Verse 2-3 must be understood as the introduction to Paul’s defense. In Greek, these verses are the continuation of the sentence begun in verse 1. Although from all the things the Jews accuse me of is the first element in the Greek sentence order, it is difficult to reconstruct English naturally in this fashion; but see Phillips, who has tried to do so.

In the setting in which Paul was speaking, the word King would have been understood in a much lesser sense than the English word is understood today; however, there seems to be no better way to render the term for the English reader. The equivalent of this use of King is in a number of languages simply “an important chief.” He was certainly by no means “the head chief.”

I consider myself fortunate reminds one of 24.2, 3, 10, where the speaker indicates his good pleasure at being able to address a particular person or audience.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .