1.
Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
Festus. He was procurator only about two years (A.D. 60-62) when he died. Knowing the turbulence of the Jews, he wished to have the support of the priestly party. Hence his favour to them, in seeking to induce Paul to go to Jerusalem for trial, though Festus may not have known the reason of the request. Josephus commends him as a rooter-out of robbers and the Sicarii (Acts 21:38 ). See Wars, 11. xiv. 1.
was come . Greek. epibaino. See Acts 20:18 .
into = to.
province . See Acts 23:34 . Caesarea. See Acts 8:40 .
to = unto. Greek. eis . App-104 .
2.
Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
high priest . Greek. archiereus. The texts read "chief priests".
chief = first.
informed . Gr emphanizo. See Acts 23:15 and App-106 .
against . Greek. kata. App-104 .
besought = were beseeching. Greek. parakaleo. App-134 .
3.
And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
And desired = Asking. Greek. aiteo . App-134 .
favour . Greek. charis. App-184 .
send for . Greek. metapempo. See Acts 10:5 and App-174 .
laying wait. Literally making a plot (Greek. enedra, as in Acts 23:16 ).
in = along. Greek. kata .
kill . Greek. anaireo. See Acts 2:23 .
4.
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
answered . App-122 .
kept . Greek. tereo .
at = in. Greek. eis . App-104 .
shortly . Literally in (Greek. en) speed.
5.
Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
among . Greek. en . App-104 .
go down with . Greek. sunkatabaino. Only here.
accuse . Greek. kategoreo. See note on Acts 22:30 .
man . Greek. aner . App-123 . The texts read, "if there be anything in the man amiss, accuse him. "if. Greek. ei . App-118 .
any . Greek. tis. App-123 .
in . Greek. e n . App-104 .
6.
And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
tarried . Greek. diatribo. See Acts 12:19 .
more, &c . The texts read, "not (Greek. ou) more than eight or ten".
the next day = on the morrow.
on = upon. Greek. epi . App-104 .
judgment seat. Greek. bema. See John 19:13 .
brought = brought forth, as in w. 17, 23.
7.
And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
came = had come.
stood round about . Greek. periistimi. Only here; Joh 11:42 . 2 Timothy 2:16 . Titus 3:9 .
and laid, &c . The texts read, "bringing against him".
complaints = charges. Greek. aitiama . Only here.
could = were . . . able to. See Acts 15:10 .
prove . Greek. apodeiknumi. See Acts 2:22 .
8.
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
While, &c . Literally Paul making his defence. Greek. apologeomai. See Acts 19:33 .
he . The texts read "Paul".
Neither . Greek. oute.
against . Greek. eis . App-104 .
temple . Greek. hieron. See Matthew 23:16 .
nor yet = neither. Greek. oute, as above.
have I offended = did I transgress. Greek. hamartano. App-128 .
any thing at all = any thing. Greek. tis. App-123 .
9.
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
willing = purposing. Greek. thelo . App-102 .
to do the Jews a pleasure = to gain favour with the Jews, as in Acts 24:27 .
Wilt thou = Art thou willing to. Greek. thelo , as above.
judged . Greek. krino . App-122 .
of = concerning. Greek. peri .
10.
Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
stand = am standing.
at = before. Greek. epi , as above.
to, &c . = the Jews I wronged (Greek. adikeo. See Acts 7:24 ) in nothing (Greek. oudei s).
thou = thou also. Festus admitted this in verses: Acts 25:18 , Acts 25:19 .
very well . Literally better (i.e. than others).
knowest = knowest thoroughly. Greek. epiginosko . App-132 .
11.
For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
For if = If then indeed.
if . App-118 .
be an offender = am doing wrong. Greek. adikeo, as in Acts 25:10 .
refuse . Literally beg off. Greek. paraiteomai. See Luke 14:18 .
none = nothing. Greek. oudeis. no man = no one. Greek. oudeis.
may = can. See Acts 25:7 .
deliver . Literally grant. Greek. charizomai. App-184 . See Acts 3:14 .
unto = to.
appeal unto = call upon, invoke. Greek. epikaleomai. See Acts 2:21 .
Caesar : i.e. the Emperor before whose tribunal every Roman citizen was entitled to appear. Paul, seeing the desire of Festus to hand him over to the Jews, was constrained to exercise this right. Compare Acts 16:37 ; Acts 22:25 .
12.
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
conferred. Greek. sullaleo. Only here; Matthew 17:3 .Mark 9:4 .Luke 4:36 ; Luke 9:30 ; Luke 22:4 .
council . See Matthew 12:14 . Greek. sumboulion. Not the same word used for "council" elsewhere in Acts, which is sunedrion. See Acts 4:15 , &c. It means the assessors of the court, or chief officers of the government.
unto = before. Greek. epi . App-104 . One can detect atone of resentment, since Paul's appeal had baffled the desire of Festus to gain favour with the Jews.
13.
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
And = Now.
after certain days. Literally certain days having passed by. Greek. diaginomai. Only here; Acts 27:9 . Mark 16:1 . certain. Greek. tines. App-124 .
king Agrippa . Agrippa the Second, son of the Herod of Acts 12 , and Cypros, grand-niece of Herod the Great. At the death of his father, he was too young to be appointed his successor; but in A.D. 50 Claudius gave him the kingdom of Chalcis, his uncle the husband of Bernice, who occupied that throne, having died two years before. This was shortly afterwards exchanged for the tetrarchies of Abilene and Trachonitis, with the title of king. His relations with his sister Bernice were the occasion of much suspicion. He was of the Jews' religion, though of Idumaean descent, and well versed in Jewish laws and customs (Acts 26:3 ). Josephus ( Wars, II. xvi. 4) records a speech he made to dissuade the Jews from engaging in war with the Romans. He sided with the Romans in the war, and after A.D. 70 retired with Bernice to Rome, where he died about A.D. 100.
came . Greek. k atantao. See Acts 16:1 .
salute . As vassal of Rome, to pay his respects to the procurator, Rome's representative.
14.
And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
had been = had tarried, as in Acts 25:6 .
declared = set forth. Greek. anatithemi. Only here and Galatians 1:2 , Galatians 1:2 .
Paul's cause. Literally the things about (Greek. kata. App-104 .) Paul.
certain . Greek. tis . App-123 .
in bonds = a prisoner. Greek. desmios, always rendered "prisoner" except here and Hebrews 13:3 .
15.
About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
About = concerning. Greek. peri . App-104 .
was = was come.
at = to. Greek. eis . App-104 .
elders . App-189 .
desiring to hav e = asking for. Greek. aiteo. App-134 .
judgment . Greek. dike . App-177 . The texts read katadike (condemnation), a word found nowhere else in NT.
16.
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
To . Greek. pros . App-104 .
the manner = a custom.
to die = unto (Greek. eis) destruction (Greek. apoleia) . Compare Acts 8:20 . But the texts omit.
accusers . See note on Acts 23:30 .
face to face . Greek. kata ( App-104 .) prosopon .
have licence = should receive opportunity (literally place).
to answer, &c . = of defence. Greek. apologia, as in Acts 22:1 .
concerning . Greek. peri . App-104 .
crime laid against him = charge. Greek. enklema, aa in Acts 23:29 .
17.
Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
without any delay = having made no (Greek. medeis) delay (Greek. anabole. Only here. Compare Acts 24:22 ).
on the morrow = the next (day). Greek. he xes. See Acts 21:1 .
18.
Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
Against = Concerning. Greek. peri , as in verses: Acts 25:9 , Acts 25:15 , Acts 25:16 , Acts 9:19 , Acts 9:20 , Acts 9:24 , Acts 9:26 .
brought = were bringing. Greek. epiphero. See Acts 19:12 . But the texts read phero , same as in Acts 25:7 .
none . Greek. oudeis.
accusation = charge. Greek. aitia , the common word for cause, or charge.
supposed . See Acts 13:25 .
19.
But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
questions . Greek. zetema. See Acts 15:2 .
against . Greek. pros. App-104 .
superstition = religion. Greek. deisidaimonia. Compare Acts 17:22 . Festus would not say "superstition" in speaking to Agrippa, who was himself of the Jews' religion.
one = a certain, as above, Acts 25:14 .
Jesus . App-98 . affirmed = was affirming. Greek. phasko. See Acts 24:9 .
20.
And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
because, &c . Literally I, being at a loss (Greek. aporeomai. Only here; Joh 13:22 . 2 Corinthians 4:8 . Galatians 1:4 , Galatians 1:20 ).
of such manner of queetions . Literally for (Greek. eis) the enquiry (Greek. zetesis. Only here; Joh 3:25 . 1 Timothy 1:4 ; 1Ti 6:4 . 2 Timothy 2:23 . Tit 8:9 . Compare Acts 25:19 )
concerning (Greek. peri) these things.
asked = said.
whether = if. App-118 .
would = would be willing (Greek. boulomai . App-102 .) to.
21.
But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
reserved = kept. Greek. tereo.
hearing = examination. Greek. diagnosis . Only here. See note on Acts 23:15 .
Augustus . Greek. Sebastos. The Greek word means "venerable", the same as the Latin augustus, a title first used by Octavianus, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, and his successor, and by the Emperors succeeding. Compare the title "Ahasuerus". App-57 .
kept . Same as "reserved".
send . Greek. pempo. App-174 ., but the texts read anapempo . App-174 .
22.
Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
would also = I also was wishing to ( App-102 .)
23.
And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.
And = Therefore.
pomp . Greek. phantasia . Only here. Compare the verb in Hebrews 12:21 .
place of hearing . Greek. akroaterion. Only here. Compare akroates, hearer, Romans 2:13 , &c.
with . Greek. sun. App-104 .
chief captains . Greek. chiliarcho s . See Acts 21:31 .
principal men = men who were of eminence (Greek. kat ' ( App-104 .) exochen. Exoche Occurs only here).
24.
And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
which are here present with . Greek. sumpareimi. Only here.
see = behold. Greek. theoreo. App-133 .
this man = this (one).
multitude . Greek. plethos. See Acts 2:6 .
have dealt with = complained to. Greek. entunchano. Literally to meet with, apply to. Elsewhere translated "make intercession". Romans 8:27 , Romans 8:34 ; Romans 11:2 .Hebrews 7:25 .
crying = crying out. Greek. epiboao. Only here. The texts read boao, not so strong a word.
not . . . any longer . Greek. me ( App-105 ) miketi. A double negative.
25.
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
found = perceived. Greek. katalambano. See Acts 4:13 .
committed = done.
nothing . Greek. medeis.
have determined = decided. Greek. krino . App-122 .
26.
Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
no = not (Greek. ou) any (Gr tis) . App-123 .
certain = sure. See note on Acts 21:34 .
lord . Greek. kurios. Compare App-98 . This title was refused by the Emperors, Augustus and Tiberius, but accepted by Caligula and his successors.
after, &c Literally examination having taken place.
examination . Greek. anakrisis. Only here. Compare Acts 24:8 .
somewhat . Greek. tis .
27.
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
unreasonable . Greek. alogos. Only here; 2 Peter 2:12 .Jude 1:10 (translated "brute"). A medical word.
withal, &c . = to signify the charges also.
crimes = charges. Greek. aitia as in Acts 25:18 .