4<\/strong>. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept<\/em>, &c.] This hardly gives the force of the original, which is better rendered in the Rev. Ver.<\/em>, “that Paul was kept in charge at Csarea.” The governor’s position was that the prisoner had been placed by his predecessor in a certain state of custody, and that this could not be interfered with.<\/p>\n would<\/em> ( R. V.<\/em> was about to) depart shortly thither<\/em> ] A governor newly arrived must move about actively, and could not remain long even in the capital. To have waited till all the arrangements, which the accusing party were supposed to be ready to make, were complete, would have consumed time, which must be occupied in learning the details of his provincial charge.<\/p>\n But Festus answered … – <\/B>What induced Festus to refuse their request is not known. It is probable, however, that he was apprised that Paul was a Roman citizen, and that his case could not come before the Jewish Sanhedrin, but must be heard by himself. As Caesarea was also at that time the residence of the Roman governor, and the place of holding the courts, and as Paul was lodged there safely, there did not appear to be any sufficient reason for removing him to Jerusalem for trial. Festus, however, granted them all that they could reasonably ask, and assured them that he should have a speedy trial.<\/P> <\/p>\n Verse 4<\/span>. Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea<\/B><\/I>] It is truly astonishing that Festus should refuse this favour to the heads of the Jewish nation, which, to those who were not in the secret, must appear so very reasonable; and especially as, on his coming to the government, it might be considered an act that was likely to make him popular; and he could have no interest in denying their request. But God had told Paul that he should testify of him at Rome; and he disposed the heart of Festus to act as he did; and thus disappointed the malice of the Jews, and fulfilled his own gracious design.<\/P> <\/P> He – would depart shortly<\/B><\/I>] So had the providence<\/I> of God disposed matters that Festus was obliged to return speedily to Caesarea; and thus had not time to preside in such a trial at Jerusalem. And this reason must appear sufficient to the Jews; and especially as he gave them all liberty to come and appear against him, who were able to prove<\/I> the alleged charges.<\/P> <\/p>\n It is most probable that Festus had been informed by Felix of the Jews malice against Paul; for Felix having been accused by the Jews unto the emperor, might be supposed to have recriminated wheresoever he had any opportunity; and in all the time of his government they were not guilty of a worse fact than their design against Paul, it being sedition, and intended murder of one who had the privilege of a Roman citizen. <\/P> He himself would depart shortly thither; <\/B>the governors kept their courts wheresoever they came. <\/P> <\/p>\n 4-6. answered that Paul should bekept<\/B>rather, “is in custody.” <\/P> at Csarea, and . . .himself would depart shortly thither.<\/B><\/P><\/p>\n But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea<\/strong>,…. Or that he was kept there, and was in proper custody, under the care of a centurion, and should continue there; nor was there any reason why he should be removed, especially since he should return thither speedily, as he adds:<\/p>\n and that he himself would depart shortly thither<\/strong>; the answer was a very wise and prudent one, and the reasons given were just and strong; as that Paul had been sent to Caesarea, was left bound by his predecessor there; there he found him, and there he was under a proper guard, and there it was right for him to continue; and besides, he himself should make no stay in Jerusalem, but should depart for Caesarea in a few days, and therefore it was very improper to send for Paul thither.<\/p>\n Howbeit <\/B> ( <\/SPAN><\/span>). No antithesis expressed, though Page considers <\/SPAN><\/span> in verse 6<\/span> to be one. They probably argued that it was easier for one man (Paul) to come to Jerusalem than for many to go down there. But Festus was clearly suspicious (verse 6<\/span>) and was wholly within his rights to insist that they make their charges in Caesarea where he held court.<\/P> Was kept in charge <\/B> (<\/SPAN><\/span>). Present passive infinitive of <\/SPAN><\/span> in indirect assertion. H<\/SPAN><\/span> with finite verb is more common after <\/SPAN><\/span>, but the infinitive with the accusative of general reference is proper as here (Robertson, Grammar<\/I>, p. 1036).<\/P> Shortly <\/B> ( <\/SPAN><\/span>). In quickness, in speed. Old and common usage, seen already in Luke 18:8<\/span>; Acts 12:7<\/span>; Acts 22:18<\/span>. Festus is clearly within his rights again since his stay in Caesarea had been so brief. He did go down in “eight or ten days” (verse 6<\/span>). Luke did not consider the matter important enough to be precise. <\/P> <\/p>\n Should be kept [] <\/SPAN><\/span>. This puts it as a peremptory denial of the Jews ‘ request by Festus; whereas it is only his statement of a fact. Render, as Rev., that Paul was kept in charge. Festus ‘ reply is conciliatory, and is put on the ground of convenience.<\/P> <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n 1) “But Festus answered,” <\/strong>(ho men oun phestos aperkrithe) “Then Festus replied,” to them, the Jews from Jerusalem, the priests and leaders, the would-be lynch mob of murderous religious conspirators, who like their forefathers, had murdered true prophets of God, Act 7:52<\/span>.<\/p>\n 2) “That Paul should be kept at Caesarea,”<\/strong> (tereisthai ton Paulon eis Kaisareian) “That Paul was to be held under guard or custody in Caesarea;” Festus did not enter into collusion or the devious conspiracy that had long been made among the chief priests, elders, and officials of the Jews in Israel.<\/p>\n 3) “And that he himself would depart shortly thither.”<\/strong> (heauton de mellein en tachei ekporeuesthai) “And that he himself intended to go (there) soon,” to go back to Caesarea, the official judgement place of Caesar in Judea. In effect he refused to bring or authorize Paul to be released from prison in Caesarea and be returned and exposed to their blood thirsty area in Jerusalem, Act 25:16<\/span>.<\/p>\n 4<\/strong>. <\/strong> Festus answered<\/strong> Festus, in Act 25:16<\/span>, reports himself to have given a nobler answer than Luke here narrates. That report shows that he could conceive what the magnanimous course would be; but that report (Act 25:15<\/span>) also says that they asked summary judgment against Paul untried. Both answers may therefore have really been made. The Jews probably first asked as a favour (Act 25:15<\/span>) that Paul might be executed without farther trial, and to that Festus gave (Act 25:16<\/span>) his peremptory Roman negative. They then requested that he be sent to Jerusalem to be tried, which appeared not an unreasonable request. But Festus’ suspicions of foul play, being awakened by their first bloody request, he gave them (Act 25:4<\/span>) a gentle refusal.<\/p>\n Paul should be kept<\/strong> Rather, Paul is kept, <\/em> or in custody, <\/em> a gentler form of refusal than the translation implies: “Paul is secure in Cesarea; I must soon be there; there let his trial be.”<\/p>\n ‘Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart there shortly.’<\/p>\n We do not know whether Festus was a little suspicious about this request or not. He did, however, decline it. He pointed out that Paul was being held in Caesarea, and that he himself would be going there shortly. Even if he did not know about it, God did. Luke wants us to realise that God was still in control. Festus’ reason might well have been that as a new arrival in the province he did not want to be away from Caesarea longer than was necessary in these first few days of his procuratorship. While the cat was away the mice could play. Or it may simply be that he resented being pushed around and wanted to establish his authority.<\/p>\n Act 25:4<\/span><\/em><\/strong>. <\/strong>Festus answered<\/em><\/strong><\/strong> It certainly was extraordinary that Festus, who, as a new governor and a heathen, could not but incline to make himself popular, should deny this request, when it had the appearance of being so reasonable, and came from persons of such eminent rank in the Jewish nation. But when we consider, how much edification to the churches depended on the continuance of St. Paul’s life; and how evidently, under God, his life depended on this resolution of Festus; it must surely lead us to reflect by what invisible springs the Almighty God governs the world; with what silence, and yet at the same time with what wisdom and energy! <\/p>\n Act 25:4<\/span> . For the reasons of the decision<\/em> , see Act 25:16<\/span> .<\/p>\n By , the reply of refusal: “Paul remains at Caesarea,” is expressed indirectly indeed, but with imperative decidedness. Observe in this case the emphatically prefixed in contrast to ., Act 25:3<\/span> .<\/p>\n .] In Caesarea, whither he was brought in custody, Act 19:22<\/span> , Act 21:13<\/span> .<\/p>\n Notice the contrast between the Jewish baseness and the strict order of the Roman government.<\/p>\n 4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither<\/em> . <\/p>\n<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Ver. 4. That Paul should be kept, &c.<\/strong> ] How easily can God defeat the most cunning contrivances of his Church’s enemies! He sees and smiles, he looks and laughs. Commit we therefore ourselves to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator, 1Pe 4:19<\/span> . <\/p>\n Act 25:4<\/span> . : no antithesis expressed; but Rendall, Appendix on , Acts<\/em> , p. 162, holds that two phases of events are here contrasted: Festus refused to bring Paul away from Csarea, but he undertook to hear the charges of the Jews there. ., see critical note, perhaps here simply = , so Blass, and Simcox, cf.<\/em> Mar 13:9<\/span> , Act 19:22<\/span> . On the other hand cf.<\/em> Weiss on the frequent force of peculiar to Act 8:40<\/span> ; Act 9:21<\/span> (where he reads ), intimating that Paul had been brought to Csarea with the purpose that he should be kept there. The Jews had asked Festus . . ., but Festus intimates that the prisoner was in custody at Csarea, and that as he was himself going there, the prisoner’s accusers should go there also; in other words, he returns a refusal to their request, cf.<\/em> Act 25:16<\/span> . , Luk 18:8<\/span> , and three times in Act 12:7<\/span> ; Act 22:18<\/span> , not in the other Evangelists; Rom 16:20<\/span> , 1Ti 3:14<\/span> , Rev 1:1<\/span> ; Rev 22:6<\/span> . .: for the verb used absolutely as here cf.<\/em> Luk 3:7<\/span> .<\/p>\n answered. App-122. <\/p>\n kept. Greek. tereo. <\/p>\n at = in. Greek. eis. App-104. <\/p>\n shortly. Literally in (Greek. en) speed. <\/p>\n Act 25:4. , answered) The zeal of Festus in defending the Imperial rights proves advantageous to Paul. Luke skilfully portrays the mind of the procurator, a novice, and therefore haughty.- , speedily) See Act 25:6.- ) that he is about to go forth, to give sentence in the case.<\/p>\n Reciprocal: Jer 26:24 – that Act 8:40 – Caesarea Act 25:16 – It is not 2Ti 3:11 – but<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Act 25:4. Festus evidently knew nothing of the murderous intent of the Jews, but supposed they preferred having Paul tried in their own court; it was in keeping with court form to refuse their request under the circumstances.<\/p>\n Act 25:4. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Csarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. The original Greek here somewhat changes the character of the governors reply to the Jewish national party. In the English the words are somewhat curt and abrupt. In the Greek, they are perfectly courteous, and even conciliatory. But Festus answered that Paul was kept (not should be kept), that is to say, as he was in prison then, and that as he, Festus, was on the point of going down to Csarea himself, it was not worth while to bring the prisoner up to Jerusalem now.<\/p>\n Act 25:4-5. But Festus Knowing their design; answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea So Festuss care to preserve the imperial privileges was the means of preserving Pauls life! By what invisible springs does God govern the world! With what silence, and yet with what wisdom and energy! Nevertheless, Festus was willing to do them the justice of hearing what they had to say against Paul, if they would go down with him to Cesarea, and appear against him there. Let them, said he, which among you are able Who are best able to undertake the journey, and to manage the cause; go down with me, and accuse this man In my hearing: or, let those go and give in their evidence that are competent witnesses, and are able to prove any thing criminal upon him; if there be any wickedness in him For which he ought to be punished according to the Roman laws. So he does not pass sentence before he hears the cause, nor take it for granted that there was wickedness in him till it should be proved upon him, and he had been heard in his own defence.<\/p>\n See notes on verse 1<\/p>\n Festus did not agree to their request but promised to try Paul in Caesarea if his accusers would go down there.<\/p>\n But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly [thither.] 4. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept, &c.] This hardly gives the force of the original, which is better rendered in the Rev. Ver., “that Paul was kept in charge at Csarea.” The governor’s position … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 25:4”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27759","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27759","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27759"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27759\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27759"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27759"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27759"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"