Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.” New Living Translation Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!” English Standard Version And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” Berean Standard Bible At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!” Berean Literal Bible Now of him making this defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Much learning turns you to insanity!” King James Bible And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. New King James Version Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” New American Standard Bible While Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you insane.” NASB 1995 While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.” NASB 1977 And while Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.” Legacy Standard Bible Now while Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Great learning is driving you out of your mind.” Amplified Bible While Paul was making this defense, Festus said loudly, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great education is turning you toward madness.” Berean Annotated Bible At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus (festival) exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul (humble)! Your great learning is driving you to madness! Christian Standard Bible As he was saying these things in his defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind, Paul! Too much study is driving you mad.” Holman Christian Standard Bible As he was making his defense this way, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind, Paul! Too much study is driving you mad!” American Standard Version And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad. Contemporary English Version Before Paul finished defending himself, Festus shouted, "Paul, you're crazy! Too much learning has driven you out of your mind." English Revised Version And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning doth turn thee to madness. GOD'S WORD® Translation As Paul was defending himself in this way, Festus shouted, "Paul, you're crazy! Too much education is driving you crazy!" Good News Translation As Paul defended himself in this way, Festus shouted at him, "You are mad, Paul! Your great learning is driving you mad!" International Standard Version As he continued his defense, Festus shouted, "You're out of your mind, Paul! Too much education is driving you crazy!" NET Bible As Paul was saying these things in his defense, Festus exclaimed loudly, "You have lost your mind, Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane!" New Heart English Bible As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are crazy. Your great learning is driving you insane." Webster's Bible Translation And as he was thus speaking for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee insane. Weymouth New Testament As Paul thus made his defence, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, "You are raving mad, Paul; and great learning is driving you mad." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAt this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!” World English Bible As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he thus making a defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “You are mad, Paul; much learning turns you mad!” Berean Literal Bible Now of him making this defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Much learning turns you to insanity!” Young's Literal Translation And, he thus making a defence, Festus with a loud voice said, 'Thou art mad, Paul; much learning doth turn thee mad;' Smith's Literal Translation And he defending himself by these, Festus said with a great voice, Thou art frenzied, Paul; many letters turn thee to madness. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAs he spoke these things, and made his answer, Festus said with a loud voice: Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee mad. Catholic Public Domain Version While he was speaking these things and presenting his defense, Festus said with a loud voice: “Paul, you are insane! Too much studying has turned you to insanity.” New American Bible While Paul was so speaking in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “You are mad, Paul; much learning is driving you mad.” New Revised Standard Version While he was making this defense, Festus exclaimed, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd while Paul was pleading in this manner, Festus cried with a loud voice: Paul, you are overwrought. Much study has made you mad. Aramaic Bible in Plain English “When Paulus had thus rendered a defense, Festus cried out with a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Much study has made you insane!” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd as he spoke these things in his defense, Festus said, with a loud voice; Paul, you are mad; much learning drives you to madness. Godbey New Testament And he making his defence to these things, Festus says with a loud voice, O Paul, thou art beside thyself; many writings turned thee into insanity. Haweis New Testament As thus he was proceeding in his defence, Festus with a loud voice said, Paul, thou art raving; much reading hath driven thee to madness. Mace New Testament As he was thus making his defence, Festus broke out into this exclamation, "Paul, you are mad: much study has turn'd your brain." Weymouth New Testament As Paul thus made his defence, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, "You are raving mad, Paul; and great learning is driving you mad." Worrell New Testament And, as he was saying these things in defense, Festus says with a loud voice, "Paul, you are mad! your much learning is turning you mad!" Worsley New Testament And as he was saying these things in his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning turns thy brain. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Festus Interrupts Paul's Defense23that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.” 24At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!” 25But Paul answered, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.… Cross References At this stage of Paul’s defense, Acts 24:10 When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense. 2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, Matthew 27:50 When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. John 11:43 After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” Revelation 5:12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” “You are insane, Paul! John 10:20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?” Mark 3:21 When His family heard about this, they went out to take custody of Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.” Acts 12:15 “You are out of your mind,” they told her. But when she kept insisting it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.” Your great learning is driving you to madness!” 2 Timothy 3:7 who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Ecclesiastes 12:12 And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body. 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? Acts 22:1-3 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” / When they heard him speak to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet. Then Paul declared, / “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel in strict conformity to the law of our fathers. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. Acts 9:1-6 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest / and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. / As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. … Acts 22:6-10 About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. / I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’ / ‘Who are You, Lord?’ I asked. ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. … Acts 9:19-22 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. / Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.” / All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” … Treasury of Scripture And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad. spake. Acts 22:1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. Festus. Acts 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. Acts 25:19,20 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive… Paul. Acts 26:11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 2 Kings 9:11 Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man, and his communication. Jeremiah 29:26 The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks. Jump to Previous Crazy Defence Defense Driving Exclaimed Festus Great Head Insane Learning Loud Mad Mad Madness Making Mind Paul Paul's Point Raving Speaking Thyself Turning Turns Unbalanced Voice WordsJump to Next Crazy Defence Defense Driving Exclaimed Festus Great Head Insane Learning Loud Mad Mad Madness Making Mind Paul Paul's Point Raving Speaking Thyself Turning Turns Unbalanced Voice WordsActs 26 1. Paul, in the presence of Agrippa, declares his life from his childhood;12. and how miraculously he was converted, and called to his apostleship. 24. Festus charges him with being insane, whereunto he answers modestly. 28. Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian. 31. The whole company pronounces him innocent. At this stage of Paul’s defense Paul is presenting his defense before King Agrippa, Bernice, and the Roman governor Festus. This is part of a series of trials Paul faces after being arrested in Jerusalem. The setting is significant as it highlights the tension between Jewish religious leaders and Roman authorities. Paul’s defense is not just legal but also a testimony of his faith and mission. Festus exclaimed in a loud voice “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!” Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who is giving his defense before King Agrippa and Festus. Paul is known for his extensive missionary journeys and his role in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. 2. Festus The Roman governor who succeeded Felix. He is presiding over Paul's trial and is perplexed by Paul's testimony and defense. 3. King Agrippa Herod Agrippa II, the Jewish king who is present at Paul's defense. He is familiar with Jewish customs and the prophets. 4. Caesarea The location where Paul is being held and where this trial is taking place. It was an important city in Roman Judea. 5. Paul’s Defense The event where Paul is defending himself against accusations and sharing his testimony of conversion and mission. Teaching Points The Perception of the GospelThe Gospel message can appear as foolishness or madness to those who do not believe. This should not deter believers from sharing their faith boldly. The Cost of Discipleship Following Christ may lead to misunderstandings and accusations from the world. Believers should be prepared to face such challenges with grace and truth. The Power of Testimony Personal testimonies, like Paul's, are powerful tools in witnessing. Sharing how Christ has transformed our lives can impact others, even if they initially react with skepticism. Boldness in Witnessing Paul’s courage in speaking the truth, even when accused of madness, is an example for believers to stand firm in their faith regardless of opposition. Understanding and Wisdom True wisdom and understanding come from God. Believers should seek to grow in their knowledge of God’s Word, even if the world does not understand. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 26:24?2. How does Acts 26:24 illustrate the world's view of Christian beliefs? 3. What can we learn from Paul's response to Festus in Acts 26:24? 4. How does Acts 26:24 connect to 1 Corinthians 1:18 about wisdom and folly? 5. How should we respond when our faith is dismissed as "insane"? 6. What steps can we take to remain steadfast when facing ridicule for our faith? 7. Why did Festus accuse Paul of being insane in Acts 26:24? 8. How does Acts 26:24 challenge the credibility of Paul's testimony? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Acts 26:24? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 26? 11. Does Festus’s accusation in Acts 26:24 suggest that Paul’s claims are too extraordinary to be taken seriously? 12. Who was Porcius Festus in biblical history? 13. Why do the charges against Paul in Acts 25:7 remain vague, and how does this ambiguity align or conflict with other New Testament accounts of similar trials? 14. Acts 24:27 notes Felix left Paul imprisoned to appease the Jews; does archeological or historical data confirm this reported political concession? What Does Acts 26:24 Mean At this stage of Paul’s defense• Paul has been laying out a meticulous eyewitness account of his conversion and mission (Acts 26:1–23). • He speaks openly before both Agrippa and Festus, just as Jesus promised His followers would testify before kings (Luke 21:12–13). • The moment comes after Paul declares that Christ suffered, rose from the dead, and now proclaims light to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 26:22–23), a statement that strikes at the heart of pagan and Jewish objections alike. Festus exclaimed in a loud voice • Festus, the Roman governor (Acts 24:27), interrupts the proceedings abruptly. His loud outburst shows impatience with spiritual matters he regards as outside the realm of Roman jurisprudence. • Earlier he admitted to Agrippa that the accusations against Paul were not crimes under Roman law (Acts 25:18–19). Now, unable to dismiss the supernatural claims, he vents frustration instead. • Similar hostile reactions meet gospel truth elsewhere: pagan philosophers mock resurrection talk in Athens (Acts 17:32), and Pilate raises his voice to silence Jesus’ accusers (John 18:38). You are insane, Paul! • Labeling Paul “insane” echoes how Jesus’ own relatives once said, “He is out of His mind” (Mark 3:21). • Unbelief often brands spiritual revelation as madness: “He has a demon and is insane—why listen to Him?” (John 10:20). • Paul himself later notes that the message of the cross is “foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Festus’ cry therefore exposes the natural mind’s inability to grasp spiritual truth without the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14). Your great learning is driving you to madness! • Festus acknowledges Paul’s education under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) but twists it into a liability. • Rather than seeing scholarship and faith in harmony, the governor assumes too much study has unhinged Paul—an ancient version of the “ivory tower” accusation. • Peter comments that some twist Paul’s writings because they are “hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:15–16); Festus skips that step and declares the author irrational. • Paul counters in the next verse, “I am not insane… what I am saying is true and reasonable” (Acts 26:25), asserting both the rationality and veracity of the gospel. summary Festus’ outburst in Acts 26:24 shows the collision between worldly reasoning and the revealed truth of Christ’s resurrection. Confronted with a clear, logical, eyewitness testimony, the Roman governor resorts to name-calling, exposing his own spiritual blindness. Paul remains calm, confident that the gospel is both true and reasonable, reminding every believer that opposition—even ridicule—cannot overturn the factual reality and rational soundness of God’s redemptive plan. (24) Festus said with a loud voice.--The description may be noted as one of the touches of vividness indicating that the writer relates what he had actually heard. The Roman governor forgot the usual dignity of his office, and burst, apparently, into a loud laugh of scorn.Much learning doth make thee mad.--The Greek gives a neuter plural: Thy many writings are turning thee to madness. The word was one which was used by the Jews for the collected body of their sacred writings and traditions, as in the "letters" of John 7:15 and the "holy Scriptures" of 2Timothy 3:15. Festus had probably heard the Law and the Prophets of Israel so described, and knew that St. Paul had with him "books and parchments" (2Timothy 4:13), which he was continually studying. That one who had been crucified should rise from the dead and give light to the Gentiles seemed to him the very hallucination of insanity. So have men at all times thought of those who lived after a higher law than their own, whether their faith rested, as in St. Paul's case, on an outward objective fact, or, as in Wisdom Of Solomon 5:4, on a true faith in the Unseen. Verse 24. - Made his defense for spake for himself, A.V. (ἀπολογουμένου, as ver. 2); saith for said, A.V.; mad for beside thyself, A.V.; thy much for much, A.V.; turn thee to madness for make thee mad, A.V. With a loud voice. Another detail, betraying the eyewitness of the scene described. Thou art mad (μαίνῃ); Acts 12:15; John 10:20; 1 Corinthians 14:23. Much learning (τὰ πολλά γράμματα). So John 7:15, "How knoweth this man letters (γράμματα)?" is equivalent to Whence hath this man this wisdom? (Matthew 13:54). And ἀγράμματος ιν Acts 4:13 is "unlearned." The excited interruption by Festus shows that he was unable to accept the truths enunciated by the apostle. The ideas of fulfilled prophecy, and of the resurrection of the dead, and of a crucified Jew giving light to the great Roman world, were" foolishness unto him," because he lacked spiritual discernment. He thought the apostle's glowing words must be the outcome of a disordered mind. Turn thee to madness (εἰς μανίαν περιτρέπει). The word μανία (mania) occurs only here in the New Testament. But it is the technical name in medical writers for the disease of μανία, mania, and is also common in classical writers. The verb for "doth turn" (περιτρέπει) is also peculiar to St. Luke, being found only in this place. It is used by Plato, but specially by medical writers, as is also the substantive formed from it, περιτροπή, spoken of the "turn" taken by a disease, and the simple verb τρέπει and τρέπεται: e.g. ἔτρεψε γνώμην ἐς μανίην: ἐς σκυθρωππὸν ἡ μανίη τρέπεται: τοῖς μαινομένοισι ἄλλοτε μὲν ἐς ὀῤγὴν ἄλλοτε δὲ ἐς θυμηδίαν (mirth) ἡγνώμη τρέπεται, etc. (Hobart, p. 468).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek At this stageΤαῦτα (Tauta) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. of [Paul’s] αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. defense, ἀπολογουμένου (apologoumenou) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 626: To give a defense, defend myself (especially in a law court): it can take an object of what is said in defense. Festus Φῆστος (Phēstos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5347: Festus. Of Latin derivation; festal; Phestus, a Roman. exclaimed φησιν (phēsin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 5346: To say, declare. Properly, the same as the base of phos and phaino; to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e. Speak or say. in a loud μεγάλῃ (megalē) Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense. voice, φωνῇ (phōnē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language. “You are insane, Μαίνῃ (Mainē) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 3105: To be raving mad, speak as a madman. Middle voice from a primary mao; to rave as a 'maniac'. Paul! Παῦλε (Paule) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle. [Your] τὰ (ta) Article - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. great πολλά (polla) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 4183: Much, many; often. learning γράμματα (grammata) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 1121: From grapho; a writing, i.e. A letter, note, epistle, book, etc. plural learning. is driving περιτρέπει (peritrepei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4062: To turn round, turn, change. From peri and the base of trope; to turn around, i.e. to craze. you σε (se) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. to εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. madness!” μανίαν (manian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3130: Raving madness, frenzy, insanity. From mainomai; craziness. Links Acts 26:24 NIVActs 26:24 NLT Acts 26:24 ESV Acts 26:24 NASB Acts 26:24 KJV Acts 26:24 BibleApps.com Acts 26:24 Biblia Paralela Acts 26:24 Chinese Bible Acts 26:24 French Bible Acts 26:24 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 26:24 As he thus made his defense Festus (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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