Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 25:7
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.
7. the Jews which came, &c.] Better, with Rev. Ver., “which had come, &c.”
stood round about ] The best authorities give “ round about him.” They were eager to set upon him, and so compassed him on every side.
and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul ] The best MSS. have nothing for the last two words. Read, with Rev. Ver., following a slightly different text, “bringing against him many and grievous charges.” In the two years lapse of time they had gathered up every rumour which they could collect, and these they brought forward, even though they could not support them by evidence.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Grievous complaints – Heavy accusations. Doubtless the same with which they had charged him before Felix, Act 24:5-6. Compare Act 25:19.
Which they could not prove – Act 24:13, Act 24:19.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Act 25:7-12
The Jews laid many and grievous complaints against Paul.
The noble firmness of the Christian in the maintenance of his rights
It is different–
I. From the effrontery of the hypocrite; for the Christian only makes use of a defence founded on fact (Act 25:8).
II. From the defiance of the wicked; for the Christian refuses no judicial examination (Act 25:9-10).
III. From the obstinacy of the litigious; for the Christian submits to every just decision. (Robe.)
The Christian and the world
I. The world has many grievous complaints against the Christian. The Jews, who were the spirit of the world incarnate, had many indeed against Paul which were perfectly true. He was a constant source of irritation because he was a standing menace to their moral corruptions, their superstitious traditions, the policy and ambition of their priests, and their wholesale apostasy from God. So is the Christian an uncompromising enemy to the worlds darling sins, its base pleasures, its unworthy methods, and its low aims. Hence there can be no peace between the two.
II. These are not the complaints that are preferred. The Jews knew better than to air their real grievances, so they accused Paul of offences against their best institutions–the law and the temple, and of treason against the state. So the world masks its real grievances, and charges the Christian with enmity against mans best interests.
1. Happiness. How often has Christianity been charged with moroseness? Not only does it deprive men of the means of enjoyment, but inculcates practices calculated to produce positive pain.
2. Progress. How its precepts would impede the course of commerce, arms, personal and national aggrandisement, thought, etc.
3. Political order. How can a man who lives for another world take an absorbing and influential interest in this?
III. For the overt complaints of the world the Christian should have a prompt answer. Pauls answer was a model of promptness: and it was true. He had put the law in its proper place and had everywhere vindicated its true functions. As for the temple, he had honoured it, and by that very act had imperilled his life. As for Caesar, the emperor had no more loyal subject, and none more solicitous of promoting loyalty throughout the empire. And against the worlds accusation the Christian can say–
1. That Christianity alone can and does promote the true happiness of man.
2. That Christianity has been and is the truest friend of the worlds progress.
3. That the Christian by the doctrine of a future life is bound to maintain the best interests of this.
IV. The Christian should refuse to be arraigned before this worlds tribunals and should make his appeal to the highest. Paul knew that justice at the hands of his accusers was out of the question, and therefore appealed to the only bar at which it was likely to be obtained. So the Christian, if he be wise, will decline the worlds arbitrament. By it he is condemned already. What use therefore of appealing to it? But there is One who judges with righteous and infallible judgment, and he may appeal with confidence to Him. Let men frown as they may, clamour as they may–the Christian need not be frightened and should not give way for an instant. His court of appeal is the judgment seat of Christ. (J. W. Burn.)
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure.—
Popularity
I. The motive by which it is actuated. Festus was willing to do the Jews a pleasure that he might stand the higher in their esteem. This was necessary to his personal comfort, for he knew the race that he had to govern. This was desirable for the ultimate ends he had in view–successful administration; royal favour. It is remarkable that with the examples of Pilate and Festus before him he should hope to succeed.
1. This motive is a base one. Ambition to please the good and to improve the bad is laudable; but ambition to please the basest is self-degradation.
2. This motive seldom succeeds. Witness Pilate and Festus.
II. The sacrifices it entails. Festus proposed to undertake the toilsome journey to Jerusalem. But to what inconveniences is a popularity hunter obliged to subject himself. He must go where those whom he desires please, and do what they would have him do. Hence the toilsome days and sleepless nights of the popular preacher or politician. He who would really serve his race is not exempt from sacrifice; but he has compensations which the mere popularity seeker wets not of.
III. The degradation to which it stoops. Here is a Roman judge armed with all the authority that Caesar could confer, willing to surrender that authority and to bow to that which was already discredited. And the man who would be popular has often to descend from the highest ground to the lowest, from a sense of justice, honour, and the fitness of things to pander to the base inclinations or passions of the mob.
IV. The accidents to which it is liable. Suppose Paul had been tried at Jerusalem. Had the case gone against him he would certainly have appealed, and Festus would have had to endorse the appeal. In that event his popularity would have indeed been brief. And what a little thing has often sufficed to dash a popular idol to the ground! Both preachers and statesmen know this.
V. The frustration to which it is doomed. Suppose Festus had succeeded, how long would he have enjoyed his popularity? In two short years he was where the objects of the idolatry and the execration of the mob alike lie together. Sic transit gloria mundi. Conclusion: The best course is to do the right and thus seek Gods pleasure, whether man is pleased or not. (J. W. Burn.)
I appeal unto Caesar.
The appeal to Caesar
This is a proof–
1. Of conscience void of offence before God and man.
2. Of a humble submission to Divinely ordained authority.
3. Of an evangelical and sober avoidance of an unnecessary martyrdom.
4. Of an unwearied zeal for the extension of the kingdom of God. (K. Gerok.)
The appeal to Caesar
Where may a Christian seek his denied rights? He may appeal–
1. From the sentence of the wicked to the judgment of the righteous.
2. From the passions of the moment to the justice of the future.
3. From the opinions of the world to the testimony of his own conscience.
4. From the tribunal of man to the judgment seat of God. (K. Gerok.)
Unto Caesar thou shalt go.–
I. Whence this decisive sentence proceeded.
1. From Festus as the speaker.
2. From Paul as the wisher of it.
3. From the Lord as the designer and confirmer of it.
II. To whom it related.
1. To Paul as its subject.
2. To the Romans, who should soon be affected by it–many were converted by Paul.
3. To the world in general.
III. The results which followed it.
1. The plan of the Jews for Pauls murder was frustrated.
2. Pauls wish to go to Rome was fulfilled. (J. H. Tasson.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 7. The Jews – laid many and grievous complaints against Paul] As they must have perceived that the Roman governors would not intermeddle with questions of their law, c., they no doubt invented some new charges, such as sedition, treason, &c., in order to render the mind of the governor evil affected towards Paul but their malicious designs were defeated, for assertion would not go for proof before a Roman tribunal: this court required proof, and the blood-thirsty persecutors of the apostle could produce none.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
When he was come; the judge sat, and the prisoner brought.
The Jews which came down from Jerusalem; his accusers, which were many, and came with a full cry against him,
stood round about him, or about the judgment seat.
Many and grievous complaints; what these accusations were, appears in the next verse by Pauls answer; but they could not demonstrate them, or make them evident; and if it were sufficient to accuse, no man could be innocent.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7. the Jews . . . fromJerusalemclamorously, as at Jerusalem; see Ac25:24.
many and grievous complaintsagainst PaulFrom his reply, and Festus’ statement of the casebefore Agrippa, these charges seem to have been a jumble of politicaland religious matter which they were unable to substantiate, andvociferous cries that he was unfit to live. Paul’s reply, not givenin full, was probably little more than a challenge to prove any oftheir charges, whether political or religious.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when he was come,…. Into court:
the Jews which came down from Jerusalem; along with Festus, perhaps the high priest with the elders, and Tertullus the orator, as before:
stood round about; either the Apostle Paul, or the judgment seat; the witnesses and accusers were to stand, as well as the person accused; [See comments on Mr 14:57].
And laid many and grievous complaints against Paul; which they could not prove; for his moral conversation, both before and after conversion, was very strict and conformable to the laws of God and man; and yet as pure and inoffensive as he was, he was not exempt from the calumnies of men; and these many and very grievous; but it was his happiness, and to his honour through the grace of God, that his enemies could not make good anyone thing against him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When he was come ( ). Genitive absolute of common verb (cf. 24:24).
Which had come down ( ). Perfect active participle of . They had come down on purpose at the invitation of Festus (verse 5), and were now ready.
Stood round about him ( ). Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) of , 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 (). Bearing down on. See on Acts 20:9; Acts 26:10, only N.T. examples of this ancient verb.
Many and grievous charges ( ). This word for old form 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 (heavy) used with (wolves) in 20:29.
Which they could not prove ( ). Imperfect active of , to have strength or power as in Acts 19:16; Acts 19:20. Repetition and reiteration and vehemence took the place of proof (, first aorist active infinitive of , to show forth, old verb, in N.T. only here, Ac 2:22 which see and 1Co 4:9).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And when he was come,” (paragenomenou de autou) “And when he arrived,” when Paul arrived in court, from where he had been in chains, bound for two years, Act 24:26-27.
2) “The Jews which came down from Jerusalem, (hoi apo leurosolumon katabebekotes loudaioi) “The Jews who had come down from Jerusalem,” the most influential ones that could be enlisted from the official Jewry, of priests, elders, and the Sanhedrin council, before whom Paul had appeared two years earlier, Act 22:30; Act 23:1-2; Act 24:1.
3) “Stood round about,” (periestasan auton) “Stood around him,” in a circle-like formation, similar to the method by which the Jewish Sanhedrin stood the accused, in their semicircle midst, Act 4:5-7; Act 5:24; Act 5:27; Act 5:41.
4) “And laid many and grievous complaints against Paul,” (polla kai barea aitomata katapherontes) “And brought many heavy charges against him,” against Paul; They, like Tertullus, two years earlier, brought weighty charges against Paul, laid it on thick. But to charge with guilt does not justify, if one has no evidence that the heavy, serious charges are true, See? Act 24:5-8; Act 24:13.
5) “Which they could not prove.” (a ouk eschuon apo deiksai) “Which they were not able (strong enough) to prove, did not have evidence to sustain.” The charges were hot-air-charges from sharp-tongued, devil directed, lying Jewish religious officials who were covetous of their popular positions in religious Judaism, positions of influence that they saw being supplanted by the power and influence of Jesus Christ and His church, Act 25:18.
They had charged him with: 1) Sedition or treason, 2) Heresy, and 3) Profaning the temple of the Jews, none of which they could prove. The only thing they proved was that their hearts were not right with God, Jer 17:9; Rom 10:9-13.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
−
7. Many and grievous crimes. So long as Paul lived under the law, his integrity was well known and famous. Again, when he was converted to Christ, he was a singular pattern of innocence. Yet we see how he is subject to many slanders, cruel and false accusations. And this is almost always the estate of the servants of Christ, wherefore they must be the more courageous, to pass valiantly through evil report and good report; neither let them think it strange to be evil reported of where they have done good. −
In the mean season, they must do their endeavor, that they may not only have a clear conscience before God, but that they may be very well able to defend themselves before men, when they have time and place. For Paul doth not fail in his cause, but courageously setteth the defense of his innocency against their false crimes. Furthermore, let us note that the wicked can never be bridled, but they will speak evil of good men, and will impudently slander them; for they resemble the nature of Satan, by whose spirit they are led. Therefore, whereas we be commanded to stop the mouth of the wicked, it must not be so taken as if he shall be free from all backbiting, − (598) whosoever shall behave himself uprightly, but that our life may answer for us, and may wipe away all blots of false infamy. So we see the adversaries of Paul, though they had a favorable judge, yet their slanders were all in vain, seeing he did defend and avouch his innocency by his deeds. And yet it is likely that they wanted not false witnesses, neither were they slack in suborning them; but because the Lord giveth his servants invincible strength, so that the brightness of honesty doth drive away their vain clouds; they are ashamed, and at length they depart from the judgment-seat with this infamy, that they were false accusers. But the defense of Paul doth show what things the Jews laid principally to his charge. The first crime was ungodliness against God, that he overthrew the law and polluted the temple; the other, rebellion against Caesar and the Roman empire, because he raised tumults everywhere. He was helped by the singular grace of God to answer and refute both, who maketh the innocence of his as bright as the morning.
(598) −
“
Ab omni falsa obtrectatione,” from all groundless detractation.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(7) Many and grievous complaints.These were, we may well believe, of the same nature as those on which Tertullus had harangued. The line of St. Pauls defence indicates the three counts of the indictment. He had broken, it was alleged, the law of Israel, which Rome recognised as the religion of the province, and was therefore subject to the spiritual jurisdiction of the Sanhedrin; he had profaned the Temple; he was a disturber of the peace of the empire, and taught that there was another king than Nero.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Was come Festus seats himself upon the bema, or judicial elevation, his council (Act 25:12) or assessors are seated beside him; Paul is called from the guard room of the palace, and the Jews earnestly press around the tribunal.
Could not prove The court was not convinced by the evidence. (See Act 25:18.)
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And when he was come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,’
Present also in the court were the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem for the purpose, who stood around him bringing against Paul ‘many and grievous charges which they could not prove.’ It was, however, a maxim of Roman justice, as of Jewish justice, that a man could not be convicted on accusation alone. There must be evidence and a case must be proved. And Festus was a just man.
We note that this is the third opportunity that Paul has had to speak and witness before prominent Jews. We may assume that not all were proof against his testimony. Even among these men some were being won for Christ.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
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.
Ver. 7. Laid many and grievous complaints against Paul ] Whereby to take away his precious life: which because they could not, they had little comfort of their own. Some of their own Talmudists have observed that the devil was as much wounded with that restraint that he should not take away Job’s life, as Job was with all those wounds that the devil inflicted on his body.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
7. ] Without the , as in rec., this might mean round the , or round Festus: and perhaps the insertion has been made to clear this up.
, bringing against him: see var. readd. and ref.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 25:7 . : if we add , see critical note, “stood round about him,” i.e. , Paul, R.V., “periculum intentantes,” Bengel. ( Cf. Joh 11:42 , Jdt 5:22 , omit 1 .) : “many and (indeed) heavy,” etc., Winer-Moulton, lix., 3, perhaps as in Mat 23:23 , weighty, of great moment. ., see critical note. . in schylus and Thucydides. For , Act 26:10 , cf. Deu 22:14 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
came = had come.
stood round about. Greek. periistimi. Only here; Joh 11:42. 2Ti 2:16. Tit 3:9.
and laid, &c. The texts read, “bringing against him”.
complaints = charges. Greek. aitiama. Only here.
could = were . . . able to. See Act 15:10.
prove. Greek. apodeiknumi. See Act 2:22.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
7. ] Without the , as in rec., this might mean round the , or round Festus: and perhaps the insertion has been made to clear this up.
, bringing against him: see var. readd. and ref.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 25:7. , stood round about) threatening danger.-, many) Where many charges are alleged, often not even one is true.- , and grievous) What these were is intimated in the following verse-, bringing) with clamour: Act 25:24.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
and laid: Act 25:24, Act 21:28, Act 24:5, Act 24:6, Act 24:13, Ezr 4:15, Est 3:8, Psa 27:12, Psa 35:11, Mat 5:11, Mat 5:12, Mat 26:60-62, Mar 15:3, Mar 15:4, Luk 23:2, Luk 23:10, 1Pe 4:14-16
Reciprocal: Ezr 4:6 – wrote Neh 6:8 – There are Psa 31:18 – speak Act 6:11 – they Act 23:29 – but Act 25:19 – certain Act 28:18 – General 1Pe 2:12 – that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7
Act 25:7. The Jews had never appeared at Caesarea while Felix was in office, though they had two years to do so. For some reason they seemed to think they would succeed better with their case before Festus. Many and grievous complaints were doubtless general, and it was not definitely shown whether Paul was accused as an offender against the secular or the religious laws, or both.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 25:7. 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. As Festus had signified (see Act 25:4), he speedily went clown again to Csarea; and without any loss of time, on the day following his return, he summoned Paul before him. His enemies in the meantime had also arrived, and they seem to have gathered round the prisoner in the judgment-hall in a menacing manner, probably hoping to intimidate him. Without doubt the many grievous com-plaints alleged included the profanation of the temple, but other points seem to have been urged which they were unable to prove. Treason against the state, of course, was the basis of these new charges. The Thessalonian outbreak and the old charge that the apostle had been teaching that allegiance was due to another king than Csar (Act 17:6-8), were raked up, perhaps this time with witnesses; but all these things were untrue and unreal, and the Roman saw through the attempt, and listened and evidently believed Pauls denial of any treasonable designs against the emperor. But in spite of his conviction of the prisoners innocence of what he naturally deemed the graver charge, he seems to have felt that in some way or another the accused had transgressed some of the regulations and laws of his own strange people, and that it would be well if he would agree (he never forgot the prisoner was a citizen of Rome) to be handed over to the national Jewish courts.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 6
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
25:7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which {a} they could not prove.
(a) They could not prove them certainly and without undoubted reasons.