{I know that thou believest} (oida hoti pisteueis). Paul
had "cornered" Agrippa by this direct challenge. As the Jew in
charge of the temple he was bound to confess his faith in the
prophets. But Paul had interpreted the prophets about the Messiah
in a way that fell in with his claim that Jesus was the Messiah
risen from the dead. To say, "Yes" would place himself in Paul's
hands. To say "No" would mean that he did not believe the
prophets. Agrippa had listened with the keenest interest, but he
slipped out of the coils with adroitness and a touch of humour.