Acts 25

Acts 25:1

John Chrysostom: This man is succeeded in his office by another, and he leaves Paul a prisoner: and yet he ought not to have done this; he ought to have put an end to the business: but he leaves him, by way of gratifying them. They however were so urgent, that they again besought the judge. Yet against none of the Apostles had they set themselves thus pertinaciously; there, when they had attacked, anon they desisted. So providentially is he removed from Jerusalem, having to do with such wild beasts. And they nevertheless request that he might be brought again there to be tried. Here now God’s providence interposed, not permitting the governor to do this: for it was natural that he having just come to the government would wish to gratify them: but God suffered him not. — Homily on Acts 51

John Chrysostom: “Now when Festus was come into the province,” etc. At the very beginning, the priests came to him, who would not have hesitated to go even to Caesarea, unless he had been seen immediately coming up, since immediately on his arrival they come to him. And he spends ten days, in order, I suppose, to be open to those who wished to corrupt him with bribes. But Paul was in the prison. “They besought him,” it says, “that he would send for him”: why did they desire it as a favor, if he was deserving of death? But thus their plotting became evident even to him, so that discoursing of it (to Agrippa), he says, “desiring to have judgment against him.” They wanted to induce him to pass sentence now immediately, being afraid of Paul’s tongue. — Homily on Acts 51

Acts 25:4

Bede: But Festus replied that Paul was being kept in Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart soon. “Soon,” he says, naturally means “quickly,” although sometimes it is said to be “sooner” when something is done more slowly and with mature counsel. For in Greek it is written ἐν τάχει, that is, “in haste.” — Retractions on Acts

John Chrysostom: What are ye afraid of? What are ye in such a hurry? In fact, that expression, “that he should be kept” shows this. Does he want to escape? “Let them therefore,” he says, “which among you are able, accuse him.” Again accusers, again at Caesarea, again Paul is brought forth. And having come, immediately “he sat on the judgment-seat” with all his haste: they so drove, so hurried him. — Homily on Acts 51

Acts 25:7

John Chrysostom: But after they came down, they forthwith made their accusations shamelessly and with more vehemence: and not having been able to convict him on grounds relating to the Law, they again according to their custom stirred the question about Caesar, being just what they did in Christ’s case. For that they had recourse to this is manifest by the fact, that Paul defends himself on the score of offences against Caesar. — Homily on Acts 51

John Chrysostom: While as yet he had not got acquainted with the Jews, nor experienced the honor paid to him by them, he answered rightly: but now that he had been in Jerusalem ten days, he too wants to pleasure them by sacrificing Paul to them: then, also to receive Paul, “Wilt thou,” says he, “be judged there of these things by me?” I am not giving thee up to them - but this was the fact - and he leaves the point to his own choice, that by this mark of respect he might get him to yield: since his was the sentence, and it would have been too barefaced, when he had been convicted of nothing here, to take him back thither. — Homily on Acts 51

Acts 25:11

Bede: No one can grant me to them. I appeal to Caesar. The reason he appeals to Caesar and hastens to go to Rome is so that he may persist longer in preaching, and when many believe from this, and with everyone he will be crowned as he goes to Christ. — Commentary on Acts

Acts 25:12

John Chrysostom: “Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council” - do you observe how he seeks to gratify them? for this is favor - “having conferred,” it says, “with the council, he said, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shall thou go.” See how his trial is again lengthened out, and how the plot against him becomes an occasion for the preaching: so that with ease and in safe custody he should be taken away to Rome, with none to plot evil against him: for it was not the same thing his simply coming there, and his coming on such a cause. For, in fact this was what made the Jews come together there. Then again, some time passes while he tarries at Jerusalem, that you may learn, that, though some time passed, the evil design against him prevails nothing, God not permitting it. — Homily on Acts 51

John Chrysostom: But this king Agrippa, who was also a Herod, was a different Agrippa, after him of James’ time, so that this is the fourth Herod. See how his enemies cooperate with him against their will. To make the audience large, Agrippa falls into a desire of hearing: and he does not simply hear, but with much parade. — Homily on Acts 51

Acts 25:13

Bede: King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea. This Agrippa who came to Caesarea with his sister is (as I said) the son of Herod Agrippa, whom we read above was killed by the angel, who held the kingdom of Judea until the destruction of Jerusalem, always friendly to the Romans, and safest from all that Jewish sedition. — Commentary on Acts

Cassiodorus: “And after some days, king Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea.” After some days, king Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to salute Festus; and as they stayed with him for some time, Festus told king Agrippa, in order, the events that had taken place involving a certain Jew named Paul, and declared that the man, oppressed by the dishonesty of the Jews, had appealed to Caesar. Then, as Agrippa wished to see him, Festus promised he would hear him on the next day without fail. — Complexiones on the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 25:14

John Chrysostom: And see what a vindication! So writes Festus, and the ruthlessness of the Jews is openly made a show of: for when it is the governor that says these things, he is a witness above all suspicion: so that the Jews are condemned by him also. For, when all had pronounced sentence against them, then, and not sooner, God brings upon them the punishment. But observe: Lysias gave it against them, Felix against them, Festus against them - although he wished to gratify them - Agrippa against them. What further? The Pharisees - even they gave it against themselves. No evil, says Festus, “of such things as I supposed: no accusation did they bring against him.” And yet they did bring it: true, but they did not prove it: for their evil design and daring plot against him gave cause to surmise this, but the examination brought out nothing of the kind. — Homily on Acts 51

Acts 25:18

John Chrysostom: “And of one Jesus,” he says, “which was dead.” He says naturally enough, “of one” Jesus, as being a man in office, and not caring for these things. — Homily on Acts 51

Acts 25:20

John Chrysostom: “And not knowing, for my part, what to make of the enquiry concerning these things” - of course, it went beyond a judge’s hearing, the examining into these matters. If thou art at a loss, why dost thou drag him to Jerusalem? But the other would not deign this: no, “To Caesar” says he; as in fact it was touching Caesar that they accused him. Do you hear the appeal? hear the plotting of the Jews? hear their factious spirit? All these things provoked him to a desire of hearing him: and he gives them the gratification and Paul becomes more renowned. For such as I said, are the ill designs of enemies. Had not these things been so, none of these rulers would have deigned to hear him, none would have heard with such quietness and silence. And he seems indeed to be teaching, he seems to be making a defence; but he rather makes a public harangue with much orderliness. — Homily on Acts 51

Acts 25:23

Bede: When Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, etc. For “pomp,” in Greek it is written φαντασία, by which term is designated a great display and royal pomp, with which he, being surrounded on all sides, was encircled. — Retractions on Acts

John Chrysostom: See what an audience is gathered together for Paul. Having collected all his guards, the governor is come, and the king, and the tribunes, “with the principal men,” it says, “of the city.” Then Paul being brought forth, see how he is proclaimed as conqueror. — Homily on Acts 52

John Chrysostom: The Jews desisted ever since Paul exercised his right of appeal. Then also for him the theatre becomes a splendid one: “with great pomp” they were present. — Homily on Acts 52

Acts 25:24

John Chrysostom: Festus himself acquits him from the charges, for what says Festus? “And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 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. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.” Mark how he accuses them, while he acquits him. O what an abundance of justifications! After all these repeated examinations, the governor finds not how he may condemn him. They said he was worthy of death. On this account he said also: “When I found,” says he “that he had committed nothing worthy of death.-Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord.” This too is a proof of Paul’s spotlessness, that the judge found nothing to say concerning him. “Therefore I have brought him forth,” he says, “before you. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crime laid against him.” Such were the great straits into which the Jews brought themselves and their rulers! — Homily on Acts 52

John Chrysostom: “The whole multitude of the Jews-” not some of them only, and others not so-“both at Jerusalem, and also here,” they said “that he ought not to live any longer.” “And I having found,” etc. It shows that he did right in appealing to Caesar. For if though they had no great matter to allege against him, yet those at Jerusalem were mad against him, with good reason may he go to Caesar. “That after examination had by you,” he says, “I may get somewhat to write.” Observe how the matter is repeatedly put to the test. The Jews therefore may thank themselves for this vindication of Paul, which would come to the ears of those also who were at Rome. See how they become the unwilling heralds both of their own wickedness and of Paul’s virtue, even to the emperor himself: so that Paul was carried away to Rome with more renown than if he had gone thither without bonds: for not as an impostor and a deceiver, after so many judges had acquitted him, was he now carried thither. Quit therefore of all charges, among those with whom he was bred and born, and not only so, but thus free from all suspicion, he makes his appearance at Rome. — Homily on Acts 52