39; Acts 9:41; Acts 20:9; Acts 20:37: particularly in introducing speeches, as Acts 1:15; Acts 2:14; Acts 3:4; Acts 5:17; Acts 10:34; Acts 12:17; Acts 13:9; Acts 13:16; Acts 14:9; Acts 17:22.
And answered for himself, [apelogeito (G626)] - 'made his defense.'