Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 25:25
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
25. committed nothing worthy of death ] To ask for the life of a prisoner because of some offence against the religious observances of the Jews would be absurd in the eyes of a Roman officer. The best texts give at the beginning of this verse “But I found that, &c.”
to Augustus ] See note on Act 25:21.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The calumny of the Jews adds to the reputation of St. Paul: so many enemies, and so long in finding or making a fault that might reach his life, and yet to be disappointed! Paul and his religion are vindicated by the testimony of Lysias, the chief captain, Act 23:29, and of Felix, the governor, Act 24:25, and here by Festus, as afterwards by Agrippa too, Act 26:32. So mighty is truth and innocence, that they do prevail sooner or later.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death,…. Which was a public testimony of the apostle’s innocence, to the great mortification of his enemies, some of whom might be present; a like testimony was given of him by Lysias, Ac 23:29.
And that he himself hath appealed unto Augustus; the Emperor Nero; see Ac 25:21.
I have determined to send him; having had the opinion of his council upon it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
But I found ( ). Second aorist middle of , to lay hold of, to grasp, to comprehend as in Acts 4:13; Acts 10:34.
That he had committed nothing worthy of death ( ). Perfect active infinitive of in indirect assertion with negative and accusative of general reference, the usual idiom. Verse 25 repeats the statement in verse 21, perhaps for the benefit of the assembled dignitaries.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “But when I found,” (ego de katelabomen) “But I discovered,” I found out by meticulous inquiry.
2) “That he had committed nothing worthy of death,” (meden aksion auton thanatou peprachenai) “Not one thing he had done worthy of or that merited death,” so far as a criminal deed was concerned, under Roman law, so far as my jurisdiction reaches; Act 25:11; Act 23:9; Act 23:29.
3) “And that he himself hath appealed to Augustus,” (autou de toutou epikalesamenou ton Sebaston) “Then when he himself appealed to Caesar Augustus,” to the Roman Emperor, Act 25:12.
4) I have determined to send him.” (ekrina pempein) “I decided to send him,” when it was convenient, Act 25:12; Act 26:31-32. I made a judgement that there was nothing also I could do, on the basis of his own public appeal, and the fact or evidence that he is a freeborn Roman, Act 21:25-29; Act 25:10-12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(25) When I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death.The words should be noted as an emphatic declaration on the part of Festus that the accusers had failed to sustain their indictment. But a procurator transmitting a case to the supreme court of the emperor was bound to send a formal report as to the matter out of which the appeal arose, and it was on this point that the perplexed ruler desired the advice and co-operation of Agrippa.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
“But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him, of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before you, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.”
On the other hand he, Festus, had found that Paul had committed nothing worthy of death. However, the man, as a Roman citizen, had appealed to Caesar, and he had therefore determined to send him. The trouble was that he did not know what to charge him with. So this assembly had been gathered together, especially having the expert on the Jews, Agrippa II in mind, so as to determine what should be included in the charge put before Caesar.
‘My lord.’ This is a unique use in Acts of this term by itself as referring to the emperor. It may indicate Festus’ reaction to the constant use in his presence of ‘the Lord’ as indicating Jesus. As far as he was concerned his lord was the emperor.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
Ver. 25. Nothing worthy of death ] What an honour and comfort was this to the apostle! Lysias acquits him, so doth Felix, and now Festus; neither doth Agrippa dissent. See Trapp on “ Act 25:6 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
25. ] he himself moreover . These reasons did really coexist as influencing his determination. Mr. Lewin cites, on Act 25:12 , Dig. xlix. 1. 16: ‘Constitutiones qu de recipiendis, necnon, appellationibus loquuntur, ut nihil novi fiat, locum non habent in eorum persona quos damnatos statim puniri publici interest, ut sunt insignes latrones, vel seditionum concitatores, vel duces factionum .’
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 25:25 . , cf. Act 4:13 and Act 10:34 ; Eph 3:18 . .: “sanctius hoc nomen erat quam Csar ,” Blass. , cf. Act 24:15 , Thuc., vi., 33 (Wetstein).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
found = perceived. Greek. katalambano. See Act 4:13.
committed = done.
nothing. Greek. medeis.
have determined = decided. Greek. krino. App-122.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
25. ] he himself moreover. These reasons did really coexist as influencing his determination. Mr. Lewin cites, on Act 25:12, Dig. xlix. 1. 16: Constitutiones qu de recipiendis, necnon, appellationibus loquuntur, ut nihil novi fiat, locum non habent in eorum persona quos damnatos statim puniri publici interest, ut sunt insignes latrones, vel seditionum concitatores, vel duces factionum.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
committed: Act 23:9, Act 23:29, Act 26:31, Luk 23:4, Luk 23:14, Joh 18:38
and that: Act 25:11, Act 25:12
Augustus: The honourable title of [Strong’s G4575], or Augustus, that is venerable or august, which was first conferred by the senate on Octavius Caesar, was afterwards assumed by succeeding Roman emperors.
Reciprocal: Deu 21:22 – General Jer 26:16 – General Jer 37:18 – General Act 25:5 – if Act 25:10 – as thou Act 26:32 – appealed Act 27:1 – when Act 28:19 – I was
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
Act 25:25. Agrippa had not been asked to listen as a trial judge, for Paul had already taken his case to another court. The statement of Festus, therefore, in declaring Paul innocent of any capital crime, was not an effort to prejudice Agrippa.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
See notes on verse 23