Luke continues the legal-defense section of Acts, showing Paul’s case transferred from Felix to Festus and then introduced before King Agrippa.
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Acts 25
Paul Appeals to Caesar and Is Set Before Agrippa
Acts 25 shows that Paul’s appeal to Caesar is the providential legal path by which the Lord’s promise of witness in Rome moves forward, even though no valid charge deserving death is found against Him.
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Chapter Summary
Acts 25 shows that Paul’s appeal to Caesar is the providential legal path by which the Lord’s promise of witness in Rome moves forward, even though no valid charge deserving death is found against Him.
Overview
Acts 25 argues that God advances His mission through Roman legal process despite Jewish hostility and political compromise. Paul remains innocent of provable crimes against the law, temple, or Caesar. Festus’s desire to please the Jews creates danger, so Paul appeals to Caesar. The heart of the controversy is revealed by Festus Himself: Paul claims that Jesus, though dead, is alive.
Context
Theophilus and the wider church are being shown that Paul remains legally innocent of the accusations against Him, yet God uses Roman legal process to move His witness toward Caesar and Rome.
Acts 25 takes place primarily in Caesarea after Porcius Festus succeeds Felix as governor. Festus travels to Jerusalem, returns to Caesarea, hears Paul’s case, receives Paul’s appeal to Caesar, and later consults King Agrippa and Bernice about how to explain Paul’s case to the emperor.
Acts 25 shows that Paul’s appeal to Caesar is the providential legal path by which the Lord’s promise of witness in Rome moves forward, even though no valid charge deserving death is found against Him.
Luke continues the legal-defense section of Acts, showing Paul’s case transferred from Felix to Festus and then introduced before King Agrippa.
Theophilus and the wider church are being shown that Paul remains legally innocent of the accusations against Him, yet God uses Roman legal process to move His witness toward Caesar and Rome.
Acts 25 takes place primarily in Caesarea after Porcius Festus succeeds Felix as governor. Festus travels to Jerusalem, returns to Caesarea, hears Paul’s case, receives Paul’s appeal to Caesar, and later consults King Agrippa and Bernice about how to explain Paul’s case to the emperor.
Social Pressure
- Paul remains imprisoned. Jewish leaders renew their accusations and secretly request that Paul be transferred to Jerusalem so they can ambush Him. Festus seeks political favor and does not fully understand the religious dispute. Paul must use His Roman right of appeal to avoid injustice and continue toward Rome.
Roman citizens could appeal to Caesar under certain circumstances. Festus, newly appointed, needs to manage relations with Jerusalem’s leadership while also maintaining Roman legal order. Agrippa, familiar with Jewish matters, becomes a useful consultant for Festus, who must send a clear statement of charges with Paul to the emperor.
Acts 25 advances the Lord’s promise in Acts 23:11 that Paul must testify in Rome. The appeal to Caesar becomes the legal mechanism by which Paul will be sent to the imperial center. The chapter also prepares for Paul’s major defense before Agrippa in Acts 26.
Chapter Movement
Festus inherits Paul’s case, the Jerusalem leaders renew their plan against Paul, Paul defends His innocence and appeals to Caesar, Festus consults Agrippa, and Paul is placed before royal and military authorities so His testimony may be heard.
Discourse Insight
Theological exposition and fulfillment
Acts 25 clarifies the gospel by showing that the real controversy is Jesus’ resurrection. Paul is not guilty of crimes against law, temple, or Caesar. His offense is that He proclaims Jesus alive. The appeal to Caesar becomes the means by which that testimony will move toward Rome.
Structural Flow
Jewish leaders quickly press Festus to transfer Paul, secretly intending to ambush and kill Him.
Paul is accused again, but the charges cannot be proven, and He denies wrongdoing against law, temple, or Caesar.
Because Festus is willing to favor the Jews by moving the case to Jerusalem, Paul invokes His right to appeal to Caesar.
Festus explains that the case concerns Jewish religion and Jesus, whom Paul claims is alive.
Paul is brought before Agrippa, Bernice, military officers, and city leaders because Festus needs definite charges to send with Him to Caesar.
Chapter Outline
- 1: Festus begins His governorship and quickly travels from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
- 2-3: The chief priests and Jewish leaders ask Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem while secretly planning an ambush.
- 4-5: Festus refuses immediate transfer and tells the leaders to come to Caesarea to bring charges.
- 6: Festus returns to Caesarea, convenes the court, and orders Paul brought in.
- 7: The Jerusalem accusers bring many serious charges against Paul but cannot prove them.
- 8: Paul states He has not sinned against Jewish law, the temple, or Caesar.
- 9: Festus asks whether Paul is willing to be tried in Jerusalem, revealing political pressure.
- 10-12: Paul insists He belongs before Caesar’s court, refuses unlawful handover, and appeals to Caesar.
- 13: King Agrippa and Bernice come to Caesarea to greet Festus.
- 14-21: Festus tells Agrippa that Paul’s case centers on Jewish religion and a dead man named Jesus whom Paul claims is alive.
- 22: Agrippa expresses interest in hearing Paul personally.
- 23: Paul is brought before Agrippa, Bernice, military commanders, and prominent city leaders.
- 24-25: Festus states that the Jews demand Paul’s death, but He has found nothing deserving death.
- 26-27: Festus brings Paul before Agrippa because it is unreasonable to send a prisoner without definite charges.
Theological Argument
Acts 25 argues that God advances His mission through Roman legal process despite Jewish hostility and political compromise. Paul remains innocent of provable crimes against the law, temple, or Caesar. Festus’s desire to please the Jews creates danger, so Paul appeals to Caesar. The heart of the controversy is revealed by Festus Himself: Paul claims that Jesus, though dead, is alive.
- 1.Festus inherits Paul’s unresolved case from Felix, showing that unjust delay carries over into the next administration.
- 2.The Jewish leaders quickly renew their hostility, indicating that opposition to Paul has not cooled after two years.
- 3.Their request to transfer Paul to Jerusalem is not a pursuit of justice but part of a murder plot.
- 4.Festus initially preserves legal order by requiring the accusers to come to Caesarea.
- 5.The accusers present many serious charges, but they cannot prove them.
- 6.Paul denies wrongdoing against the Jewish law, the temple, and Caesar, addressing religious, cultic, and political categories.
- 7.Festus’s desire to do the Jews a favor reintroduces danger through political calculation.
- 8.Paul’s appeal to Caesar is not an escape from witness but the lawful means that moves him toward Rome.
- 9.Paul does not refuse death if truly guilty, showing his respect for justice.
- 10.Paul refuses to be handed over to false accusers, showing that Christian suffering is not the same as submitting to lawless manipulation.
- 11.Festus’s consultation confirms that Paul’s appeal is legally binding.
- 12.Agrippa’s arrival creates another platform for Paul’s testimony.
- 13.Festus’s explanation to Agrippa unintentionally clarifies the real issue: Jesus, whom Paul claims is alive.
- 14.Festus cannot properly write charges because Paul has not committed a clear crime under Roman law.
- 15.The public pomp of Agrippa’s hearing contrasts with Paul’s chained status, yet Paul is the bearer of resurrection truth.
- 16.Festus admits before the assembly that Paul has done nothing deserving death.
- 17.The need to formulate charges creates the occasion for Paul’s next major gospel defense in Acts 26.
- 18.The Lord’s promise that Paul must testify in Rome continues to unfold through legal complexity.
Theological Focus
- Providence through legal appeal
- The Lord’s promise of Rome moving forward
- False accusation without proof
- Political favor versus justice
- Paul’s innocence before Jewish and Roman charges
- Respect for lawful judgment
- Refusal of unlawful handover
- Jesus’ resurrection as the central controversy
- Witness before kings and rulers
- Roman recognition that Paul deserves no death sentence
- God’s mission advancing through custody
- Preparation for Paul’s defense before Agrippa
- Resurrection of Jesus
- Providence
- Witness Before Rulers
- Innocence of Criminal Charges
- Lawful Appeal
- Justice
- Political Compromise
- False Accusation
Covenant Significance
Acts 25 continues to show that Paul’s controversy arises from Israel’s hope fulfilled in Jesus’ resurrection. Festus, though an outsider, accurately senses that the dispute is religious and centers on Jesus being alive. The witness that began among Israel now moves through Gentile courts toward Caesar.
Old Testament Connections
- Paul denies wrongdoing against the Jewish law, showing He is not an enemy of Israel’s Scriptures.
- Paul denies desecrating the temple, showing the temple accusations remain unproven.
- Paul denies wrongdoing against Caesar, showing the gospel is not criminal sedition.
- Festus describes the dispute as involving Jewish religion and Jesus’ claimed resurrection.
- The resurrection of Jesus remains the central issue beneath the legal confusion.
- Paul’s appeal to Caesar moves the witness from Jewish leadership to Gentile imperial authority.
- Agrippa’s involvement prepares for a defense before someone familiar with Jewish matters.
- The gospel advances from Jerusalem toward Rome according to Christ’s stated purpose.
- The issue of resurrection continues the Old Testament-rooted hope of God raising the dead.
- The accusation concerning law and temple reflects ongoing covenant-transition tensions.
- Witness before rulers aligns with the biblical pattern of God’s servants testifying before kings.
- False accusation against God’s servant continues a recurring biblical pattern.
Canonical Connections
Paul’s appeal to Caesar advances the Lord’s promise that He must testify in Rome.
Paul’s appearance before Agrippa fulfills the Lord’s word that Paul would bear His name before kings.
Festus’s summary points to the resurrection as the heart of Paul’s message.
Roman officials repeatedly find no death-worthy crime in Paul, echoing the pattern of unjust accusation against faithful witnesses.
Paul’s use of Roman legal rights continues a pattern of lawful appeal preserving gospel witness.
The renewed plan against Paul continues the pattern of hostility and failed plots against God’s servants.
Cross References
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that...
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I...
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him. He is ‘the stone which was regarded...
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. It will turn out as a testimony for you.
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ,
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
So as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome.
Clarifies how the passage points to the gospel of Christ.
who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Shows Old Testament grounding that frames or supports this passage.
Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise him. He has caused him to suffer. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he will see his offspring. He will prolong his days and Yahweh’s pleasure will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his...
Shows Old Testament grounding that frames or supports this passage.
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and Yahweh’s glory has risen on you. For, behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but Yahweh will arise on you, and his glory shall be seen on you. Nations will come to...
Shows Old Testament grounding that frames or supports this passage.
The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
Shows Old Testament grounding that frames or supports this passage.
Shows Old Testament grounding that frames or supports this passage.
Shows Old Testament grounding that frames or supports this passage.
Provides immediate literary context around the same argument flow.
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.” He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have...
Provides immediate literary context around the same argument flow.
Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him, asking a favor against him, that...
Provides immediate literary context around the same argument flow.
Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus. As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; about whom,...
Provides immediate literary context around the same argument flow.
So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. Festus...
Provides immediate literary context around the same argument flow.
Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense. “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you today concerning all the things that I am accused by...
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear,
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil.
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News,
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.”
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
The king rose up with the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them. When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.” Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have...
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers, which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa! Why is it judged...
Develops the same theological theme in another location.
When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
Gospel Clarity
Acts 25 clarifies the gospel by showing that the real controversy is Jesus’ resurrection. Paul is not guilty of crimes against law, temple, or Caesar. His offense is that He proclaims Jesus alive. The appeal to Caesar becomes the means by which that testimony will move toward Rome.
Gospel Guardrails
- Paul denies wrongdoing against Jewish law.
- Paul denies wrongdoing against the temple.
- Paul denies wrongdoing against Caesar.
- The serious accusations cannot be proven.
- Paul is willing to face death if truly guilty.
- Paul refuses unlawful handover to false accusers.
- Paul appeals to Caesar.
- Festus identifies the core issue as Jesus, who died, but whom Paul claims is alive.
- Paul is repeatedly found not deserving death.
- The hearing before Agrippa prepares another gospel testimony.
- The Lord’s promise of Rome advances through Roman appeal.
- Do not treat the resurrection as a side issue.
- Do not confuse gospel witness with civil criminality.
- Do not assume all religious accusations are truthful.
- Do not pursue political favor at the expense of justice.
- Do not confuse willingness to suffer with refusal to use lawful rights.
- Do not mistake delay for divine absence.
- Do not miss providence because it comes through legal procedure.
Gospel Cross References
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that...
At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I...
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.”
saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him. He is ‘the stone which was regarded...
But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for my name’s sake. It will turn out as a testimony for you.
so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ,
So as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome.
who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Primary Emphasis
Acts 25 presents the living Jesus as the real center of Paul’s case. Festus summarizes the dispute as concerning a dead man named Jesus whom Paul claims is alive. This outsider summary highlights the resurrection as the decisive issue driving Paul’s imprisonment and appeal.
Chapter Contribution
Acts 25 argues that God advances His mission through Roman legal process despite Jewish hostility and political compromise. Paul remains innocent of provable crimes against the law, temple, or Caesar. Festus’s desire to please the Jews creates danger, so Paul appeals to Caesar. The heart of the controversy is revealed by Festus Himself: Paul claims that Jesus, though dead, is alive.
Doctrines in This Chapter
The gospel is proclaimed without fear before rulers.
The controversy is ultimately about the person of Jesus.
Civil authorities repeatedly find no capital crime.
Paul maintains innocence before civil authority.
Believers may lawfully assert rights within just systems.
Appeal to Caesar aligns with Christ’s prior promise.
God uses political transitions to accomplish His purposes.
God uses rulers and hearings to extend testimony.
The legal process moves Paul closer to Rome.
Christian faith withstands open examination.
Christian testimony is not hidden but examined openly.
The living Jesus is the defining claim of Christianity.
Doctrinal Weight
Festus identifies the central dispute as Paul’s claim that Jesus, though dead, is alive.
God uses Festus, legal hearings, appeal rights, and Agrippa’s curiosity to advance Paul toward Rome.
Paul’s case brings Him before Festus, Agrippa, Bernice, military officers, and prominent leaders.
Paul is repeatedly shown to have done nothing deserving death.
Paul appeals to Caesar when Festus considers sending Him to Jerusalem.
Paul insists on proper trial before Caesar’s court and refuses unlawful handover.
Festus’s desire to do the Jews a favor threatens justice.
Paul’s accusers bring serious charges they cannot prove.
Reading Lenses
Theological exposition and fulfillment
- Acts 25 clarifies the gospel by showing that the real controversy is Jesus’ resurrection. Paul is not guilty of crimes against law, temple, or Caesar. His offense is that He proclaims Jesus alive. The appeal to Caesar becomes the means by which that testimony will move toward Rome.
Key Greek Terms
Sense Province
Definition Festus arrives in the province and begins governing.
References Acts 25:1
Lexicon Province
Why it matters Paul’s case is now under a new Roman provincial authority.
Individual words περισσότερον αἰτήσουσιν perissoteron aitēsousin · charis kai gnōsis charis / gnōsis
Form in passage Present · Middle · Participle · Plural What is this?
Sense Ask a favor
Definition Jewish leaders ask Festus for a favor against Paul.
References Acts 25:3
Lexicon Ask a favor
Why it matters The request masks a murder plot under the appearance of legal procedure.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense Ambush, trap
Definition The leaders plan an ambush to kill Paul.
References Acts 25:3
Lexicon Ambush, trap
Why it matters Human hostility continues trying to stop the Lord’s promised witness.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Infinitive What is this?
Sense Kill, do away with
Definition The ambush aims to kill Paul.
References Acts 25:3
Lexicon Kill, do away with
Why it matters The conspiracy threatens Paul’s life but cannot overturn Christ’s promise.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense Judgment seat, tribunal
Definition Festus sits on the judgment seat to hear Paul’s case.
References Acts 25:6, 10, 17
Lexicon Judgment seat, tribunal
Why it matters Paul’s gospel witness continues in formal Roman court settings.
Sense Charges, accusations
Definition Paul’s accusers bring many serious charges.
References Acts 25:7
Lexicon Charges, accusations
Why it matters The narrative emphasizes that the accusations cannot be proven.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Infinitive What is this?
Sense Prove, demonstrate
Definition The accusers cannot prove their charges.
References Acts 25:7
Lexicon Prove, demonstrate
Why it matters Paul’s legal innocence is strengthened by lack of evidence.
Form in passage Present · Middle · Participle · Singular What is this?
Sense Defend oneself, answer
Definition Paul defends himself against accusations.
References Acts 25:8
Lexicon Defend oneself, answer
Why it matters His legal defense becomes continued witness to truth.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Singular What is this?
Sense Sin, do wrong, offend
Definition Paul denies wrongdoing against law, temple, or Caesar.
References Acts 25:8
Lexicon Sin, do wrong, offend
Why it matters Paul rejects the moral and legal basis of the accusations.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Caesar, emperor
Definition Paul appeals to Caesar’s court.
References Acts 25:8, 10-12, 21
Lexicon Caesar, emperor
Why it matters The appeal becomes the legal route to Rome.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense Favor, goodwill
Definition Festus wants to do the Jews a favor.
References Acts 25:9
Lexicon Favor, goodwill
Why it matters Political favor threatens justice and Paul’s safety.
Sense Appeal to, call upon
Definition Paul appeals to Caesar.
References Acts 25:11-12
Lexicon Appeal to, call upon
Why it matters Paul uses lawful appeal to prevent unjust handover and advance toward Rome.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense Council, advisory body
Definition Festus confers with his council before accepting the appeal.
References Acts 25:12
Lexicon Council, advisory body
Why it matters Paul’s appeal is formally recognized through Roman procedure.
Sense King
Definition King Agrippa arrives and later hears Paul.
References Acts 25:13-14, 24
Lexicon King
Why it matters Paul’s witness moves before rulers as Jesus foretold.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense Religion, superstition, reverence
Definition Festus says the dispute concerns their own religion.
References Acts 25:19
Lexicon Religion, superstition, reverence
Why it matters Festus recognizes the issue is theological, though He does not understand it fully.
Sense Jesus
Definition Festus identifies the dispute as concerning Jesus.
References Acts 25:19
Lexicon Jesus
Why it matters The living Jesus is the true center of the case.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Present · Active · Infinitive What is this?
Sense Live, be alive
Definition Paul claims Jesus is alive.
References Acts 25:19
Lexicon Live, be alive
Why it matters The resurrection is the central gospel claim beneath the legal dispute.
Sense Augustus, emperor
Definition Paul asks to be held for the emperor’s decision.
References Acts 25:21, 25
Lexicon Augustus, emperor
Why it matters The case is moving toward imperial adjudication.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense Pomp, display, pageantry
Definition Agrippa and Bernice enter with great pomp.
References Acts 25:23
Lexicon Pomp, display, pageantry
Why it matters Luke contrasts worldly grandeur with Paul’s humble but true witness.
Form in passage Dative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense Military commanders, tribunes
Definition Military commanders attend Agrippa’s hearing.
References Acts 25:23
Lexicon Military commanders, tribunes
Why it matters Paul’s witness is placed before high-ranking military authority.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense Prominence, eminence
Definition Prominent men of the city attend the hearing.
References Acts 25:23
Lexicon Prominence, eminence
Why it matters The gospel witness stands before civic elites.
Individual words οὐκ ἦν ἄξιος ὁ κόσμος ouk ēn axios ho kosmos · ἀποθνῄσκω / νεκρός / θάνατος apothnēskō / nekros / thanatos
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense Worthy of death, deserving death
Definition Festus finds Paul has done nothing deserving death.
References Acts 25:25
Lexicon Worthy of death, deserving death
Why it matters Paul’s legal innocence is publicly affirmed again.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense Certain, definite, secure
Definition Festus has nothing definite to write about Paul.
References Acts 25:26
Lexicon Certain, definite, secure
Why it matters The lack of clear charges exposes the weakness of the case.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Feminine What is this?
Sense Charge, reason, cause
Definition Festus says it is unreasonable to send a prisoner without specifying charges.
References Acts 25:27
Lexicon Charge, reason, cause
Why it matters The procedural problem highlights Paul’s innocence and Festus’s uncertainty.
Lexicon data: MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML (CC0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (CC BY 4.0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon (CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible Data (CC BY 4.0) · Full details
Discourse Connectives (31)
grounds / explanation 1inference / conclusion 6conditional clause 4content marker or causal 2continuation or mild contrast 15contrast setup (μέν...δέ) 2additive / emphatic 1
| v.1 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.4 | μὲνIndeedcontrast setup (μέν...δέ)The μέν...δέ pair is a rhetorical hinge. Both sides matter equally.οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.5 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff.εἴifconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical. |
| v.6 | δὲthencontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.7 | δὲthencontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.8 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.9 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.10 | δὲthencontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.11 | εἰIfconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical.μὲνindeedcontrast setup (μέν...δέ)The μέν...δέ pair is a rhetorical hinge. Both sides matter equally.οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff.εἰIfconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical.δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.13 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.14 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.16 | ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.17 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.19 | δέhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.20 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.εἰifconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical. |
| v.21 | δὲButcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.22 | δὲthencontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.δέnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.23 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.24 | ΚαίAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.25 | δὲhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.δὲandcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.27 | γάρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
Discourse data: STEPBible TAGNT (CC BY 4.0)
Verb Aspect (116 main verbs)
completed 21ongoing 13prospective 2resultant 2imperative 1subjunctive 4optative 3background 9infinitive 25participle 36
| v.1 | ἐπιβὰςepibaínōarrivedaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀνέβηwent upaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.2 | ἐνεφάνισάνemphanízōbrought chargesaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionπαρεκάλουνparakaléōurgingimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past action |
| v.3 | αἰτούμενοιaskingpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionμεταπέμψηταιmetapémpōsummonaorist middle subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentποιοῦντεςpoiéōpreparingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀνελεῖνkillaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.4 | ἀπεκρίθηansweredaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionτηρεῖσθαιtēréōkeptpresent passive infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbμέλλεινméllōwas about topresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἐκπορεύεσθαιekporeúomaigopresent middle infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.5 | φησίνphēmísaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthσυγκαταβάντεςsynkatabaínōgo down withaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκατηγορείτωσανkatēgoréōaccusepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.6 | Διατρίψαςdiatríbōstayedaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκαταβὰςkatabaínōwent downaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκαθίσαςkathízōtook ~ seataorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐκέλευσενkeleúōorderedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἀχθῆναιbroughtaorist passive infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.7 | παραγενομένουparagínomaiarrivedaorist middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionπεριέστησανperiḯstēmistood aroundaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionκαταβεβηκότεςkatabaínōcome downperfect active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκαταφέροντεςkataphérōbringing ~ againstpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἴσχυονischýōcouldimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionἀποδεῖξαιproveaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.8 | ἀπολογουμένουsaid in his defensepresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἥμαρτονsinnedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.9 | θέλωνthélōwishingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκαταθέσθαιkatatíthēmidoaorist middle infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἀποκριθεὶςansweredaorist passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεἶπενépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionΘέλειςthélōwillingpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀναβὰςgo upaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκριθῆναιkrínōtriedaorist passive infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.10 | εἶπενépōsaidaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionδεῖdéōoughtpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκρίνεσθαιkrínōtriedpresent passive infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἠδίκησαdone ~ wrongaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐπιγινώσκειςepiginṓskōknowpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.11 | ἀδικῶwrongdoerpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπέπραχάprássōcommittedperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultπαραιτοῦμαιparaitéomaiescapepresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀποθανεῖνdeathaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbκατηγοροῦσίνkatēgoréōaccusepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthδύναταιdýnamaicanpresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthχαρίσασθαιcharízomaigive ~ upaorist middle infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἐπικαλοῦμαιepikaléomaiappeal topresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.12 | συλλαλήσαςsyllaléōconferredaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀπεκρίθηrepliedaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐπικέκλησαιepikaléomaiappealedperfect middle indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultπορεύσῃporeúomaigofuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.13 | διαγενομένωνdiagínomaipassedaorist middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκατήντησανkatantáōarrivedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἀσπασάμενοιwelcomeaorist middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.14 | διέτριβονdiatríbōstayingimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionἀνέθετοlaidaorist middle indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionλέγωνlégōsayingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκαταλελειμμένοςkataleípōleftperfect passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.15 | ἐνεφάνισανemphanízōinformedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionαἰτούμενοιaskingpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.16 | ἀπεκρίθηνansweredaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionχαρίζεσθαίcharízomaihand overpresent middle infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbκατηγορούμενοςkatēgoréōaccusedpresent passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἔχοιéchōhaspresent active optativeoptativeOptative mood — wish or remote possibilityλάβοιlambánōmakeaorist active optativeoptativeOptative mood — wish or remote possibility |
| v.17 | συνελθόντωνsynérchomaiassembledaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionποιησάμενοςpoiéōdidaorist middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκαθίσαςkathízōtook ~ seataorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐκέλευσαkeleúōorderedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἀχθῆναιbroughtaorist passive infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.18 | σταθέντεςhístēmistood upaorist passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἔφερονphérōbroughtimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionὑπενόουνhyponoéōexpectingimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past action |
| v.19 | εἶχονéchōhadimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionτεθνηκότοςthnḗskōdeadperfect active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἔφασκενpháskōassertedimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionζῆνzáōalivepresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.20 | ἀπορούμενοςat a losspresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἔλεγονlégōaskedimperfect active indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionβούλοιτοboúlomaiwillingpresent middle optativeoptativeOptative mood — wish or remote possibilityπορεύεσθαιporeúomaigopresent middle infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbκρίνεσθαιkrínōtriedpresent passive infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.21 | ἐπικαλεσαμένουepikaléomaiappealedaorist middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionτηρηθῆναιtēréōkept in custodyaorist passive infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἐκέλευσαkeleúōorderedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionτηρεῖσθαιtēréōheldpresent passive infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἀναπέμψωsendaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.22 | Ἐβουλόμηνboúlomailikeimperfect middle indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past actionἀκοῦσαιhearaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbφησίνphēmísaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἀκούσῃhearfuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.23 | ἐλθόντοςérchomaicameaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεἰσελθόντωνeisérchomaienteredaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionκελεύσαντοςkeleúōgave the orderaorist active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἤχθηbrought inaorist passive indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.24 | φησινphēmísaidpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthσυμπαρόντεςsympáreimipresent withpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionθεωρεῖτεtheōréōseepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthἐνέτυχόνentynchánōpetitionedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionβοῶντεςshoutingpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionδεῖνdéōoughtpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbζῆνzáōlivepresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.25 | κατελαβόμηνkatalambánōfoundaorist middle indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionπεπραχέναιprássōdoneperfect active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἐπικαλεσαμένουepikaléomaiappealed toaorist middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἔκριναkrínōdecidedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionπέμπεινpémpōsendpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.26 | γράψαιgráphōwriteaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbἔχωéchōhavepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthπροήγαγονproágōbroughtaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionγενομένηςgínomaitaken placeaorist middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionσχῶéchōhaveaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentγράψωgráphōwriteaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.27 | πέμπονταpémpōsendpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionσημᾶναιsēmaínōindicateaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
Verb forms indicate aspect — not interpretive weight. Consult context before drawing conclusions about emphasis.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain
Formation Focus
Acts 25 teaches that the risen Christ advances His promised witness through legal process, political confusion, and Paul’s lawful appeal to Caesar.
Believers must learn to trust providence, use lawful means wisely, resist political manipulation, and keep the resurrection central under accusation.
Patience, courage, legal wisdom, truthfulness, resurrection confidence, integrity under accusation, and trust in Christ’s mission.
Practice Response
- Respond to accusations with truthful clarity.
- Use lawful protections when they preserve witness.
- Refuse to be handed over to injustice when lawful appeal is available.
- Trust God’s timing in delayed proceedings.
- Keep Jesus’ resurrection at the center of Christian defense.
- Discern political favor-seeking that compromises justice.
- Treat public scrutiny as an opportunity for witness.
- Wait for God’s promise to unfold without panic.
Warnings and Misreadings
- Acts 25 warns against religious hatred disguised as legal concern, political leaders who prefer favor over justice, and accusations that cannot be proven. It also warns that rejecting the resurrection claim leads people to treat gospel witness as a threat rather than truth.
- Treating Paul’s appeal to Caesar as a lack of trust in God, when it is the providential legal path toward the Lord’s promised witness in Rome.
- Assuming Festus is fully just, when He is willing to do the Jews a favor by moving the trial to Jerusalem.
- Missing that the Jewish leaders’ request for transfer is tied to a hidden assassination plot.
- Reading the accusations as credible because they are serious, even though Luke repeatedly states they cannot be proven.
- Treating the case as merely political, while Festus reveals that it centers on Jesus being alive.
- Assuming Paul is avoiding death at all costs, when He says He does not refuse to die if truly guilty.
- Ignoring that Paul resists unlawful handover while remaining willing to face lawful judgment.
- Treating Agrippa’s hearing as spectacle only, when it becomes a divinely arranged witness opportunity.
- Missing the repeated Roman conclusion that Paul has done nothing deserving death.
Discipleship Questions
- Do I trust God only in dramatic deliverance, or also in slow legal and procedural providence?
- Can I distinguish suffering for Christ from being handed over to needless lawlessness?
- Do I know when to endure and when to appeal lawfully?
- Is my conduct defensible against accusations of wrongdoing?
- Am I tempted to seek favor at the expense of justice, like Festus?
- Do I keep the living Jesus at the center when others reduce the faith to controversy or politics?
- Would I be ready to testify before people who see my faith as confusing or strange?
- Do I believe that God can use delays, hearings, and bureaucracy to advance His mission?
- What would it look like for me to say, with integrity, that I have done no wrong in the matters alleged?
Pastoral Applications
- Teach Acts 25 as a chapter about providence through lawful appeal, not merely courtroom movement.
- Help believers see that Paul’s appeal to Caesar advances Acts 23:11.
- Warn against religious opposition that uses legal language while hiding violent intent.
- Teach Christians to use lawful rights wisely for the sake of life, justice, and witness.
- Emphasize that gospel courage is not the same as passivity before corrupt systems.
- Use Festus’s summary to show that the central issue remains the resurrection of Jesus.
- Contrast political favor with justice, especially in leadership and church life.
- Prepare believers for misunderstanding: Festus can summarize the issue but not truly understand its glory.
- Show that God can place His servants before rulers through circumstances they would not choose.
- Use Paul’s willingness to die if guilty to teach respect for justice and confidence in innocence.
Pastoral Trajectories
Festus receives Paul’s unresolved case, and Jewish leaders immediately renew their efforts against Him.
The transfer request appears procedural but conceals a murder plot.
The accusations sound grave but collapse under lack of evidence.
Festus’s desire to please the Jews leads Paul to appeal to Caesar.
Paul’s appeal moves His case toward Rome and the emperor.
Festus does not grasp the theology, but He identifies the central claim: Jesus is alive.
Agrippa and Bernice arrive with ceremony, but Paul is the one carrying the word of resurrection.
Festus needs something to write, creating the setting for Paul’s defense in Acts 26.
Motifs in This Chapter
Trace servant identity, obedient mission, and suffering service across Scripture.
Track judgment as covenant accountability, divine justice, and eschatological reckoning.
Study kingdom reign, divine rule, and gospel kingdom proclamation across Scripture.
Follow resurrection hope, vindication, and life-over-death patterns across the canon.
The Biblical World
Chapter At A Glance
Festus inherits Paul’s case, the Jerusalem leaders renew their plan against Paul, Paul defends His innocence and appeals to Caesar, Festus consults Agrippa, and Paul is placed before royal and military authorities so His testimony may be heard.
Acts 25 continues to show that Paul’s controversy arises from Israel’s hope fulfilled in Jesus’ resurrection. Festus, though an outsider, accurately senses that the dispute is religious and centers on Jesus being alive. The witness that began among Israel now moves through Gentile courts toward Caesar.
Acts 25 clarifies the gospel by showing that the real controversy is Jesus’ resurrection. Paul is not guilty of crimes against law, temple, or Caesar. His offense is that He proclaims Jesus alive. The appeal to Caesar becomes the means by which that testimony will move toward Rome.
Patience, courage, legal wisdom, truthfulness, resurrection confidence, integrity under accusation, and trust in Christ’s mission.
Focus Points
- Providence through legal appeal
- The Lord’s promise of Rome moving forward
- False accusation without proof
- Political favor versus justice
- Paul’s innocence before Jewish and Roman charges
- Respect for lawful judgment
- Refusal of unlawful handover
- Jesus’ resurrection as the central controversy
- Witness before kings and rulers
- Roman recognition that Paul deserves no death sentence
- God’s mission advancing through custody
- Preparation for Paul’s defense before Agrippa
- Resurrection of Jesus
- Providence
- Witness Before Rulers
- Innocence of Criminal Charges
- Lawful Appeal
- Justice
- Political Compromise
- False Accusation
Cross References
The following night, the Lord stood by Him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as You have testified about me at Jerusalem, so You must testify also at Rome.”
Lord’s promise
I found Him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.
Prior Roman finding
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Immediate background
Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for Yourself.” Then Paul stretched out His hand, and made His defense. “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before You today concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews, especially because You are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg You to...
Next major defense
When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by Himself with the soldier who guarded Him. After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, He said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people or the...
Rome fulfillment
For I delivered to You first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
Resurrection gospel
Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
Innocence pattern
But the Lord said to Him, “Go Your way, for He is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
Witness before kings
Passages
Chapter opening: Acts 25:1-12
Having come into the province (επιβας τη επαρχεια). Second aorist active participle of επιβαινω, to set foot upon. Literally, "Having set foot upon his province." Επαρχεια is a late word for province, in N. T. only here and 23:34 . Judea was not strictly a province, but a department (Page) of the province of Syria which was under a propraetor (λεγατυς Χαεσαρις) while Judea was under a procurator (επιτροπος).
After three days (μετα τρεις ημερας). So in Ac 28:17 in Rome. That is on the third day, with a day of rest in between. Precisely the language used of the resurrection of Jesus "after three days" = "on the third day." So by common usage then and now.
The principal men (ο πρωτο). The first men, the leading men of the city, besides the chief priests. In verse 15 we have "the chief priests and the elders." These chief men among the Jews would desire to pay their respects to the new Procurator on his first visit to Jerusalem. There was another high priest now, Ishmael in place of Ananias. Informed him against Paul (ενεφανισαν αυτω κατα του Παυλου).
"This renewal of the charge after two years, on the very first opportunity, is a measure, not only of their unsleeping hatred, but of the importance which they attached to Paul's influence" (Furneaux). Besought (παρεκαλουν). Imperfect active, kept on beseeching as a special favour to the Jews.
Asking favour against him (αιτουμενο χαριν κατ' αυτου). A favour to themselves (middle voice), not to Paul, but "against" (κατ', down, against) him. That he would send for (οπως μεταπεμψητα). First aorist middle subjunctive of μεταπεμπω (see 24:24 , 26 ) with final particle οπως like ινα. Aorist tense for single case. Laying wait (ενεδραν ποιουντες). See on 23:16 for the word ενεδρα.
Old idiom (Thucydides) for laying a plot or ambush as here. Only these two uses of ενεδρα in N. T. Two years before the Sanhedrin had agreed to the plot of the forty conspirators. Now they propose one on their own initiative. On the way (κατα την οδον). Down along, up and down along the way. Plenty of opportunity would occur between Caesarea and Jerusalem for ambush and surprise attacks.
Howbeit (μεν ουν). No antithesis expressed, though Page considers δε in verse 6 to be one. They probably argued that it was easier for one man (Paul) to come to Jerusalem than for many to go down there. But Festus was clearly suspicious (verse 6 ) and was wholly within his rights to insist that they make their charges in Caesarea where he held court. Was kept in charge (τηρεισθα).
Present passive infinitive of τηρεω in indirect assertion. Hοτ with finite verb is more common after αποκρινομα, but the infinitive with the accusative of general reference is proper as here (Robertson, Grammar , p. 1036). Shortly (εν ταχε). In quickness, in speed. Old and common usage, seen already in Lu 18:8 ; Ac 12:7 ; 22:18 . Festus is clearly within his rights again since his stay in Caesarea had been so brief.
He did go down in "eight or ten days" (verse 6 ). Luke did not consider the matter important enough to be precise.
Them therefore which are of power among you (ο ουν εν υμιν δυνατο). "The mighty ones among you," "the men of power" (δυνατο) and authority, "the first men," the Sanhedrin, in other words. Note change here by Luke from indirect discourse in verse 4 , to direct in verse 5 (φησιν, says he). Go down with me (συνκαταβαντες). Double compound (συν, κατα) second aorist active participle of συνκαταβαινω.
It was a fair proposal. If there is anything amiss in the man (ε τ εστιν εν τω ανδρ ατοπον). Condition of the first class, assuming that there is (to be courteous to them), but not committing himself on the merits of the case. Ατοπον is an old word, specially common in Plato, meaning "out of place." In N. T. only here and Lu 23:41 which see; Ac 28:6 ; 2Th 3:2 .
Note present tense active voice of κατηγορειτωσαν (imperative) of κατηγορεω, repeat their accusations.
On the morrow (τη επαυριον). Locative case of the article with ημερα understood (επαυριον, adverb, tomorrow). Festus lost no time for the chief men had come down with him. Sat on the judgment seat (καθισας επ του βηματος). A legal formality to give weight to the decision. Ingressive aorist active participle. For this use of βημα for judgment seat see on Mt. 27:19 ; Joh 19:13 ; Acts 12:21 ; 18:12 ; 25:10 , 17 .
Same phrase repeated in 25:17 . To be brought (αχθηνα). First aorist passive infinitive of αγω after εκελευσεν (commanded). Same words repeated in 25:17 by Festus.
When he was come (παραγενομενου αυτου). Genitive absolute of common verb παραγινομα (cf. 24:24 ). Which had come down (ο καταβεβηκοτες). Perfect active participle of καταβαινω. They had come down on purpose at the invitation of Festus (verse 5 ), and were now ready. Stood round about him (περιεστησαν αυτον). Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) of περιιστημ, old verb, "Took their stand around him," " periculum intentantes " (Bengel).
Cf. Lu 23:10 about Christ. They have no lawyer this time, but they mass their forces so as to impress Festus. Bringing against him (καταφεροντες). Bearing down on. See on 20:9 ; 26:10 , only N. T. examples of this ancient verb. Many and grievous charges (πολλα κα βαρεα αιτιωματα). This word αιτιωμα for old form αιτιαμα is found in one papyrus (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary ) in sense of "blame."
But the charges were no "heavier" than those made by Tertullus ( 24:5-8 ). Paul's reply proves this and they were also probably on court record (Furneaux). See this adjective βαρυς (heavy) used with λυκο (wolves) in 20:29 . Which they could not prove (α ουκ ισχυον αποδειξα). Imperfect active of ισχυω, to have strength or power as in 19:16 , 20 . Repetition and reiteration and vehemence took the place of proof (αποδειξα, first aorist active infinitive of αποδεικνυμ, to show forth, old verb, in N.
T. only here, Ac 2:22 which see and 1Co 4:9 ).
While Paul said in his defence (του Παυλου απολογουμενου). Genitive absolute again, present middle participle of απολογεομα, old verb to make defence as in 19:33 ; 24:10 ; 26:1 , 2 . The recitative οτ of the Greek before a direct quotation is not reproduced in English. Have I sinned at all (τ ημαρτον). Constative aorist active indicative of αμαρτανω, to miss, to sin.
The τ is cognate accusative (or adverbial accusative). Either makes sense. Paul sums up the charges under the three items of law of the Jews, the temple, the Roman state (Caesar). This last was the one that would interest Festus and, if proved, would render Paul guilty of treason (μαjεστας). Nero was Emperor A. D. 54-68, the last of the emperors with any hereditary claim to the name "Caesar."
Soon it became merely a title like Kaiser and Czar (modern derivatives). In Acts only "Caesar" and "Augustus" are employed for the Emperor, not "King" (Βασιλευς) as from the time of Domitian. Paul's denial is complete and no proof had been presented. Luke was apparently present at the trial.
Desiring to gain favour with the Jews (θελων τοις Ιουδαιοις χαριν καταθεσθα). Precisely the expression used of Felix by Luke in 24:27 which see. Festus, like Felix, falls a victim to fear of the Jews. Before me (επ' εμου). Same use of επ with the genitive as in 23:30 ; 24:19 , 21 . Festus, seeing that it was unjust to condemn Paul and yet disadvantageous to absolve him (Blass), now makes the very proposal to Paul that the rulers had made to him in Jerusalem (verse 3 ).
He added the words "επ' εμου" (before me) as if to insure Paul of justice. If Festus was unwilling to give Paul justice in Caesarea where his regular court held forth, what assurance was there that Festus would give it to him at Jerusalem in the atmosphere of intense hostility to Paul? Only two years ago the mob, the Sanhedrin, the forty conspirators had tried to take his life in Jerusalem.
Festus had no more courage to do right than Felix, however plausible his language might sound. Festus also, while wanting Paul to think that he would in Jerusalem "be judged of these things before me," in reality probably intended to turn Paul over to the Sanhedrin in order to please the Jews, probably with Festus present also to see that Paul received justice (με πρεσεντε).
Festus possibly was surprised to find that the charges were chiefly against Jewish law, though one was against Caesar. It was not a mere change of venue that Paul sensed, but the utter unwillingness of Festus to do his duty by him and his willingness to connive at Jewish vengeance on Paul. Paul had faced the mob and the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, two years of trickery at the hands of Felix in Caesarea, and now he is confronted by the bland chicanery of Festus.
It is too much, the last straw.
I am standing before Caesar's judgment-seat (Hεστως επ του βηματος Καισαρος ειμ). Periphrastic present perfect indicative (εστως ειμ), second perfect participle εστως of ιστημ (intransitive). Paul means to say that he is a Roman citizen before a Roman tribunal. Festus was the representative of Caesar and had no right to hand him over to a Jewish tribunal. Festus recognized this by saying to Paul "wilt thou" (θελεις).
Where I ought to be judged (ου με δε κρινεσθα). Rather, "Where I must be judged," for δε expresses necessity (it is necessary). Paul exposes the conduct of Festus with merciless precision. As thou also very well knowest (ως κα συ καλλιον επιγινωσκεις). "As thou also dost understand (hast additional knowledge, επιγινωσκεις) better" (than thou art willing to admit).
That this is Paul's meaning by the use of the comparative καλλιον (positive καλως) is made plain by the confession of Festus to Agrippa in verse 18 . Paul says that Festus knows that he has done no wrong to the Jews at all (ουδεν ηδικηκα) and yet he is trying to turn him over to the wrath of the Jews in Jerusalem.
If I am a wrong-doer (ε μεν ουν αδικω). Condition of the first class with ε and the present active indicative of αδικεω (α privative and δικη): "If I am in the habit of doing injustice," assuming it to be true for the sake of argument. And have committed anything worthy of death (κα αξιον θανατου πεπραχα). Same condition with the difference in tense (πεπραχα, perfect active indicative) of a single case instead of a general habit.
Assuming either or both Paul draws his conclusion. I refuse not to die (ου παραιτουμα το αποθανειν). Old verb to ask alongside, to beg from, to deprecate, to refuse, to decline. See on Lu 14:18 f . Josephus ( Life , 29) has θανειν ου παραιτουμα. Here the articular second aorist active infinitive is in the accusative case the object of παραιτουμα: "I do not beg off dying from myself."
But if none of these things is (ε δε ουδεν εστιν). Δε here is contrasted with μεν just before. No word for "true" in the Greek. Εστιν ("is") in the Greek here means "exists." Same condition (first class, assumed as true). Whereof these accuse me (ων ουτο κατηγορουσιν μου). Genitive of relative ον by attraction from α (accusative with κατηγορουσιν) to case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτων ("of these things").
Μου is genitive of person after κατηγορουσιν. No man can give me up to them (ουδεις με δυνατα αυτοις χαρισασθα). "Can" legally. Paul is a Roman citizen and not even Festus can make a free gift (χαρισασθα) of Paul to the Sanhedrin. I appeal unto Caesar (Καισαρα επικαλουμα). Technical phrase like Latin Caesarem appello . Originally the Roman law allowed an appeal from the magistrate to the people ( provocatio ad populum ), but the emperor represented the people and so the appeal to Caesar was the right of every Roman citizen.
Paul had crossed the Rubicon on this point and so took his case out of the hands of dilatory provincial justice (really injustice). Roman citizens could make this appeal in capital offences. There would be expense connected with it, but better that with some hope than delay and certain death in Jerusalem. Festus was no better than Felix in his vacillation and desire to curry favour with the Jews at Paul's expense.
No doubt Paul's long desire to see Rome ( 19:21 ; Ro 15:22-28 ) and the promise of Jesus that he would see Rome ( Ac 23:11 ) played some part in Paul's decision. But he made it reluctantly for he says in Rome ( Ac 28:19 ): "I was constrained to appeal." But acquittal at the hands of Festus with the hope of going to Rome as a free man had vanished.
When he had conferred with the council (συνλαλησας μετα του συμβουλιου). The word συμβουλιον in the N. T. usually means "counsel" as in Mt 12:14 , but here alone as an assembly of counsellors or council. But the papyri (Milligan and Moulton's Vocabulary ) furnish a number of instances of this sense of the word as "council." Here it apparently means the chief officers and personal retinue of the procurator, his assessors (ασσεσσορες χονσιλιαρι).
These local advisers were a necessity. Some discretion was allowed the governor about granting the appeal. If the prisoner were a well-known robber or pirate, it could be refused. Thou hast appealed unto Caesar (Καισαρα επικεκλησα). The same technical word, but the perfect tense of the indicative. Unto Caesar thou shalt go (επ Καισαρα πορευση). Perhaps the volitive future (Robertson, Grammar , p.
874). Bengel thinks that Festus sought to frighten Paul with these words. Knowling suggests that "they may have been uttered, if not with a sneer, yet with the implication 'thou little knowest what an appeal to Caesar means.'" But embarrassment will come to Festus. He has refused to acquit this prisoner. Hence he must formulate charges against him to go before Caesar.
When certain days were passed (Hημερων διαγενομενον). Genitive absolute of διαγινομα, to come between, "days intervening." Agrippa the King (Αγριππας ο βασιλευς). Agrippa II son of Agrippa I of Ac 12:20-23 . On the death of Herod King of Chalcis A. D. 48, Claudius A. D. 50 gave this Herod Agrippa II the throne of Chalcis so that Luke is correct in calling him king, though he is not king of Judea.
But he was also given by Claudius the government of the temple and the right of appointing the high priest. Later he was given also the tetrarchies of Philip and Lysanias. He was the last Jewish king in Palestine, though not king of Judea. He angered the Jews by building his palace so as to overlook the temple and by frequent changes in the high priesthood. He made his capital at Caesarea Philippi which he called Neronias in honour of Nero.
Titus visited it after the fall of Jerusalem. Bernice (Βερνικη). He was her brother and yet she lived with him in shameful intimacy in spite of her marriage to her uncle Herod King of Chalcis and to Polemon King of Cilicia whom she left. Schuerer calls her both a Jewish bigot and a wanton. She afterwards became the mistress of Titus. Arrived at Caesarea (κατηντησαν εις Καισαριαν).
Came down (first aorist active of κατανταω) to Caesarea from Jerusalem. And saluted Festus (ασπασαμενο τον Φηστον). The Textus Receptus has ασπασομενο the future participle, but the correct text is the aorist middle participle ασπασαμενο which cannot possibly mean subsequent action as given in the Canterbury Revision "and saluted." It can only mean contemporaneous (simultaneous) action "saluting" or antecedent action like the margin "having saluted."
But antecedent action is not possible here, so that simultaneous action is the only alternative. It is to be noted that the salutation synchronized with the arrival in Caesarea (note κατα, down, the effective aorist tense), not with the departure from Jerusalem, nor with the whole journey. Rightly understood the aorist participle here gives no trouble at all (Robertson, Grammar , pp.
861-3).
Tarried (διετριβον). Imperfect active of διατριβω, common verb for spending time ( Ac 12:19 , etc.) Many days (πλειους ημερας). More days (than a few). Accusative case for extent of time. Laid Paul's case (ανεθετο τα κατα τον Παυλον). Second aorist middle indicative of ανατιθημ, old verb to set before, to place up, as if for consultation in conference. Only twice in N.
T. here and Ga 2:2 . The motive of Festus is not given, though it was natural enough in view of the quandary of Festus about Paul (the things about Paul) and Agrippa's interest in and responsibility for Jewish worship in the temple in Jerusalem. It is quite possible that Festus had a bit of εννυ over the visit of these Jewish dignitaries as "more days" went by.
Hence the tone of Festus about Paul in this proposal for the entertainment of Agrippa and Bernice is certainly one of superficial and supremely supercilious indifference. Left a prisoner (καταλελιμμενος δεσμιος). Perfect passive participle of καταλειπω, to leave behind. Paul is one of Felix's left overs (left behind), a sort of "junk" left on his hands. This cowardly Roman procurator thus pictures the greatest of living men and the greatest preacher of all time to this profligate pair (brother and sister) of sinners.
Undoubtedly today in certain circles Christ and his preachers are held up to like contempt.
Informed (ενεφανισαν). Same word as in 23:15 , 22 ; 25:2 which see. Asking for sentence against him (αιτουμενο κατ' αυτου καταδικην). Only N.T. example of this old word (penalty, fine, condemnation) from κατα and δικη (justice against).
It is not the custom of the Romans (οτ ουκ εστιν εθος Ρωμαιοις). If a direct quotation, οτ is recitative as in Authorized Version. Canterbury Revision takes it as indirect discourse after απεκριθην (I answered), itself in a relative clause (προς ους) with the present tense (εστιν, is) preserved as is usual. There is a touch of disdain (Furneaux) in the tone of Festus.
He may refer to a demand of the Jews before they asked that Paul be brought to Jerusalem ( 25:3 ). At any rate there is a tone of scorn towards the Jews. Before that the accused have (πριν η ο κατηγορουμενος εχο). This use of the optative in this temporal clause with πριν η instead of the subjunctive αν εχη is in conformity with literary Greek and occurs only in Luke's writings in the N.
T. (Robertson, Grammar , p. 970). This sequence of modes is a mark of the literary style occasionally seen in Luke. It is interesting here to note the succession of dependent clauses in verses 14-16 . The accusers face to face (κατα προσωπον τους κατηγορους). Same word κατηγορος as in 23:30 , 35 ; 25:18 . This all sounds fair enough. And have had opportunity to make his defence concerning the matter laid against him (τοπον τε απολογιας λαβο περ του εγκληματος).
Literally, "And should receive (λαβο optative for same reason as εχο above, second aorist active of λαμβανω) opportunity for defence (objective genitive) concerning the charge" (εγκληματος in N. T. only here and 23:19 which see).
When they were come together here (συνελθοντων ενθαδε). Genitive absolute of second aorist active participle of συνερχομα, but without αυτων (they), merely understood. Delay (αναβολην). Old word from αναβαλλω, only here in N.T.
Brought (εφερον). Imperfect active of φερω, referring to their repeated charges. Of such evil things as I supposed (ων εγω υπενοουν πονηρων). Incorporation of the antecedent πονηρων into the relative clause and change of the case of the relative from the accusative α object of υπενοουν to the genitive like πονηρων (Robertson, Grammar , p. 719). Note the imperfect active υπενοουν of υπονοεω to emphasize Festus's state of mind about Paul before the trial.
This old verb only three times in the N. T. (here, Ac 13:25 which see; 27:27 ).
But had (δε ειχον). Descriptive imperfect active of εχω and δε of contrast (but). Concerning their own religion (περ της ιδιας δεισιδαιμονιας). See on 17:22 for discussion of this word. Festus would hardly mean "superstition," whatever he really thought, because Agrippa was a Jew. And of one Jesus (κα περ τινος Ιησου). This is the climax of supercilious scorn toward both Paul and "one Jesus."
Who was dead (τεθνηκοτος). Perfect active participle of θνησκω agreeing with Ιησου (genitive). As being dead. Whom Paul affirmed to be alive (ον εφασκεν ο Παυλος ζηιν). Imperfect active of φασκω, old form of φημ to say, in the N. T. only here and Ac 24:9 ; Ro 1:22 . Infinitive ζηιν in indirect discourse with ον (whom) the accusative of general reference. With all his top-loftical airs Festus has here correctly stated the central point of Paul's preaching about Jesus as no longer dead, but living.
Being perplexed (απορουμενος). Present middle participle of the common verb απορεω (α privative and πορος way), to be in doubt which way to turn, already in Mr 6:20 which see and Lu 24:4 . The Textus Receptus has εις after here, but critical text has only the accusative which this verb allows ( Mr 6:20 ) as in Thucydides and Plato. How to inquire concerning these things (την περ τουτων ζητησιν).
Literally, "as to the inquiry concerning these things." This is not the reason given by Luke in verse 9 (wanting to curry favour with the Jews), but doubtless this motive also actuated Festus as both could be true. Whether he would go to Jerusalem (ε βουλοιτο πορευεσθα εις Ιεροσολυμα). Optative in indirect question after ελεγον (asked or said) imperfect active, though the present indicative could have been retained with change of person: "Dost thou wish, etc.
," (ε βουλη, etc.) See Robertson, Grammar , pp. 1031, 1044. This is the question put to Paul in verse 9 though θελεις is there used.
When Paul had appealed (του Παυλου επικαλεσαμενου). Genitive absolute with first aorist middle participle of επικαλεομα, the technical word for appeal (verses 11 , 12 ). The first aorist passive infinitive τηρηθηνα (to be kept) is the object of the participle. For the decision of the emperor (εις την του Σεβαστου διαγνωσιν). Διαγνωσιν (cf. διαγνωσομα 24:22 , I will determine) is the regular word for a legal examination (χογνιτιο), thorough sifting (δια), here only in N.
T. Instead of "the Emperor" it should be "the Augustus," as Σεβαστος is simply the Greek translation of Augustus , the adjective (Revered, Reverent) assumed by Octavius B. C. 27 as the αγνομεν that summed up all his various offices instead of Rex so offensive to the Romans having led to the death of Julius Caesar. The successors of Octavius assumed Augustus as a title.
The Greek term Σεβαστος has the notion of worship (cf. σεβασμα in Acts 17:25 ). In the N. T. only here, verse 25 ; 27:1 (of the legion). It was more imposing than "Caesar" which was originally a family name (always official in the N. T.) and it fell in with the tendency toward emperor-worship which later played such a large part in Roman life and which Christians opposed so bitterly.
China is having a revival of this idea in the insistence on bowing three times to the picture of Sun-Yat-Sen. Till I should send him to Caesar (εως αν αναπεμψω αυτον προς Καισαρα). Here αναπεμψω can be either future indicative or first aorist subjunctive (identical in first person singular), aorist subjunctive the usual construction with εως for future time (Robertson, Grammar , p.
876). Literally, "send up" (ανα) to a superior (the emperor). Common in this sense in the papyri and Koine writers. Here "Caesar" is used as the title of Nero instead of "Augustus" as Κυριος (Lord) occurs in verse 26 .
I also could wish (εβουλομην κα αυτος). The imperfect for courtesy, rather than the blunt βουλομα, I wish, I want. Literally, "I myself also was wishing" (while you were talking), a compliment to the interesting story told by Festus. The use of αν with the imperfect would really mean that he does not wish (a conclusion of the second class condition, determined as unfulfilled).
Αν with the optative would show only a languid desire. The imperfect is keen enough and yet polite enough to leave the decision with Festus if inconvenient for any reason (Robertson, Grammar , pp. 885-7). Agrippa may have heard much about Christianity.
When Agrippa was come and Bernice (ελθοντος του Αγριππα κα της Βερνικης). Genitive absolute, the participle agreeing in number and gender (masculine singular, ελθοντος) with Αγριππα, Βερνικης being added as an afterthought. With great pomp (μετα πολλης φαντασιας). Φαντασια is a Koine word (Polybius, Diodorus, etc.) from the old verb φανταζω ( Heb 12:21 ) and it from φαινω, common verb to show, to make an appearance.
This is the only N. T. example of φαντασια, though the kindred common word φαντασμα (appearance) occurs twice in the sense of apparition or spectre ( Mt 14:26 ; Mr 6:49 ). Herodotus (VII. 10) used the verb φανταζω for a showy parade. Festus decided to gratify the wish of Agrippa by making the "hearing" of Paul the prisoner (verse 22 ) an occasion for paying a compliment to Agrippa (Rackham) by a public gathering of the notables in Caesarea.
Festus just assumed that Paul would fall in with this plan for a grand entertainment though he did not have to do it. Into the place of hearing (εις το ακροατηριον). From ακροαομα (to be a hearer) and, like the Latin auditorium , in Roman law means the place set aside for hearing, and deciding cases. Here only in the N. T. Late word, several times in Plutarch and other Koine writers.
The hearing was "semi-official" (Page) as is seen in verse 26 . With the chief captains (συν τε χιλιαρχοις). Χιλιαρχς, each a leader of a thousand. There were five cohorts of soldiers stationed in Caesarea. And the principal men of the city (κα ανδρασιν τοις κατ' εξοχην). The use of κατ' εξοχην, like our French phrase par excellence , occurs here only in the N.
T. , and not in the ancient Greek, but it is found in inscriptions of the first century A. D. (Moulton and Milligan's Vocabulary ). Εξοχη in medical writers is any protuberance or swelling. Cf. our phrase "outstanding men." At the command of Festus (κελευσαντος του Φηστου). Genitive absolute again, "Festus having commanded."
Which are here present with us (ο συνπαροντες ημιν). Present articular participle of συνπαρειμ (only here in N. T.) with associative instrumental case ημιν. Made suit to me (ενετυχον μο). Second aorist active indicative of εντυγχανω, old verb to fall in with a person, to go to meet for consultation or supplication as here. Common in old Greek and Koine . Cf.
Ro 8:27 , 34 . See εντευξις (petition) 1Ti 2:1 . Papyri give many examples of the technical sense of εντευξις as petition (Deissmann, Bible Studies , p. 121). Some MSS. have plural here ενετυχον rather than the singular ενετυχεν. Crying (βοωντες). Yelling and demanding with loud voices. That he ought not to live any longer (μη δειν αυτον ζηιν μηκετ). Indirect command (demand) with the infinitive δειν for δε (it is necessary).
The double negative (μη--μηκετ) with ζηιν intensifies the demand.
But I found (εγω δε κατελαβομην). Second aorist middle of καταλαμβανω, to lay hold of, to grasp, to comprehend as in 4:13 ; 10:34 . That he had committed nothing worthy of death (μηδεν αξιον αυτον θανατου πεπραχενα). Perfect active infinitive of πρασσω in indirect assertion with negative μη and accusative αυτον of general reference, the usual idiom. Verse 25 repeats the statement in verse 21 , perhaps for the benefit of the assembled dignitaries.
No certain thing (ασφαλες τι--ου). Nothing definite or reliable (α privative, σφαλλω, to trip). All the charges of the Sanhedrin slipped away or were tripped up by Paul. Festus confesses that he had nothing left and thereby convicts himself of gross insincerity in his proposal to Paul in verse 9 about going up to Jerusalem. By his own statement he should have set Paul free.
The various details here bear the marks of the eyewitness. Luke was surely present and witnessed this grand spectacle with Paul as chief performer. Unto my lord (τω κυριω). Augustus (Octavius) and Tiberius refused the title of κυριος (lord) as too much like rex (king) and like master and slave, but the servility of the subjects gave it to the other emperors who accepted it (Nero among them).
Antoninus Pius put it on his coins. Deissmann ( Light from the Ancient East , p. 105) gives an ostracon dated Aug. 4, A. D. 63 with the words "in the year nine of Nero the lord" (ενατου Νερωνος του κυριου). Deissmann ( op. cit. , pp. 349ff.) runs a most interesting parallel "between the cult of Christ and the cult of Caesar in the application of the term κυριος, lord" in ostraca, papyri, inscriptions.
Beyond a doubt Paul has all this fully in mind when he says in 1Co 12:3 that "no one is able to say Κυριος Ιησους except in the Holy Spirit" (cf. also Php 2:11 ). The Christians claimed this word for Christ and it became the test in the Roman persecutions as when Polycarp steadily refused to say " Lord Caesar" and insisted on saying "Lord Jesus" when it meant his certain death.
Before you (εφ' υμων). The whole company. In no sense a new trial, but an examination in the presence of these prominent men to secure data and to furnish entertainment and pleasure to Agrippa (verse 22 ). Especially before thee (μαλιστα επ σου). Out of courtesy. It was the main reason as verse 22 shows. Agrippa was a Jew and Festus was glad of the chance to see what he thought of Paul's case.
After examination had (της ανακρισεως γενομενης). Genitive absolute, "the examination having taken place." Ανακρισις from ανακρινω (cf. 12:19 ; 24:8 ; 28:18 ) is a legal term for preliminary examination. Only here in the N. T. Inscriptions and papyri give it as examination of slaves or other property. That I may have somewhat to write (οπως σχω τ γραψω). Ingressive aorist subjunctive σχω (may get) with οπως (final particle like ινα).
Τ γραψω in indirect question after σχω is either future indicative or aorist subjunctive (Robertson, Grammar , p. 1045). Festus makes it plain that this is not a "trial," but an examination for his convenience to help him out of a predicament.
Unreasonable (αλογον). Old word from α privative and λογος (reason, speech). "Without reason" as of animals ( Jude 1:10 ; 2 Peter 2:12 ), "contrary to reason" here. These the only N. T. instances and in harmony with ancient usage. In sending (πεμποντα). Note accusative case with the infinitive σημανα though μο (dative) just before. Cf. same variation in 15:22 f.
; 22:17 . Signify (σημανα). First aorist active infinitive (not σημηνα, the old form) of σημαινω, to give a sign (σημειον). The charges (τας αιτιας). This naive confession of Festus reveals how unjust has been his whole treatment of Paul. He had to send along with the appeal of Paul litterae dimissoriae (αποστολ) which would give a statement of the case (Page).