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24 As Paul[a] was saying these things in his defense, Festus[b] exclaimed loudly, “You have lost your mind,[c] Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane!” 25 But Paul replied,[d] “I have not lost my mind, most excellent Festus,[e] but am speaking[f] true and rational[g] words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and I am speaking freely[h] to him,[i] because I cannot believe[j] that any of these things has escaped his notice,[k] for this was not done in a corner.[l]

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 26:24 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  2. Acts 26:24 sn See the note on Porcius Festus in 24:27.
  3. Acts 26:24 tn On the term translated “lost your mind” see BDAG 610 s.v. μαίνομαι, which has “you’re out of your mind, you’re raving, said to one whose enthusiasm seems to have outrun better judgment 26:24.”sn The expression “You have lost your mind” would be said to someone who speaks incredible things, in the opinion of the hearer. Paul’s mention of the resurrection (v. 23) was probably what prompted Festus to say this.
  4. Acts 26:25 tn Grk “said.”
  5. Acts 26:25 sn See the note on Porcius Festus in 24:27.
  6. Acts 26:25 tn Or “declaring.” BDAG 125 s.v. ἀποφθέγγομαι states, “speak out, declare boldly or loudly…τὶ: σωφροσύνης ῥήματα Ac 26:25.”
  7. Acts 26:25 tn BDAG 987 s.v. σωφροσύνη 1 has “gener. soundness of mind, reasonableness, rationalityἀληθείας καὶ σωφροσύνης ῥήματα true and rational words (opp. μαίνομαι) Ac 26:25.”
  8. Acts 26:26 tn BDAG 782 s.v. παρρησιάζομαι 1 states, “speak freely, openly, fearlessly…likew. in the ptc. w. a verb of saying foll.…παρρησιασάμενοι εἶπαν 13:46.—26:26.” This could refer to boldness in speaking here.
  9. Acts 26:26 tn Grk “to whom I am speaking freely.” The relative pronoun (“whom”) was replaced by the personal pronoun (“him”) to simplify the translation.
  10. Acts 26:26 tn Grk “I cannot convince myself.” BDAG 792 s.v. πείθω 3.a states, “οὐ πείθομαι w. acc. and inf. I cannot believe Ac 26:26” (see also BDAG 586 s.v. λανθάνω).
  11. Acts 26:26 tn BDAG 586 s.v. λανθάνω states, “λανθάνειν αὐτὸν τούτων οὐ πείθομαι οὐθέν I cannot bring myself to believe that any of these things has escaped his notice Ac 26:26.”
  12. Acts 26:26 tn This term refers to a hidden corner (BDAG 209 s.v. γωνία). Paul’s point is that these events to which he refers were not done in a secret, hidden place, tucked away outside of view. They were done in public for all the world to see.