Acts 25:23-27

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 25:22-27

25:22-27 Agrippa said to Festus, "I, too, would like to hear the man." "Tomorrow," he said, "you will hear him." So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with much pomp; and when they had come into the audience-chamber with the captains and the leading men of the city Paul was brought in. So Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are here present with us, you see this man, concerning whom the whole community of the Jews kept petitioning me both in Jerusalem and here, crying out that he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 25:23

And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come ,.... Into the hall, or court of judicature: and Bernice ; his sister, along with him: with great pomp : in rich dress, with the "regalia", or ensigns of royalty carried before them, and attended with a large train and retinue of servants: and was entered into the place of hearing ; the causes that were tried in court, that particular part of the hall, which was assigned for that purpose; for as there were the proper places for the judge... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 25:24

And Festus said, King Agrippa ,.... He addressed himself to him in the first place, as being the principal person, and of great dignity, as well as knowledge: and all men which are here present with us ; the chief captains, and principal inhabitants of the city: ye see this man the prisoner at the bar, meaning Paul: about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me : applied unto him, interceded with him, and very importunately pressed and desired him to give judgment... read more

John Gill

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

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death ,.... Which was a public testimony of the apostle's innocence, to the great mortification of his enemies, some of whom might be present; a like testimony was given of him by Lysias, Acts 23:29 . And that he himself hath appealed unto Augustus ; the Emperor Nero; see Acts 25:21 . I have determined to send him ; having had the opinion of his council upon it. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 25:26

Of whom I have no certain thing ,.... No certain crime, charge, or accusation; nothing of any moment or consequence, no particular thing, nothing but a heap of confused notions, of I know not who or what: to write unto my lord ; meaning the Roman emperor, under whom he served as governor of Judea: wherefore I have brought him before you ; the whole company then present: and especially before thee, O King Agrippa ; as being not only a man of eminence, dignity, and authority, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 25:27

For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner ,.... A man bound as if he was a malefactor, and guilty of some heinous crimes, to Rome, to be tried before Caesar: and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him ; for which he is a prisoner, and for which he is sent to the emperor: it seemed to Festus an absurd thing, and what might be justly looked upon by his master, a foolish, silly, and stupid piece of conduct, and void of common sense and reason, mere madness and folly;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 25:23

With great pomp - Μετα πολλης φαντασιας ; With much phantasy, great splendor, great parade, superb attendance or splendid retinue: in this sense the Greek word is used by the best writers. Wetstein has very justly remarked, that these children of Herod the Great made this pompous appearance in that very city where, a few years before, their father, for his Pride, was smitten of God, and eaten up by worms! How seldom do the living lay any of God's judgments to heart! The place of hearing... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 25:26

I have no certain thing to write - Nothing alleged against him has been substantiated. Unto my Lord - The title Κυριος , Dominus , Lord, both Augustus and Tiberius had absolutely refused; and forbade, even by public edicts, the application of it to themselves. Tiberius himself was accustomed to say that he was lord only of his slaves, emperor or general of the troops, and prince of the senate. See Suetonius, in his life of this prince. The succeeding emperors were not so modest; they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 25:27

For it seemeth to me unreasonable, etc. - Every reader must feel the awkward situation in which Festus stood. He was about to send a prisoner to Rome, to appear before Nero, though he had not one charge to support against him; and yet he must be sent, for he had appealed to Caesar. He hoped therefore that Agrippa, who was of the Jewish religion, would be able to discern more particularly the merits of this case; and might, after hearing Paul, direct him how to draw up those letters, which,... read more

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