Herod Agrippa II
Gentile Herodian dynasty (Idumean descent); king under Rome · Early Church · New Testament
- Also called
- Agrippa, King Agrippa
- Role
- King who heard Paul's defence at Caesarea
- When
- c. AD 59
What they did
With Bernice he came to greet Festus and heard Paul tell of his conversion; he said, 'Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian', and agreed that Paul might have been set free had he not appealed to Caesar.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Paul's testimony before him fulfilled the Lord's word that Paul would bear Christ's name before kings (Acts 9:15).
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts 26:28 (KJV)
Bible references
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cæsarea to salute Festus. Acts 25:13 (KJV)
Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth. Acts 25:22-23 (KJV)
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. Acts 26:1-3 (KJV)
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. Acts 26:27-29 (KJV)
Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar. Acts 26:32 (KJV)
Family
Bernice accompanied him (Acts 25:13); history records her as his sister and Herod Agrippa I as his father.