Acts 25:25

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(25) When I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death.—The words should be noted as an emphatic declaration on the part of Festus that the accusers had failed to sustain their indictment. But a procurator transmitting a case to the supreme court of the emperor was bound to send a formal report as to the matter out of which the appeal arose, and it was on this point that the “perplexed” ruler desired the advice and co-operation of Agrippa.

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

Have dealt with me - Have appeared before me, desiring me to try him. They have urged me to condemn him.

Crying ... - Compare Acts 22:22. They had sought that he should be put to death.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

23. when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp—in the same city in which their father, on account of his pride, had perished, eaten up by worms [Wetst].

with the chief captains—(See on [2113]Ac 21:32). Josephus [Wars of the Jews, 3.4.2] says that five cohorts, whose full complement was one thousand men, were stationed at Cæsarea.

principal men of the city—both Jews and Romans. "This was the most dignified and influential audience Paul had yet addressed, and the prediction (Ac 9:15) was fulfilled, though afterwards still more remarkably at Rome (Ac 27:24; 2Ti 4:16, 17) [Webster and Wilkinson].

Matthew Poole's Commentary

The calumny of the Jews adds to the reputation of St. Paul: so many enemies, and so long in finding or making a fault that might reach his life, and yet to be disappointed! Paul and his religion are vindicated by the testimony of Lysias, the chief captain, Acts 23:29, and of Felix, the governor, Acts 24:25, and here by Festus, as afterwards by Agrippa too, Acts 26:32. So mighty is truth and innocence, that they do prevail sooner or later.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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.

Geneva Study Bible

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Acts 25:25. καταλαβόμενος, cf. Acts 4:13 and Acts 10:34; Ephesians 3:18.—τὸν Σ.: “sanctius hoc nomen erat quam Cæsar,” Blass.—αὐτοῦ δὲ τούτου, cf. Acts 24:15, Thuc., vi., 33 (Wetstein).

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

25. committed nothing worthy of death] To ask for the life of a prisoner because of some offence against the religious observances of the Jews would be absurd in the eyes of a Roman officer. The best texts give at the beginning of this verse “But I found that, &c.”

to Augustus] See note on Acts 25:21.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 25. - I found... I determined for when I found... I have determined, A.V. and T.R.; as for that, A.V. and T.R.; appealed for hath appealed, A.V.; the emperor for Augustus, A.V. Nothing worthy of death (see Acts 23:29; and comp. Luke 23:4, 15). I determined. The A.V., "when I found . .. I have determined," is hardly good grammar according to our present usage. It should be "determined," unless "when" is equivalent to "inasmuch as." If "when" expresses a point of past time from which the act of determining started, the perfect is improper in modern English. The same remark applies to the next verse, "I have brought him forth... that I might." Acts 25:25