Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 25:14
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:
14. And when they had been there many days] Rev. Ver. “And as they tarried there many days;” a rendering which may be taken to mean that the length of their stay was a reason why Festus set Paul’s cause before the king. This is not the sense of the Greek, so the A. V. appears the better rendering.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Festus declared Pauls cause – He did this, probably, because Agrippa, being a Jew, would be supposed to he interested in the case. It was natural that this trial should be a topic of conversation, and perhaps Festus might be disposed to ask what was proper to be done in such cases.
Left in bonds – Greek: a prisoner – desmios. He was left in custody, probably in the keeping of a soldier, Act 24:23, Act 24:27.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 14. Declared Paul’s cause unto the king] Festus knew that Agrippa was better acquainted with such matters than he was; and he wished, in some sort, to make him a party in this business.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Festus declared Pauls cause unto the king; either amongst common discourse, or matter of novelty, and for the strangeness of it, or for his advice about it. Howsoever, by this means the wickedness of the Jews was published, and the safety of St. Paul provided for, and Gods design of publishing the gospel at Rome itself furthered.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14, 15. when there many“several”
days, Festus declared Paul’scausetaking advantage of the presence of one who might bepresumed to know such matters better than himself; though the lapseof “several days” ere the subject was touched on shows thatit gave Festus little trouble.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And when they had been there many days,…. Indulging themselves in pleasure, and spending their time in conversing on various subjects; and in order to carry on the conversation, and pass away time,
Festus declared Paul’s case unto the king; in the following manner:
saying, there is a certain man left in bonds by Felix; the former governor in Caesarea, meaning Paul.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Tarried (). Imperfect active of , common verb for spending time (Ac 12:19, etc.).
Many days ( ). More days (than a few). Accusative case for extent of time.
Laid Paul’s case ( ). Second aorist middle indicative of , old verb to set before, to place up, as if for consultation in conference. Only twice in N.T. here and Ga 2:2. The motive of Festus is not given, though it was natural enough in view of the quandary of Festus about Paul (the things about Paul) and Agrippa’s interest in and responsibility for Jewish worship in the temple in Jerusalem. It is quite possible that Festus had a bit of over the visit of these Jewish dignitaries as “more days” went by. Hence the tone of Festus about Paul in this proposal for the entertainment of Agrippa and Bernice is certainly one of superficial and supremely supercilious indifference.
Left a prisoner ( ). Perfect passive participle of , to leave behind. Paul is one of Felix’s left overs (left behind), a sort of “junk” left on his hands. This cowardly Roman procurator thus pictures the greatest of living men and the greatest preacher of all time to this profligate pair (brother and sister) of sinners. Undoubtedly today in certain circles Christ and his preachers are held up to like contempt.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And when they had been there many days,” (his de peious herneras dietribon ekei) “And as they stayed there an extended number of days,” several days.
2) “Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king “ (ho Phestos to basilei anetheto ta kata ton Paulon) “Festus set before the king (explained) the matters regarding Paul; Agrippa was governor over the Jerusalem Temple, which Paul was said to have profaned. He laid out the matter before the king.
3) “There is a certain man,” (legon aner tis estin) “Saying, there is (exists) here a certain man,” a rather special man, involved in Jewish and Christian religious matters of controversy.
4) “Left in bonds by Felix: ‘ (kataleleimmenos hupo Phelikos desmios) “A prisoner of chains who was left behind by Felix,” Act 24:26-27; Act 25:9. It was natural for Festus to consult King Herod, first because of his jurisdiction over the Temple in appointing the high priests, and second because he was an older brother-in-law.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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14. When many days. Therefore, when (after some time was spent) they wanted matter of talk, as idle men use to invent somewhat whereon they may talk, mention was made of Paul; for Luke meant to note that, when he said that after many days were idly spent, Festus told the king of a certain man which lay bound. And although he doth here both touch the malice of the priests, and also make a show of wonderful equity on his part, yet in that he shortly after cleareth the party which was accused, he condemneth himself unawares, when as he confesseth that he was enforced to appeal that he might not be carried to Jerusalem. −
But when Festus commendeth the Romans, he showeth what doth beseem judges. And if nature did tell profane men thus much, that they must admit no such favor as may oppress the guiltless, how much more must judges (who have the light of the word of God) be careful to avoid all corruption. −
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) Festus declared Pauls cause unto the king.The matter seems to have come in, as it were, in the course of conversation. Festus probably thought that Agrippa, who knew all about the Jews and their religion, could throw some light on the peculiar position of his prisoner, who, though a Jew, and professing the utmost reverence for the Law and the Temple, was yet accused and denounced by his compatriots.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. Many days It would not do to bring a case of business forward too soon.
Paul’s cause unto the king New in office, and entirely ignorant both of Christianity and of the interior of the Jewish theology, Festus turns to Agrippa for aid. The father of Agrippa and Bernice was both studious and zealous in regard to the rites and tenets of Judaism; and they were, no doubt, themselves fully indoctrinated. Nor is it to be doubted that they had a knowledge of the history of Jesus traditional in their family. They were fully acquainted with the excitement produced by the marvellous conversion of Saul of Tarsus. (Act 26:26.) Agrippa was precisely the man, therefore, to counsel Festus, and both he and Bernice were persons sure to be interested in seeing and hearing the leader of the Christians.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the King.’
Festus saw Agrippa as a Godsend. Agrippa was seen by the Romans as an expert on Jewish affairs. Who better then to sort out these problems about the charges brought against Paul?
So while Agrippa and Bernice were staying with him ‘many days’ he took the opportunity of laying the case before the king. His words to Agrippa reveal his puzzlement and the dilemma he found himself in. He wanted to behave justly but he could not understand either party. He had been left by his predecessor with a prisoner that he was finding it difficult to make anything of. On the one hand all the Jews could accuse Paul of were religious matters. On the other Paul, for some reason, did not want to be judged in Jerusalem, and thus had appealed to Caesar. And as he did not really understand what the charges were against the man, he did not know what on earth he was going to give Caesar as the reason why he had sent him to him.
We must appreciate that he had not been in his position long enough to understand all the intricacies of current Jewish politics, nor to understand their depth of religious feeling and bigotry. He was a plain, relatively honest man out of his depth.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 25:14 . The following conversation between Festus and Agrippa most naturally appears not as a communication by an ear-witness (Riehm, Kuinoel), but as drawn up by Luke himself as a free composition; for he had the materials for the purpose in his accurate information, received from Paul, as to the occurrence set forth in Act 25:7 ff.
] he set forth, enarravit , Gal 2:2 . His design in this was (see Act 25:26 f.) to learn the opinion of the king; for Agrippa, as an Idumean, as belonging himself to Judaism (comp. Act 26:27 ; also Schoettg. Hor . p. 481), and especially as chief overseer of the temple and of the election of high priest (Joseph. Antt . xx. 1. 3), was accurately acquainted with the state of Jewish affairs.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
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:
Ver. 14. A certain man left in bonds ] Wherein he glorieth more than others in their gold chains,Eph 3:1Eph 3:1 ; Phm 1:1 . Non ita beatum Paulum puto, saith Chrysostom, Eph 3:1 , quod in coelum raptus, quam quod in carcerem coniectus: I hold not Paul so happy in his rapture as in his captivity.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
14. ] laid before , so reff. He did this, not only because Agrippa was a Jew, but because he was (see above) governor of the temple .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 25:14 . : only in Luke and Paul, cf. Gal 2:2 . “Laid Paul’s case before the king,” R.V., cf. Mal 3:9Mal 3:9 , and instances in Wetstein, Gal 2:2 . In the middle voice the idea is that of relating with a view to consulting, so here ( cf. Act 25:20 ; Act 25:26 , Lightfoot on Gal 2:2 ); it was natural for Festus thus to consult Agrippa, see above on Act 25:13 .
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
had been = had tarried, as in Act 25:6.
declared = set forth. Greek. anatithemi. Only here and Gal 1:2, Gal 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 Heb 13:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
14. ] laid before, so reff. He did this, not only because Agrippa was a Jew, but because he was (see above) governor of the temple.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 25:14. , more) Festus handles the matter concerning Paul negligently.-, a man) The whole language of Festus savours of the new governor.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
There: Act 24:27
Reciprocal: Act 23:24 – Felix Act 26:29 – except 2Co 6:9 – unknown 2Co 11:23 – in prisons
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
Act 25:14-15. Festus told his royal guest of Paul, and of the circumstances that brought him as a defendant before him.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 25:14. Festus declared Pauls cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix. It has been suggested that the reason of this communication on the part of Festus, was a desire to interest his visitor by bringing under the kings notice one who was bitterly and persistently attacked by the leading men of his nationthe Jews; but after all, it is simpler to suppose that the Roman governor was anxious to learn more of the strange man and those pretensions of his, which evidently excited among his more influential countrymen an intense hatred, in order that he might send to Rome with the prisoner who had appealed to the emperors tribunal, a clear and definite story of the cause. At present there is no doubt that Festus was not a little mystified as to the whole matter, and he felt that from Agrippa he would be likely to get to the bottom of the reasons of the hatred of the high priest and Sanhedrim, and the seeming obstinacy of Paul.
Agrippa, besides, was not merely a Jew, as Festus considered, by birth and education, but was also the appointed guardian of the temple, which was the scene of one of the three crimes charged against the prisoner.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Act 25:14-16. When they had been there many days Among other subjects of discourse which occurred, Festus declared Pauls cause unto the king For, as the crime of which he was accused related wholly to the Jewish religion, in which the king was very knowing, Festus wished to have his opinion upon it; and for that purpose began telling him that Felix had left Paul in bonds, and that the chief priests and elders at Jerusalem had applied to him, desiring judgment against him As upon a previous conviction falsely pretended. To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans When a crime is charged upon a person; to deliver any man to be put to death before he who is accused have the accusers Openly produced to give their evidence against him; face to face, and he have also license to answer for himself To make his defence; concerning the crime laid against him 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.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
14-21. Festus knew that the charges against Paul had reference to the Jewish law; but he still had not a sufficient understanding of the case to report it intelligibly to the emperor, as he now had to do, under Paul’s appeal. He determined, therefore, to obtain the benefit of Agrippa’s more familiar acquaintance with Jewish affairs. (14) “And when they had passed many days there, Festus set forth before the king the facts concerning Paul, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, (15) concerning whom, when I was in Jerusalem, the high priests and elders of the Jews informed me, demanding judgment against him. (16) To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man up to death before the accused has the accusers face to face, and has an opportunity for defense concerning the accusation. (17) Then they came hither, and I, making no delay, sat on the judgment-seat the next day, and commanded the man to be brought: (18) concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed. (19) But they had against him certain questions concerning their own demon-worship, and concerning a certain Jesus who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. (20) And I, being perplexed in the dispute about this matter, asked if he wished to go to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these things. (21) But Paul made an appeal to be kept for the examination of Augustus, and I commanded him to be kept till I shall send him to Csar.” From this speech it appears that the perplexity of Festus was not so much in reference to the main issue between the Jews and Paul, as in reference to the bearing which the case had upon Roman law. He discovered that the main issue between the parties had reference to that “Jesus who had died, and whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” This Jesus being claimed by Paul as an object of worship, he supposed it was an instance of that demon-worship, or worship of dead men deified, which was common among the Greeks and Romans. It is for this reason that he characterizes all their charges against him as “certain questions concerning their demon-worship.” By overlooking the exact mental status of the speaker, and the etymological force of the term deisideimonia, commentators have failed to give it the proper meaning both here and in chapter 17:22 .
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Festus reviewed Paul’s situation and confessed his own surprise at the nature of the charges the Jews had brought against him. They were matters concerning the Jewish religion (cf. Act 18:15; Act 23:29) and the resurrection of Jesus. Luke did not record that Paul had spoken to Festus about Jesus’ resurrection previously, but apparently he had. Festus did not know how to deal with these charges (Act 25:20).
"It is interesting that by this stage the question of Paul’s alleged desecration of the temple has quite disappeared from sight, and the topic of the resurrection (Act 23:4; Act 24:21) has replaced it. . . . The real ground of dispute is that Paul preaches the resurrection of Jesus, something which the Sadducees refused to believe on principle and which the Pharisees likewise refused to believe although they admitted the fact of a final resurrection of all men." [Note: Marshall, The Acts . . ., p. 388.]
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Festus apparently wanted to discuss Paul’s case with Agrippa because he needed to clarify the charges against Paul (Act 25:27). Agrippa had a reputation for being an expert in Jewish matters since he was part Jewish and had grown up in the Herodian family. He was the person to whom Rome had given the authority to appoint the Jewish high priest and to preserve the temple treasury and vestments. [Note: Idem, Antiquities of . . ., 20:9:4, 7.]