Definition: And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Acts 26:30. It's a really important part of Paul’s testimony about his past. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes Paul’s reaction when he was being questioned by the Roman authorities about his faith and his beliefs. He’s essentially saying, “I’m admitting to things I once believed that were wrong.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And when he had thus spoken…” – This is a key part. "Thus spoke" means he was speaking something, and the word "thus" emphasizes that he’s making a clear statement. It’s like he’s offering an explanation or acknowledging something significant. “…the king rose up…” – This refers to the Roman King, who was in charge of the trial. He was the person who was holding Paul accountable. “…and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:” – This is a list of the people present at the trial. “They” likely includes other officials or people involved in the legal proceedings. So, putting it all together: Paul is saying that after he made a statement (which was important), he recognized his mistake. He acknowledged that he had previously believed something untrue and that he’s now admitting to that. It’s a moment of honesty and repentance. What does this tell us about Paul? This is significant because it shows: He wasn't perfect: He was struggling with his faith and past beliefs, which made him vulnerable to temptation. He was willing to admit his wrongdoings: It demonstrates a willingness to take responsibility for his actions. It’s part of his journey towards faith: This is a crucial step in Paul's transformation as he became a believer and devoted himself fully to Jesus Christ. In short, this verse describes a moment of honest acknowledgment when Paul was being questioned about his past beliefs. --- Would you like me to explain any of these parts further or perhaps delve into the context of the whole passage? For example, we could talk about: The importance of repentance. How this relates to Paul’s later life and mission.