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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》