Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
The question belongs to Paul's imprisoned defense before rulers and nobles, including King Agrippa, where in answer to the accusations brought against him he testified about Jesus and recounted his conversion. It arose in the dispute over Jesus, whom Festus described as one who had died while Paul affirmed that He was alive. It asks why it should be thought incredible that God should raise the dead, teaching that the resurrection of the dead is not incredible because God is able to raise the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus confirms that the dead can be raised, turning the resurrection from an impossible claim into a witnessed truth. Paul knew this from firsthand encounter, having seen and spoken with the crucified Jesus after He rose and ascended to heaven, which confirmed that Christ had broken the power and bands of death. Having seen and spoken with the risen Jesus, Paul testified that Christ had suffered and risen in fulfillment of what Moses and the prophets foretold.
Paul encountered the crucified and risen Jesus at Damascus as the other disciples had also seen Him, so he could not deny what he had witnessed. Being commanded to proclaim the risen Saviour, he testified in many places that people should repent, turn to God, and live in ways that show repentance. His testimony about Jesus before kings and governors brought conviction to his hearers, though many delayed responding. His public witness while imprisoned before rulers and nobles foreshadows the later proclamation of the gospel before the princes and nobles of the empire.
The question belongs to Paul's imprisoned defense before rulers and nobles, including King Agrippa, where in answer to the accusations brought against him he testified about Jesus and recounted his conversion. It arose in the dispute over Jesus, whom Festus described as one who had died while Paul affirmed that He was alive. It asks why it should be thought incredible that God should raise the dead, teaching that the resurrection of the dead is not incredible because God is able to raise the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus confirms that the dead can be raised, turning the resurrection from an impossible claim into a witnessed truth. Paul knew this from firsthand encounter, having seen and spoken with the crucified Jesus after He rose and ascended to heaven, which confirmed that Christ had broken the power and bands of death. Having seen and spoken with the risen Jesus, Paul testified that Christ had suffered and risen in fulfillment of what Moses and the prophets foretold.
Paul encountered the crucified and risen Jesus at Damascus as the other disciples had also seen Him, so he could not deny what he had witnessed. Being commanded to proclaim the risen Saviour, he testified in many places that people should repent, turn to God, and live in ways that show repentance. His testimony about Jesus before kings and governors brought conviction to his hearers, though many delayed responding. His public witness while imprisoned before rulers and nobles foreshadows the later proclamation of the gospel before the princes and nobles of the empire.