Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 25:5
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.
5. Let them therefore which among you are able ] R. V. “which are of power among you.” The words of Festus do not refer to whether some of them could go to Csarea or not, but to the character of those who should go down, that they should be men of influence and character, such as would fitly represent the powerful body who appealed to him.
go down with me ] For they were evidently wealthy persons, whose companionship on the journey might be no discredit to the governor. Festus was no doubt willing to conciliate the influential people in the nation, though he had refused to break through a regulation of his predecessor at their request.
and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him ] A large number of MSS., with the Text. Rec., give no word for “wickedness.” But in some of the oldest Texts there is a word which signifies “out of the way.” The Rev. Ver. therefore gives “and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.” The adjective is the same that is so rendered, Luk 23:41, “This man hath done nothing amiss.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Which among you are able – Enjoy all the advantages of just trial, and exhibit your accusations with all the learning and talent in your power. This was all that they could reasonably ask at his hands.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. Let them – which among you are able] , Those who have authority; for so is this word often used by good Greek authors, and by Josephus. Festus seems to have said: “I have heard clamours from the multitude relative to this man; but on such clamours no accusation should be founded: yourselves have only the voice of the multitude as the foundation of the request which you now make. I cannot take up accusations which may affect the life of a Roman citizen on such pretenses. Are there any respectable men among you; men in office and authority, whose character is a pledge for the truth of their depositions, who can prove any thing against him? If so, let these come down to Caesarea, and the cause shall be tried before me; and thus we shall know whether he be a malefactor or not.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Which among you are able; fit to prosecute Paul in your behalf; as Tertullus was, whom the Jews had carried with them formerly, Act 24:1.
Go down with me; because Jerusalem was in a mountainous part of the country, and much of it built upon a hill.
Wickedness; the word properly signifies a foolish thing; but it is also taken for a wicked thing; all sin being folly, and grace wisdom; as they are frequently called in Scripture, though the world hath another opinion of them, many abhorring to be accounted fools, and yet are not though they appear most wicked.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. Let them . . . which among youare able, go down“your leading men.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able,…. Who are at leisure, can spare time, and to whom it will be convenient, without interrupting other business, to take such a journey; and who are able to bear the expenses of it, without hurting their families, and whose health and age will admit of it; and above all, who are masters of this affair, and are capable of forming charges, and of supporting them with proper proofs and evidences: let such
go down with me; from Jerusalem to Caesarea: and accuse this man: in proper form, according to the rules of law, of what he is guilty, and can be proved upon him:
if there is any wickedness in him; or committed by him, anything that is absurd and unreasonable, notoriously flagitious and criminal; that is, contrary to the rules of reason, the common sense of mankind, and the laws of God and men; and especially of the Roman empire, or that is blasphemous or seditious.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Them therefore which are of power among you ( ). “The mighty ones among you,” “the men of power” () 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 (, says he).
Go down with me (). Double compound (, ) second aorist active participle of . It was a fair proposal.
If there is anything amiss in the man ( ). Condition of the first class, assuming that there is (to be courteous to them), but not committing himself on the merits of the case. is an old word, specially common in Plato, meaning “out of place.” In N.T. only here and Lu 23:41 which see; Acts 28:6; 2Thess 3:2. Note present tense active voice of (imperative) of , repeat their accusations.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “Let them therefore, said he,” (hoi oun phesin) “Therefore, let those, he said” let the numerous ones.
2) “Which among you are able, go down with me,” (en humin dunatoi sugkatabantes) “Who are able among you all go down with me,” to Caesarea, where he is being securely detained under guard. Let those who are expert witnesses, those with power, weight, or real influence among you go with me, in company, intimate association along with me, as I return to Caesarea,
3) “And accuse this man,” (kategoreitosan autou) “And let them accuse him,” right in Caesar’s court. Festus’ legal position was that he could not reverse the decision or release the custody of Paul, as detained by Felix, his predecessor, without a public hearing, Psa 37:32-33; Isa 8:9-10.
4) “If there be any wickedness in him.” (ei ti estin en to andri atopon) “If there is (even exists) in the man anything amiss or out of place,” if he is out of place, off-center, as you surely allege that he is, Act 24:5-9.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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5. Those, therefore. It is in the Greek word for word, [literally] Those who are mighty or able; yet he meaneth those who can conveniently. Also, we may easily conjecture, that they did object the trouble and charges, and besought the governor that he would not make weary with a superfluous journey so many of their chief men, and also certain which were very aged; but would rather (which he might easily do) command Paul to be brought by a few keepers [guards]. Therefore, lest they complain that he is burdenous unto them, he unloadeth them of this necessity, and giveth them leave to choose out from among themselves such as they will. In the mean season, he doth sufficiently declare that he doth not believe their false reports; and he professeth that he will be an upright judge, and will do nothing but according to the truth of the matter. The next sentence also is diversely read among the Grecians. For some books [manuscripts] have the same which is in the old interpreter but eight or ten days. If this reading like us, the sense shall be, that the governor came shortly after to Cesarea, lest the Jews should be importunate upon him under color of his long tarriance. The other reading, which is more usual among the Grecians, shall have another meaning; though he stayed long enough at Jerusalem to hear the matter, yet did he not hearken to their requests, who would have Paul brought thither; whence we may gather a probable conjecture, that he already knew of their laying await. −
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(5) Let them . . . which among you are able.The adjective is probably used, as in 1Co. 1:26, Rev. 6:15, in the sense of powerful, chief, rather than as specifically referring to their being able to accuse the man of whom they had complained. What Festus demanded was that the charges against St. Paul should be supported by the leaders and representatives of the people, and not by a hired rhetorician like Tertullus.
If there be any wickedness in him.The better MSS. give simply, if there be anything, practically, i.e., anything worth inquiring into.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Able Not merely those able to go, but those in power, the officials or authorities, in distinction from the chief of Act 25:2, who were men of weight of character. Festus required responsible accusers.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Let those therefore, says he, who are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.’
He pointed out that if they had any charge that they wished to bring against Paul then those in authority could go with him to Caesarea, and they could pursue their case there. If they considered that there was anything amiss with him, that was the place to accuse him of it. Possibly the chief captain, or some other officer, had hinted that all was not quite as it seemed.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 25:5 . The decidedly attested order of the words is: (Lachmann, Tischendorf, Bornemann). See on similar intervening insertions of , Khner, ad Xen. Mem . iii. 5. 13; Bornemann, ad loc .; Stallb. ad Plat. Rep . p. 472 D. . are: the holders of power among you, i.e. those who are invested with the requisite official power (for making a public complaint in the name of the Jewish nation). Thus the usual literal meaning of is to be retained, and it is neither to be explained, with Erasmus, as idonei ; nor, with Beza, Calvin, Grotius, Homberg: quibus commodum est; nor, with Bengel: those who are strong for the journey ; nor, with Er. Schmid and Wolf (comp. Castalio, de Dieu, and others): quibus in promptu sunt accusandi capita . Certainly if , Act 25:2 , were the same as , then would be unsuitable, as those persons in power were just the Sanhedrists ; wherefore must include also other prominent persons.
.] having gone down with me . Thuc. vi. 30. 2; Diod. xii. 30; Wis 10:13 ; Lobeck, ad Phryn . p. 398.
] namely, an object of accusation.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
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.
Ver. 5. That are able ] Or well appointed, well provided of moneys and other necessaries for such an enterprise. He that prosecutes another need be well underlaid.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
5. ] not, as in E. V., those among you that are able (to go down?): but, the powerful among you: those who from their position and influence are best calculated to represent the public interests. See Meyer and Wordsworth.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 25:5 . : change to the oratio recta , cf. Act 1:4 . For other instances of the insertion of the single words or , rare in N. T., see Simcox, Language of the New Testament , p. 200; cf. Act 23:35 , Act 26:25 , 1Co 6:16 , 2Co 10:10 , Heb 8:5 . : “Let them therefore, saith he, which are of power among you,” R.V.; not simply “which are able,” A.V., “qui in vobis potentes sunt,” Vulgate. The word may be used by Festus, because he was not acquainted with the Jewish official terms, or it may be used in a general way as in 1Co 1:26 . In Jos., B.J. , i., 12, 5, we have the expression, , cf. Thuc. i. 89, Polyb., ix., 23, 4; but in addition to this general use of the word Jos. frequently conjoins the with the as members of the Sanhedrim, Schrer, Jewish People , div. ii., vol. i., p. 178, E.T. This interpretation of the word is more natural than that adopted by Bengel: “ qui valent ad iter faciendum: urbanum Festi respondents Judis molestiam viae causantibus;” for other explanations see Wendt-Meyer, in loco. : “go down with me,” R.V., mecum; only here in N. T., in LXX, Ps. 48:17, Wis 10:13 , Dan. 3:49 (Theod. 3:49) = Song of the Three Children, Act 25:26 . , see critical note, and further on Act 28:6 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
among. Greek. en. App-104.
go down with. Greek. sunkatabaino. Only here.
accuse. Greek. kategoreo. See note on Act 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. en. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
5. ] not, as in E. V., those among you that are able (to go down?): but, the powerful among you: those who from their position and influence are best calculated to represent the public interests. See Meyer and Wordsworth.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 25:5. ) Those who are able, viz. to perform the journey [not, able to prove guilt in Paul]. The urbane (witty) of Festus is hereby expressed, as he thus answers the Jews, who made their pretext (for wishing Paul to be brought from Cesarea to Jerusalem) the troublesomeness of the journey.-, going down together) with me. The Court-house (Forum) does not follow the pleader (plaintiff).- , if aught) He does not simply and implicitly believe the Jews: Act 25:10, at the end.- ) in the man. So the Latin Vulg. with the best MSS. More recent authorities add .[141]
[141] Memph. and both Syr. Versions are the only very old authorities for : which Tisch. reads. But ABCEe Vulg. Lucifer omit , and add : and so Lachm.-E. and T.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
them: Act 25:16, Act 23:30, Act 24:8
if: Act 25:18, Act 25:19, Act 25:25, Act 18:14, 1Sa 24:11, 1Sa 24:12, Psa 7:3-5, Joh 18:29, Joh 18:30
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
Act 25:5. Festus invited the proper persons to accompany him to Caesarea and press their complaint aginst Paul. If there be any wickedness indicates he thought the Jews had some serious charge against the defendant.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 25:5. Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me. Bengel suggests that the expression, which among you are able, signifies those among you which are able to perform the journey. It is better, however, to understand the meaning to be those among you which are invested with official authority. This best reproduces the force of the Greek words . Festus, in his natural desire to gratify the influential persons of the nation over whom he was placed, never forgot that the accused was a Roman citizen.
And accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. The older MSS. read only, if there be anything in him; in other words, if there be any real grounds upon which he, as a Roman, ought to be again formally tried.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 1
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
5. Let those who are influential among you coming down prefer charges, if there is anything criminal in the man. In a few days Festus returns to Caesarea and the high priest, accompanied by his cohort of ecclesiastical notables, comes down from Jerusalem and stands up in prosecution of Paul, as on former occasions, utterly incompetent to bring against him a solitary charge, criminal in Roman law, but simply allegations of disharmony with the ecclesiasticism of which the Romans knew nothing and cared less. Pursuant to the persistent and vociferous clamors of the Jews, when Festus asked Paul if he was willing to go up to Jerusalem and be tried by him there, he then appeals to Caesar, claiming his right as a Roman citizen to stand at the highest tribunal of the empire, protesting that no one shall take his life merely to gratify the Jews, whom he has in no way injured.