Acts 26:24
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
The verse belongs to Paul's defense while imprisoned, made before King Agrippa and other leading men, rulers, princes and nobles in a palace. In that setting the gospel was proclaimed before and heard by the great of the empire. As he thus speaks for himself, Festus interrupts him with a loud voice. Festus declares that Paul is beside himself, mad or insane, and blames much or great learning for driving him out of his senses.
Festus reacts this way because he cannot believe Paul's account of Jesus' resurrection and power to forgive sins and bring light to Jews and Gentiles. It is too much for him to believe. When interrupted, Paul is in the full tide of persuasive eloquence, dwelling on his favorite theme. He is giving the account of his wonderful experiences, visions, prophecies and message to a whole company that listens spell-bound.
Paul's address before Agrippa, even under interruption, is an example of dignified courtesy and persuasive eloquence. He maintained courtesy when Festus called him mad. The charge of madness is false, for Paul speaks words of truth and a sound mind. His learning does not make him irrational, for he speaks with sincerity and conviction about what he knows. What he declares concerns things publicly known and not done in secret, so his hearers cannot doubt his sincerity.
His testimony before the rulers impresses them and brings conviction. Some listen with amazement, while others put off deciding and so lose the opportunity. In bringing the gospel before princes and nobles while imprisoned, his defense parallels the later Reformation confession made before the lords of the empire.