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Matthew Henry

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 25:18

Against whom when the accusers stood up ,.... As they were obliged to do, whilst they were exhibiting their charges, bearing their testimonies, and producing their proofs; Acts 25:7 . They brought none accusation of such things as I supposed : for by his being left in bonds, and by the information of the chief priests and elders, and their violence against him, he imagined he must be chargeable with some notorious capital crime. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 25:18

They brought none accusation of such things as I supposed - It was natural for Festus, at the first view of things, to suppose that Paul must be guilty of some very atrocious crime. When he found that he had been twice snatched from the hands of the Jews; that he had been brought to Caesarea, as a prisoner, two years before; that he had been tried once before the Sanhedrin, and once before the governor of the province; that he had now lain two years in bonds; and that the high priest and all... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 25:18

Verse 18− 18.They laid no such crime to his charge. I marvel why Festus doth say, that there was no such crime objected to Paul as he supposed, seeing he was accused of sedition; but we may again conjecture by this, yea, plainly know, that their accusations were so vain, that they ought not to have been brought before the judgment-seat; as if a man did utter a slanderous speech unadvisedly. For which cause he saith, that the state of the cause did consist in questions of the law. Therefore, we... 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 25:17-21

Mismeasurement of the great and small. There is something ludicrous as well as instructive in the scene which Festus here describes to Agrippa. Nothing could well be more incongruous than a Roman judge presiding at a tribunal before which "niceties of the Jewish religion" were brought up. He would feel utterly unsuited for the work, and he gladly enough availed himself of the presence of Agrippa to gain some notion of the subject which had so completely perplexed him. It appeared to him... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 25:18

Concerning for against, A.V.; no charge for none accusation, A.V.; evil things for things, A.V. and T.R. They brought no charge . The expression, common in classical writers, ἐπιφέρειν αἰτίαν , answers to the Latin legal phrase, crimen inferre (Cicero, 'Contr. Verrem.,' 5.41; 'Ad Herenn.,' 4.35). Such evil things as I supposed ; viz. seditions, insurrections, murders, and such like, which were so rife at this time. read more

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