Acts 25

1 Festus cometh in the place of Felix, of whom the High Priest and Councill of the Jews, that he would cause Paul to come o Jerusalem, thinking by the way to kill him. 4 But Festus will have them appear before him at Cesarea, 7 which they do and accuse him grievously but without proof. 9 Paul observing that Festus was inclined to send him to Jerusalem appealeth unto Cesar. 13. King Agrippa and Bernice come to Cesarea, to whom Festus relates Pauls cause. 22 Agrippa desires that he may hear him, which is done the next day, 24 and Festus relates further further what he had done in Pauls business, and how he had found no fault in him.

1. Festus therefore being come into the Province [So the Romans called that Country, which they had won by arms and brought under their command, and caused to be governed by certain Governours sent forth in the name of the Roman Empire; of which kind Judea also was. See also chapter 23.ver. 24.] after three daies went from Cesarea [which City at that time was the seat of the Roman Governours, by reason of its strength and conveniency. See Acts 23:23.] up to Jerusalem: [which was the chief City of the whole Province, and where the spirituall and temporall government of the Jews was, yet under the oversight of the Governour.]

2. And the High Priest and the principall [Gr.the first] of the Jews, [that is, of the Councill of the Jews Acts 24:1.] appeared before him against Paul and besought him:

3. Desiring favour against him, [Namely, Paul] that he would cause him to come to Jerusalem, (and) laying an ambush to destroy him by the way.

4. But Festus answered, that Paul was kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would shortly travell thither. [Namely to Cesarea, as he also did ver.6.]

5. They therefore said he, amongst you that are able, let them go down also, [Namely, to Cesarea: so he speaks because Jerusalem lay higher in the land and on hills/ See also ver. 7.] and if there be anything unsitting in this man, let them accuse him.

6. And when he had passed over no more then ten daies among them, [Oth.more then ten days] he came down to Cesarea, and on the morrow being set on the judgement seat, he commanded that Paul should be brought (forth.)

7. And when he was come thither, the Jews which were come down from Jerusalem stood round (him) bringing forth many and grievous accusations against Paul, [What these accusations were, appears by the defence of Paul in the following verse] which they could not prove.

8. While he defending, said, I have neither offended anything against the Law of the Jews, nor against the Temple, nor against Cesar.

9. But Festus willing to shew favour to the Jews [As also Felix did before, Acts 24:27.] answered Paul and said, wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged nefore me, [namely, by the Councill of the Jews in my presence, or under my conduct] about these things?

10. And Paul said I stand before Cesars judgement-seat, [Namely, whose Governour thou art] where I must be judged: [namely, as a Citizen of Rome] to the Jews I have done no wrong: as thou also knowest very well. [namely, aswell by the report which Felix hath made to thee concerning me, as by this my defence which thou hast now heard.]

11. For if I doe wrong, and have done any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be nothing of that whereof these accuse me, no man can out of favour deliver me over to them. I call upon Cesar. [That is, I appeal unto Cesar, namely, as a Citizen of Rome, to whom this right of appeal, or calling upon Cesar in such a condition belongs, as appears ver.12.and Acts 26:32.]

12. Then answered Festus, when he had spoken with the Councill [Namely, not of the Jews, but of whom he as a Governour had called unto him] Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? Thou shalt go unto Cesar.

13. And when some days were passed over, came King Agrippa [This was the son of that Herod, who had caused James to be put to death. Acts 12:1. 2.] and Bernice [a sister of Agrippa (as also, who being a widow dwelt with this Agrippa her brother, not without suspicion of incest, Joseph.antiq.lib.20.cap. 5.] to Cesarea, to salute Festus. [or, to welcome him, and wish him happiness upon his coming into this new Province and administration.]

14. And when they had spent many days there, Festus related Pauls matters to the King, saying, (here) is a certain man left in prison by Felix:

15. For whose sake when I was at Jerusalem the Chief Priests and the Elders of the Jews appeared, desiring sentence against him. [Namely, of death, without other form of Law, as appears from the verse following.]

16. To whom I answered, that the Romans have not the custome, out of favour [Namely, to the accusers, as they had requested ver.3.] to deliver over any man to death, [Gr.to destruction] before the accused have the accusers present, [Gr.before his face] and hath obtained palce of making his defence touching the accusation.

17. When they therefore were come hither together, I taking [Gr.making] no delay, the (day) following sate on the judgement-seat, and commanded that the man should be brought (forth.)

18. About whom the accusers standing (here) brought forth no matter, [Or accusation] whereof I had suspicion.

19. But had against him certain enquiries [Or, differences, questions] of their Religion, [or, superstition, So this Heathen calls the Jewish Religion out of contempt, and that in presence of Agrippa and his Sister, who were Jews, but used to bear all things, that they might not displease the Roman Governours] and of one Jesus who was dead, whom Paul said to be alive.

20. And while I was in doubt about the examining of this business, [This he saith contrary to the truth, to make his matter faire: for he had so propounded this to Paul to shew favour the Jews, ver.9.] I said, if he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these things.

21. And when Paul appealed that he might be kept for the cognisance of Cesar, [Gr. Sebastou, for which the Latines use of word Augugstus, signifieth properly one to whom the chiefest honour belongs: and the word Sebas from whence this cometh, is often taken for divine honour, which teh Gentiles also gave to their Emperors, or else for that to which divine honour is given. See Acts 17.ver. 23.and chapter 27. 1.] I commanded that he should be kept until the time that I should send him to Cesar.

22. And Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also my self (indeed) hear that man. And he said to morrow thou shalt hear him.

23. The next day therefore when Agrippa was come and Bernice with great pomp, [Gr.with nuch phantasie, i.e. lustre or shew, not only of costly garments, but also of great attendance ot train which we use to call state or pomp] and when they were gone into the Judgement-house, [Gr. Acroaterion, which properly signifies a hall or place where audience is given, or Law-matters are heard and pleaded] with the Gentiles over thousands, and the men which were principall of the City, Paul, by Festus his command was brought (forth.)

24. And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all ye men that are (here) present with us, ye see this (man) concerning whom the whole multitude of the Jews have spoken to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.

25. But I having found that he had done nothing worthy of death, and seeing he himself also hath appealed unto Cesar, have decreed to send him.

26. Of whom I have nothing certain to write to (the) Lord [Namely, the Emperour, which title of Lord the first Emperors would not receive, because it imports a dominion over the subjects as over slayes: But the Emperor Nero, under whom this came to pass, suffered the title to be given him, as also many other Emperors after him] therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee King Agrippa, that after examination had I may have somewhat to write.

27. For it seemeth to me against reason, to send a prisoner, (and) not also to give to understand the accusations which are against him.