Acts 25:14

And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king.—The matter seems to have come in, as it were, in the course of conversation. Festus probably thought that Agrippa, who knew all about the Jews and their religion, could throw some light on the peculiar position of his prisoner, who, though a Jew, and professing the utmost reverence for the Law and the Temple, was yet accused and denounced by his compatriots.

Benson Commentary

Acts 25:14-16. When they had been there many days — Among other subjects of discourse which occurred, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king — For, as the crime of which he was accused related wholly to the Jewish religion, in which the king was very knowing, Festus wished to have his opinion upon it; and for that purpose began telling him that Felix had left Paul in bonds, and that the chief priests and elders at Jerusalem had applied to him, desiring judgment against him — As upon a previous conviction falsely pretended. To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans — When a crime is charged upon a person; to deliver any man to be put to death before he who is accused have the accusers — Openly produced to give their evidence against him; face to face, and he have also license to answer for himself — To make his defence; concerning the crime laid against him — How excellent a rule, to condemn no one unheard! A rule which, as it is common to all nations, (courts of inquisition only excepted,) so it ought to direct our proceedings in all affairs, not only in public but private life.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

25:13-27 Agrippa had the government of Galilee. How many unjust and hasty judgments the Roman maxim, ver. 16, condemn! This heathen, guided only by the light of nature, followed law and custom exactly, yet how many Christians will not follow the rules of truth, justice, and charity, in judging their brethren! The questions about God's worship, the way of salvation, and the truths of the gospel, may appear doubtful and without interest, to worldly men and mere politicians. See how slightly this Roman speaks of Christ, and of the great controversy between the Jews and the Christians. But the day is at hand when Festus and the whole world will see, that all the concerns of the Roman empire were but trifles and of no consequence, compared with this question of Christ's resurrection. Those who have had means of instruction, and have despised them, will be awfully convinced of their sin and folly. Here was a noble assembly brought together to hear the truths of the gospel, though they only meant to gratify their curiosity by attending to the defence of a prisoner. Many, even now, attend at the places of hearing the word of God with great pomp, and too often with no better motive than curiosity. And though ministers do not now stand as prisoners to make a defence for their lives, yet numbers affect to sit in judgment upon them, desirous to make them offenders for a word, rather than to learn from them the truth and will of God, for the salvation of their souls But the pomp of this appearance was outshone by the real glory of the poor prisoner at the bar. What was the honour of their fine appearance, compared with that of Paul's wisdom, and grace, and holiness; his courage and constancy in suffering for Christ! It is no small mercy to have God clear up our righteousness as the light, and our just dealing as the noon-day; to have nothing certain laid to our charge. And God makes even the enemies of his people to do them right.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Festus declared Paul's cause - He did this, probably, because Agrippa, being a Jew, would be supposed to he interested in the case. It was natural that this trial should be a topic of conversation, and perhaps Festus might be disposed to ask what was proper to be done in such cases.

Left in bonds - Greek: "a prisoner" - δέσμιος desmios. He was left in custody, probably in the keeping of a soldier, Acts 24:23, Acts 24:27.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

14, 15. when there many—"several"

days, Festus declared Paul's cause—taking advantage of the presence of one who might be presumed to know such matters better than himself; though the lapse of "several days" ere the subject was touched on shows that it gave Festus little trouble.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king; either amongst common discourse, or matter of novelty, and for the strangeness of it, or for his advice about it. Howsoever, by this means the wickedness of the Jews was published, and the safety of St. Paul provided for, and God’s design of publishing the gospel at Rome itself furthered.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when they had been there many days,.... Indulging themselves in pleasure, and spending their time in conversing on various subjects; and in order to carry on the conversation, and pass away time,

Festus declared Paul's case unto the king; in the following manner:

saying, there is a certain man left in bonds by Felix; the former governor in Caesarea, meaning Paul.

Geneva Study Bible

And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Meyer's NT Commentary

Acts 25:14. The following conversation between Festus and Agrippa most naturally appears not as a communication by an ear-witness (Riehm, Kuinoel), but as drawn up by Luke himself as a free composition; for he had the materials for the purpose in his accurate information, received from Paul, as to the occurrence set forth in Acts 25:7 ff.

ἀνέθετο] he set forth, enarravit, Galatians 2:2. His design in this was (see Acts 25:26 f.) to learn the opinion of the king; for Agrippa, as an Idumean, as belonging himself to Judaism (comp. Acts 26:27; also Schoettg. Hor. p. 481), and especially as chief overseer of the temple and of the election of high priest (Joseph. Antt. xx. 1. 3), was accurately acquainted with the state of Jewish affairs.

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 25:14. ἀνέθετο: only in Luke and Paul, cf. Galatians 2:2. “Laid Paul’s case before the king,” R.V., cf. 2Ma 3:9, and instances in Wetstein, Galatians 2:2. In the middle voice the idea is that of relating with a view to consulting, so here (cf. Acts 25:20; Acts 25:26, Lightfoot on Galatians 2:2); it was natural for Festus thus to consult Agrippa, see above on Acts 25:13.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

14. And when they had been there many days] Rev. Ver. “And as they tarried there many days;” a rendering which may be taken to mean that the length of their stay was a reason why Festus set Paul’s cause before the king. This is not the sense of the Greek, so the A. V. appears the better rendering.

Bengel's Gnomen

Acts 25:14. Πλείους, more) Festus handles the matter concerning Paul negligently.—ἀνὴρ, a man) The whole language of Festus savours of the new governor.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - As they tarried for when they had been, A.V.: laid for declared, A.V.; case for cause, A.V.; before for unto, A.V.; a prisoner for in bonds, A.V. Many days (πλείους ἡμέρας). Not necessarily many, but as Acts 24:17 (margin), "some," or "several." The number indicated by the comparative degree, πλείων, depends upon what it is compared with. Here it means more days than was necessary for fulfilling the purpose of their visit, which was to salute Festus. They stayed on some days longer. Laid Paul's case before the king; ἀνέθετο τὰ κατὰ τὸν Παῦλον. The word only occurs in the New Testament here and in Galatians 2:2, "I laid before them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles." In 2 Macc. 3:9, Ἀνέθετο περὶ τοῦ γεγονότος ἐμφανισμοῦ, "Heliodorus laid before the high priest Onias the information that had been given about the treasure in the temple" (see other passages quoted by Kuinoel). The word might be rendered simply "told," the thing told being in the accusative, and the person to whom it is told in the dative. It was very natural that Festus should take the opportunity of consulting Agrippa, a Jew, and expert in all questions of Jewish Law, about Paul's cause. Acts 25:14