Agrippa

Overview

• Testament: New
• Role: King Agrippa II; heard Paul’s defense at Caesarea alongside Festus; told Paul “almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian”
• Family: Son of Herod Agrippa I; great-grandson of Herod the Great; sister Bernice
• Key Books: Acts

Biography

Marcus Julius Agrippa, known as Herod Agrippa II or simply King Agrippa in the New Testament, was the last of the Herodian dynasty to hold significant power. He was the son of Herod Agrippa I (who executed James the Apostle and imprisoned Peter in Acts 12) and the great-grandson of Herod the Great. He ruled various territories in the northern regions of Israel — Chalcis, then Philip’s former tetrarchy and territories of Lysanias — under Roman authority. He also had the honorific role of overseeing the Jerusalem temple and appointing its high priests, giving him significant involvement in Jewish religious affairs.

Agrippa II arrived in Caesarea with his sister Bernice to pay a courtesy visit to the new governor Festus. Festus used the occasion to consult him about Paul’s case, since Agrippa was knowledgeable in Jewish law and customs. Agrippa expressed interest in hearing Paul himself, and a grand formal hearing was arranged — a display of pomp described in Acts 25:23 with “great pomp” entering the audience hall with military commanders and prominent citizens.

Paul’s defense before Agrippa in Acts 26 is one of the longest and most theologically rich speeches in the book of Acts. Paul addressed Agrippa directly, acknowledging his expertise in Jewish matters, and moved through his conversion experience on the Damascus road and his subsequent mission. When Festus interrupted with the accusation of madness, Paul redirected to Agrippa: “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe” (Acts 26:27). Agrippa’s famous response — “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28, KJV: “almost thou persuadest me”) — reveals a man who grasped the logic of Paul’s argument but deflected with a remark that could be read as ironic, bemused, or seriously disturbed.

After the hearing, Agrippa told Festus privately that Paul could have been released had he not appealed to Caesar. His assessment was that Paul was innocent. Historically, Agrippa II supported Rome during the Jewish revolt of AD 66–70, advised the Jews not to rebel, and ended his days in Rome after Jerusalem was destroyed. He was the last monarch of the Herodian house.

Key Events

• Visits Caesarea with sister Bernice; Festus consults him about Paul (Acts 25:13–22)
• Presides over Paul’s formal hearing with Festus (Acts 25:23–26:1)
• Paul appeals to his knowledge of the prophets (Acts 26:27)
• Gives the famous reply “almost you persuade me” (Acts 26:28)
• Declares Paul innocent with Festus; notes he could have been freed (Acts 26:31–32)

Relationships

• Herod Agrippa I - father (executed James; see Acts 12)
• Bernice - sister, who accompanies him
• Herod the Great - great-grandfather
• Festus - Roman governor who consulted him
• Paul - the prisoner he heard and declared innocent

Important Verses

• Acts 26:27–28
• Acts 26:31–32

Cross-References

• Acts 25–26 - The formal hearing before Agrippa and Festus
• Acts 12 - His father Herod Agrippa I’s role in persecuting the church

Notes

• Agrippa’s response in Acts 26:28 has generated centuries of theological discussion about whether he was near or far from faith — the Greek “en oligo” can mean “in a little” (time) or “with little effort,” making the tone ambiguous
• His declaration of Paul’s innocence alongside Festus continues Luke’s pattern of Roman and Herodian officials repeatedly affirming that Christianity poses no political threat
• Agrippa II was the last Herodian king, and his career closed with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 — the very event Paul’s mission had been racing to warn against