Acts 25:27

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 25:27

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 25:27

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

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 25:22-27

Power, degeneracy, and consecration. That was a striking scene which is suggested to our imagination by these verses. The sacred narrative does not, indeed, waste words on a description of it, but it supplies enough to place the picture before our eyes (see Farrar's 'Life of St. Paul,' in loc. ) . It invites our attention to three subjects. We have— I. THE REPRESENTATIVE OF WORLDLY POWER . "At Festus's commandment" ( Acts 25:23 ). The Roman procurator may not have been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 25:27

In sending … not for to send … and not, A.V. ; charges for crimes laid, A.V. Unreasonable ; ἄλογον , only in 2 Peter 2:12 and Jude 1:10 , "without reason," applied to the brute creation; but found in the LXX . of Exod, 6:12 and Wis. 11:15; and also frequent in medical writers. The opposite phrase, κατὰ λόγον , "reasonably," in Acts 18:14 , is also of very frequent use in medical writers. ἄλογος ἀλόγως ἀλογία are also not uncommon in Polybius, and in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 25:27

For it seemeth to me unreasonable - Festus felt that he was placed in an embarrassing situation. He was about to send a prisoner to Rome who had been tried by himself, and who had appealed from his jurisdiction, and yet he was ignorant of the charges against him, and of the nature of his offences, if any had been committed. When prisoners were thus sent to Rome to be tried before the emperor, it would be proper that the charges should be all specified, and the evidence stated by which they were... read more

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