Acts 25:3
New International Version
They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

New Living Translation
They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way).

English Standard Version
asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

Berean Standard Bible
to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

Berean Literal Bible
asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, forming an ambush to kill him on the way.

King James Bible
And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

New King James Version
asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him.

New American Standard Bible
requesting a concession against Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, setting an ambush to kill him on the way).

NASB 1995
requesting a concession against Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, setting an ambush to kill him on the way).

NASB 1977
requesting a concession against Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, setting an ambush to kill him on the way).

Legacy Standard Bible
requesting a favor against Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (while they set an ambush to kill him on the way).

Amplified Bible
asking as a concession against Paul, that he would have him brought to Jerusalem; (meanwhile planning an ambush to kill him on the way).

Christian Standard Bible
asking for a favor against Paul, that Festus summon him to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, preparing an ambush along the road to kill him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
asking him to do them a favor against Paul, that he might summon him to Jerusalem. They were preparing an ambush along the road to kill him.

American Standard Version
asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.

Contemporary English Version
if he would be willing to bring Paul to Jerusalem. They begged him to do this because they were planning to attack and kill Paul on the way.

English Revised Version
asking favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying wait to kill him on the way.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Festus to do them the favor of having Paul brought to Jerusalem. The Jews had a plan to ambush and kill Paul as he traveled to Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
to do them the favor of having Paul come to Jerusalem, for they had made a plot to kill him on the way.

International Standard Version
and asking Festus to have Paul brought to Jerusalem as a favor. They were laying an ambush to kill him on the road.

Majority Standard Bible
to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

NET Bible
Requesting him to do them a favor against Paul, they urged Festus to summon him to Jerusalem, planning an ambush to kill him along the way.

New Heart English Bible
asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem; plotting to kill him on the way.

Webster's Bible Translation
And desired favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

Weymouth New Testament
asking it as a favour, to Paul's prejudice--to have him brought to Jerusalem. They were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

World English Bible
asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him on the way.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
asking favor against him, that he may send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambush to put him to death in the way.

Berean Literal Bible
asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, forming an ambush to kill him on the way.

Young's Literal Translation
asking favour against him, that he may send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambush to put him to death in the way.

Smith's Literal Translation
Asking favor against him, that he might send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambuscade to kill him in the way.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Requesting favour against him, that he would command him to be brought to Jerusalem, laying wait to kill him in the way.

Catholic Public Domain Version
asking for favor against him, so that he would order him to be led to Jerusalem, where they were maintaining an ambush in order to kill him along the way.

New American Bible
as a favor to have him sent to Jerusalem, for they were plotting to kill him along the way.

New Revised Standard Version
and requested, as a favor to them against Paul, to have him transferred to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, planning an ambush to kill him along the way.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They besought him as a favor to send for him and bring him to Jerusalem, for they were plotting to kill him on the way.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
When they asked him this favor: to send to bring him to Jerusalem, as they were making an ambush by the road to kill him.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and, asking a favor against him, besought him that he would send and have him brought to Jerusalem, laying a plot to kill him on the road.

Godbey New Testament
asking favor against him, in order that he might send him to Jerusalem, making a plot to kill him on the road.

Haweis New Testament
begging it as a favour from him, that he would send him back to Jerusalem, lying in wait for him to kill him on the road.

Mace New Testament
"desiring the favour he might be sent for to Jerusalem." they having prepar'd measures to assassinate him upon the road.

Weymouth New Testament
asking it as a favour, to Paul's prejudice--to have him brought to Jerusalem. They were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

Worrell New Testament
asking it as a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambush, to kill him on the way.

Worsley New Testament
begging the favor of him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; for they were preparing an ambush to kill him by the way.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Trial Before Festus
2where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus 3to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. 4But Festus replied, “Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.…

Cross References
Acts 9:23-24
After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, / but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Acts 23:21
Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”

Acts 26:9-11
So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. / And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

Acts 22:4-5
I persecuted this Way even to the death, detaining both men and women and throwing them into prison, / as the high priest and the whole Council can testify about me. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and I was on my way to apprehend these people and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.

Acts 24:1-9
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. / When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. / In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. ...

Acts 21:31
While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil.

Acts 13:50
The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.

Acts 14:5-6
But when the Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, set out to mistreat and stone them, / they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,

Acts 20:3
where he stayed three months. And when the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.

Acts 6:11-14
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. ...

Acts 7:57-58
At this they covered their ears, cried out in a loud voice, and rushed together at him. / They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Acts 8:1-3
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. / God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. / But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

Acts 18:12-13
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. / “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.

Acts 19:23-24
About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. / It began with a silversmith named Demetrius who made silver shrines of Artemis, bringing much business to the craftsmen.


Treasury of Scripture

And desired favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

desired.

Acts 9:2
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

1 Samuel 23:19-21
Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? …

Jeremiah 38:4
Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

laying.

Acts 23:12-15
And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul…

Acts 26:9-11
I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth…

Psalm 37:32,33
The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him…

Jump to Previous
Ambush Concession Death Design Desired Effect Favor Favour Festus Grace Jerusalem Kill Laying Paul Paul's Planning Plot Plotting Prejudice Preparing Requested Requesting Setting Summon Time Transferred Urgently Wait Waiting Way
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Ambush Concession Death Design Desired Effect Favor Favour Festus Grace Jerusalem Kill Laying Paul Paul's Planning Plot Plotting Prejudice Preparing Requested Requesting Setting Summon Time Transferred Urgently Wait Waiting Way
Acts 25
1. The Jews accuse Paul before Festus.
8. He answers for himself,
11. and appeals unto Caesar.
14. Afterwards Festus opens his matter to king Agrippa;
23. and he is brought forth.
25. Festus clears him of having done anything worthy of death.














to grant them a concession
The phrase "to grant them a concession" indicates a request for a favor or special permission. In the Greek, the word for "concession" (χάριν, charin) can also mean grace or favor. This highlights the manipulative nature of the request, as the Jewish leaders were seeking to exploit the Roman governor's authority for their own ends. Historically, this reflects the political maneuvering common in Roman provinces, where local leaders often sought to influence Roman officials to achieve their objectives.

against Paul
The phrase "against Paul" underscores the adversarial stance of the Jewish leaders. Paul, a former Pharisee and now a prominent Christian apostle, was seen as a significant threat to the Jewish religious establishment. This opposition is a recurring theme in Acts, illustrating the tension between the early Christian movement and traditional Jewish authorities. Theologically, it reflects the broader spiritual conflict between the nascent Church and those resistant to the Gospel.

by summoning him to Jerusalem
"By summoning him to Jerusalem" reveals the strategic plan of the Jewish leaders. Jerusalem, the center of Jewish religious life, was where they held significant influence and could more easily orchestrate their plot. The historical context here is crucial; Jerusalem was not only a religious hub but also a place of political intrigue, where various factions vied for power and influence under Roman oversight.

because they were preparing an ambush
The phrase "because they were preparing an ambush" exposes the malicious intent behind the request. The Greek word for "ambush" (ἐνέδραν, enedran) suggests a premeditated and deceitful plan. This reflects the lengths to which Paul's opponents were willing to go to silence him. It also serves as a reminder of the physical dangers faced by early Christians, who often encountered hostility and violence.

to kill him along the way
"To kill him along the way" starkly reveals the ultimate goal of the Jewish leaders' plot. The phrase indicates a planned assassination, highlighting the severity of the threat against Paul. This echoes earlier attempts on Paul's life and underscores the perilous nature of his mission. From a scriptural perspective, it demonstrates the fulfillment of Jesus' words about the persecution His followers would face (John 15:20). It also serves as a testament to Paul's unwavering commitment to his calling, despite the constant danger.

Verse 3. - Asking for and desired, A.V.; to kill him on the way for in the way to kill him, A.V. Asking favor, etc. The Jews evidently thought to take advantage of the inexperience of Festus, and of his natural desire to please them at his first start, to accomplish their murderous intentions against Paul.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
to grant them
αἰτούμενοι (aitoumenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 154: To ask, request, petition, demand. Of uncertain derivation; to ask.

a concession
χάριν (charin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.

against
κατ’ (kat’)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

[Paul]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

by
ὅπως (hopōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3704: From hos and pos; what(-ever) how, i.e. In the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual).

summoning
μεταπέμψηται (metapempsētai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3343: To send for, summon. From meta and pempo; to send from elsewhere, i.e. to summon or invite.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Jerusalem,
Ἰερουσαλήμ (Ierousalēm)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2419: Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine.

[ because ] they were preparing
ποιοῦντες (poiountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

an ambush
ἐνέδραν (enedran)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1747: An ambush, plot, treachery, fraud. Feminine from en and the base of hedraios; an ambuscade, i.e. murderous purpose.

to kill
ἀνελεῖν (anelein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 337: From ana and haireomai; to take up, i.e. Adopt; by implication, to take away, i.e. Abolish, murder.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

along
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

way.
ὁδόν (hodon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3598: A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means.


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NT Apostles: Acts 25:3 Asking a favor against him that he (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 25:2
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