Acts 25:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 25:13-27

We have here the preparation that was made for another hearing of Paul before King Agrippa, not in order to his giving judgment upon him, but in order to his giving advice concerning him, or rather only to gratify his curiosity. Christ had said, concerning his followers, that they should be brought before governors and kings. In the former part of this chapter Paul was brought before Festus the governor, here before Agrippa the king, for a testimony to both. Here is, I. The kind and friendly... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 25:13-21

25:13-21 When some days had elapsed, Agrippa, the king, and Bernice came to Caesarea to welcome Festus. As they were staying there for some time, Festus referred Paul's case to the king. "There is a man"," he said, "who was left behind by Felix, a prisoner. When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid information before me concerning him and asked for his condemnation. I replied to them that it is not the custom of the Romans to grant any man's life as a favour... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 25:16

To whom I answered ,.... As follows: it is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die; or to give any man to destruction ; to pass sentence of death upon him, without hearing his cause, and purely at the request of another, and merely to gratify him: before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face ; so as to speak to his face, or before him, what they have to charge him with: and have licence to answer for himself, concerning the crime laid against him ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 25:16

It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die - Χαριζεσθαι τινα ανθρωπον , To Make a Present of any man; gratuitously to give up the life of any man, through favor or caprice. Here is a reference to the subject discussed on Acts 25:11 . Before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, etc. - For this righteous procedure the Roman laws were celebrated over the civilized world. Appian, in his Hist. Roman., says: ου πατριον σφισιν ακριτους καταδικαζεσθαι ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 25:1-16

The enlightened, the unenlightened, and the great Overruler. This piece of sacred history suggests— I. THAT SOMETIMES THE BLACKEST DEEDS LIE AT THE DOOR OF THE ENLIGHTENED . Who more enlightened than these Jews, so far as outward privileges were concerned? They had the fullest opportunity of knowing the truth and of acting uprightly. They "had the mind" of God; revelation had shone on their path with full, strong light. Yet we find them ( Acts 25:2 , Acts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 25:13-27

"Audi alteram pattem." It is a noble principle here ascribed by Festus to Roman justice, never to condemn upon the accusation of any one without giving the accused the power to face his accusers and answer for himself. English law is so conspicuous for its fairness to prisoners that there is no need to insist upon this maxim in regard to courts of justice. But there is great need to urge that the same just principle should rule our private censures and judgments upon our neighbors. It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 25:13-27

Worldly judgment on religious matters. I. ITS SHORT - SIGHTEDNESS . It sees no further than the principles of civil right ( Acts 25:13-18 ). Herod Agrippa. II. had come to pay his greeting to the new procurator (see Josephus, 'Life,' § 11; and 'Bell. Jud.,' Acts 2:1 ). It was only after Agrippa had arrived some days, that Festus seized the opportunity of bringing the matter before him, probably hoping, from his acquaintance with Jewish affairs, that he would help him to a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 25:13-27

Paul in the presence of King Agrippa. I. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY for the Christian CHARACTER to be shown forth, as unabashed in the presence of worldly splendors, as simple-minded and modest, as untempted by that fear of man which bringeth a snare. II. As OCCASION eagerly seized by the apostle FOR TEACHING both the heathen and the Jew, that the gospel was not a mere idle question, or fanatical dream, or delusion, but a great reality, for which its preacher was ready to die if... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 25:16

That it is for it is, A.V.; custom for manner, A.V.; to give up for to deliver … to die, A.V. and T.R.; the accused for he which is accused, A.V.; have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter for have license to answer for himself concerning the crime, A.V. To give up (above, Acts 25:11 , note). Have had opportunity to make his defense ( τόπον ἀπολογίας λάβοι ); see Acts 22:1 , note. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 25:16

It is not the manner ... - He here states the reasons which he gave the Jews for not delivering Paul into their hands. In Acts 25:4-5, we have an account of the fact that he would not accede to the requests of the Jews; and he here states that the reason of his refusal was that it was contrary to the Roman law. Appian, in his Roman History, says, “It is not their custom to condemn men before they are heard.” Philo (DePraesi. Rom.) says the same thing. In Tacitus (History, ii.) it is said, “A... read more

Group of Brands