Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 26:17

"delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee," — Acts 26:17 (ASV)

Delivering you from the people. From the Jewish people. This implied that he would be persecuted by them, and that the Lord Jesus would interpose to rescue him.

And from the Gentiles. This also implied that he would be persecuted and opposed by them—a prospect which was verified by the whole course of his ministry. Yet in all he experienced, according to the promise, the support and the protection of the Lord Jesus. This was expressed in a summary manner in Luke 9:16.

To whom now I send you (Acts 22:21). As the opposition of the Jews arose mainly from the fact that he had gone among the Gentiles, it was important to bring this part of his commission into full view before Agrippa, and to show that the same Savior who had miraculously converted him had commanded him to go and preach to them.