| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
Acts Chapter
Twenty-five
Acts 25
God would have the innocence of his beloved servant
proved in the face of the world. His discourse tends to this. He goes farther
but his object is to give account of his conduct. His miraculous conversion is
related in order to justify his subsequent career; but it is so related as to
act upon the conscience of Agrippa
who was acquainted with Jewish things
and
evidently desired to hear something of Christianity
which he suspected to be
the truth. Accordingly he lays hold with eagerness of the opportunity that
presents itself to hear the apostle explain it. But he remains much where he
was. His condition of soul opens however the mouth of Paul
and he addresses
himself directly and particularly to the king; who moreover
evidently
engrossed by the subject
had called on him to speak. To Festus it was all a
rhapsody.
The dignity of Paul's manner before all these governors is perfect. He
addresses himself to the conscience with a forgetfulness of self that shewed a
man in whom communion with God
and the sense of his relationship with God
carried the mind above all effect of circumstances. He was acting for God; and
with a perfect deference for the position of those he addressed
we see that
which was morally altogether superior to them. The more humiliating his
circumstances
the more beauty there is in this superiority. Before the
Gentiles he is a missionary from God. He is again (blessed be God!) in his
right place. All that he said to the Jews was right and deserved; but why was
he
who had been delivered from the people
subjected to their total want of
conscience
and their blind passions which gave no place for testimony?
Nevertheless
as we have seen
it was to be so in order that the Jews might in
every way fill up the measure of their iniquity
and indeed that the blessed
apostle might follow the steps of his Master.
── John Darby《Synopsis of Acts》
Acts 25
Chapter Contents
Paul before Festus
he appeals to Caesar. (1-12) Festus
confers with Agrippa respecting Paul. (13-27)
Commentary on Acts 25:1-12
(Read Acts 25:1-12)
See how restless malice is. Persecutors deem it a
peculiar favour to have their malice gratified. Preaching Christ
the end of
the law
was no offence against the law. In suffering times the prudence of the
Lord's people is tried
as well as their patience; they need wisdom. It becomes
those who are innocent
to insist upon their innocence. Paul was willing to
abide by the rules of the law
and to let that take its course. If he deserved
death
he would accept the punishment. But if none of the things whereof they
accused him were true
no man could deliver him unto them
with justice. Paul
is neither released nor condemned. It is an instance of the slow steps which
Providence takes; by which we are often made ashamed
both of our hopes and of
our fears
and are kept waiting on God.
Commentary on Acts 25:13-27
(Read Acts 25:13-27)
Agrippa had the government of Galilee. How many unjust
and hasty judgments the Roman maxim
verse 16
condemn! This heathen
guided only by
the light of nature
followed law and custom exactly
yet how many Christians
will not follow the rules of truth
justice
and charity
in judging their
brethren! The questions about God's worship
the way of salvation
and the
truths of the gospel
may appear doubtful and without interest
to worldly men
and mere politicians. See how slightly this Roman speaks of Christ
and of the
great controversy between the Jews and the Christians. But the day is at hand
when Festus and the whole world will see
that all the concerns of the Roman
empire were but trifles and of no consequence
compared with this question of
Christ's resurrection. Those who have had means of instruction
and have
despised them
will be awfully convinced of their sin and folly. Here was a
noble assembly brought together to hear the truths of the gospel
though they
only meant to gratify their curiosity by attending to the defence of a
prisoner. Many
even now
attend at the places of hearing the word of God with
"great pomp
" and too often with no better motive than curiosity. And
though ministers do not now stand as prisoners to make a defence for their lives
yet numbers affect to sit in judgment upon them
desirous to make them
offenders for a word
rather than to learn from them the truth and will of God
for the salvation of their souls But the pomp of this appearance was outshone
by the real glory of the poor prisoner at the bar. What was the honour of their
fine appearance
compared with that of Paul's wisdom
and grace
and holiness;
his courage and constancy in suffering for Christ! It is no small mercy to have
God clear up our righteousness as the light
and our just dealing as the
noon-day; to have nothing certain laid to our charge. And God makes even the
enemies of his people to do them right.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on Acts》
Acts 25
Verse 4
[4] But
Festus answered
that Paul should be kept at Caesarea
and that he himself
would depart shortly thither.
But Festus answered — So
Festus's care to preserve the imperial privileges was the means of preserving
Paul's life. By what invisible springs does God govern the world! With what
silence
and yet with what wisdom and energy!
Verse 5
[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.
Let those of you who are able — Who are best able to undertake the journey
and to manage the cause.
If there be any wickedness in him — So he does not pass sentence before he hears the cause.
Verse 6
[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.
Not more than ten days — A short space for a new governor to stay at such a city as Jerusalem. He
could not with any convenience have heard and decided the cause of Paul within
that time.
Verse 7
[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.
Bringing many accusations — When many accusations are heaped together
frequently not one of them is
true.
Verse 8
[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 he answered — To
a general charge a general answer was sufficient.
Verse 9
[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?
Art thou willing to go up to Jerusalem — Festus could have ordered this without asking Paul. But God secretly
overruled the whole
that he might have an occasion of appealing to Rome.
Verse 10
[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.
I am standing at Cesar's judgment seat — For all the courts of the Roman governors were held in the name of the
emperor
and by commission from him.
No man can give me up — He expresses it modestly: the meaning is
Thou canst not.
I appeal to Cesar —
Which any Roman citizen might do before sentence was passed.
Verse 12
[12] Then
Festus
when he had conferred with the council
answered
Hast thou appealed
unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
The council — It
was customary for a considerable number of persons of distinction to attend the
Roman governors. These constituted a kind of council
with whom they frequently
advised.
Verse 13
[13] And
after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute
Festus.
Agrippa —
The son of Herod Agrippa
Acts 12:1; and Bernice - His sister
with whom
he lived in a scandalous familiarity. This was the person whom Titus Vespasian
so passionately loved
that he would have made her empress
had not the
clamours of the Romans prevented it.
Verse 15
[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.
Desiring judgment against him — As upon a previous conviction
which they falsely pretended.
Verse 16
[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.
It is not the custom of the Romans — How excellent a rule
to condemn no one unheard! A rule
which as it is
common to all nations
(courts of inquisition only excepted
) so it ought to
direct our proceedings in all affairs
not only in public
but private life.
Verse 18
[18]
Against whom when the accusers stood up
they brought none accusation of such
things as I supposed:
Such things as I supposed — From their passion and vehemence.
Verse 19
[19] But
had certain questions against him of their own superstition
and of one Jesus
which was dead
whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
But had certain questions — How coldly does he mention the things of the last importance! And about
one Jesus - Thus does Festus speak of Him
to whom every knee shall bow! Whom
Paul affirmed to be alive - And was this a doubtful question? But why
O
Festus
didst thou doubt concerning it? Only because thou didst not search into
the evidence of it. Otherwise that evidence might have opened to thee
till it
had grown up into full conviction; and thy illustrious prisoner have led thee
into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Verse 23
[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.
With the tribunes and principal men of the
city — The chief officers
both military and
civil.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on
Acts》
Chapter 25. The Trial Before Festus
Before Defense
Convict Beforehand
I. The Charges
of the Jews
II. Listen to
Paul's Defense
III. Before
King Agrippa
── Chih-Hsin Chang《An Outline of The New Testament》