Acts 25:1

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Festus, coming to Jerusalem, is urged to have Paul tried there-Hedeclines, but promises the parties a hearing at Caesarea (25:1-5) Now when Festus was come into the province, [eparchia ( G1885)]. Judea belonged to the Roman province of Syria, which was under the imperial rule, and administered by a Procurator [epitropos ( G2012)]. See the note at Acts 13:7. After three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem - to make himself acquainted with the great central city of his government without delay....

− 1._Then when Festus. _The second action is described in this place, wherein Paul hath as hard a combat, and is in no less danger than in the first. Seeing he was left in bonds, Festus might suspect that the cause was doubtful, and so gather an unjust prejudice. But there was another thing which was cause of great danger. We know that new rulers, because they will win the favor of those who are in the provinces, use to grant them many things at their first coming; so that it was to be thought that the death of Paul should be to Festus a fine means to win favor with all. Therefore, the faith of the holy man is assailed afresh with a new trial, as if the promise had been vain whereto he had hitherto trusted; but the grace of God doth so much the more plainly show itself in delivering him, because, contrary to all hope, he is delivered out of the jaws of death. The Jews prevent the governo...

1-12 See how restless malice is. Persecutors deem it a peculiar favour to have their malice gratified. Preaching Christ, the end of the law, was no offence against the law. In suffering times the prudence of the Lord's people is tried, as well as their patience; they need wisdom. It becomes those who are innocent, to insist upon their innocence. Paul was willing to abide by the rules of the law, and to let that take its course. If he deserved death, he would accept the punishment. But if none of the things whereof they accused him were true, no man could deliver him unto them, with justice. Paul is neither released nor condemned. It is an instance of the slow steps which Providence takes; by which we are often made ashamed, both of our hopes and of our fears, and are kept waiting on God....

CHAPTER XXV. _Porcius Festus being appointed governor of Judea, instead of_ _Felix, the Jews beseech him to have Paul brought up to_ _Jerusalem, that he might be tried there; they lying in wait to_ _kill him on the way_, 1-3. _Festus refuses, and desires those who could prove any thing_ _against him, to go with him to Caesarea_, 4, 5. _Festus, having tarried at Jerusalem about ten days, returns to_ _Caesarea, and the next day Paul is brought to his trial, and_ _the Jews of Jerusalem bring many groundless charges against_ him,

NOW WHEN FESTUS WAS COME - See the notes on Acts 24:27. INTO THE PROVINCE - The province of Judea; for Judea at that time was a Roman province. AFTER THREE DAYS - Having remained three days at Caesarea. HE ASCENDED - This was the usual language in describing a journey to Jerusalem. Thus, the English people speak of going up to London, because it is the capital. See the notes on Acts 15:1. TO JERUSALEM - The governors of Judea at this time usually resided at Caesarea; but as Jerusalem had been the former capital; as it was still the seat of the religious solemni ties; as the Sanhedrin held its meetings there; and as

EXPOSTION ACTS 25:1 _Foetus therefore having come _for _now when Foetus was come, _A.V.; _went up _for _he ascended, _A.V.; _to Jerusalem from Casarea _for _from Caesarea to Jerusalem, _A.V. THE PROVINCE (ἐπαρχία)_; _above, Acts 23:1. Acts 23:34. AFTER THREE DAYS, etc. It is an evidence of the diligence of Foetus that he lost no time in going to Jerusalem, the center of disaffection to the Roman government. ACTS 25:2 _And _for _then, _A.V.;_ chief priests _for _high priest, _A.V. an

NOW WHEN FESTUS WAS COME INTO THE PROVINCE,.... Of Judea, which was a Roman province, over which he was made governor by Nero, the Roman emperor, in the room of Felix; he now being landed in some part of the province, namely, at Caesarea, and so might be said to have entered upon the government of it, as the phrase will bear to be rendered; AFTER THREE DAYS HE ASCENDED FROM CAESAREA TO JERUSALEM; he very likely came by sea from Italy to Judea, and landed at Caesarea; for though Joppa was the nearest port to Jerusalem, yet Caesarea was the safest, and most commodious port, being made so by Herod; Acts 18:22, and besides, it seems to have been very much the residence of the kings and governors of Judea, Acts 12:19 here Festus stayed three days after his landing, to rest himself after

Acts 25:1. _Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem._ Porcius Festus had been appointed governor in the place of Felix, who had left Paul a prisoner so as to please the Jews, though he would have been willing enough to release him, if Paul or his friends, would have given him a sufficiently heavy bribe. He had trembled as Paul had «reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,» but his conscience had not been so quickened as to make him act justly towards the apostle. Yet his unrighteous conduct was made to serve the Lord's purpose, which was that Paul should testify before one earthly ruler after another until he should ultimately appear before the cruel Nero himself at Rome. Paul was at Caesarea, but he was not at once brought before Festus; and when the governor went up to Jerusalem, the apostle's enemies rene...

CHAPTER 25 _ 1. Festus and the Jews. Paul appeals to Caesar (Acts 25:1)._ 2. King Agrippa visits Festus (Acts 25:13). 3. Paul brought before the King (Acts 25:23). The new governor, Festus, had arrived at Caesarea, and then went up to Jerusalem, the capital of the province. The Jews had not forgotten Paul, though they had not attempted another accusation before Felix, knowing that the case was hopeless. But they made at once an effort with the new governor. No sooner had this official made his appearance in Jerusalem than the high priest and the chief of the Jews made a report about Paul. Most likely Festus had not even heard of Paul up to that time. What really took place in Jerusalem, Festus later

TRIAL BEFORE FESTUS. Of Festus little is known, but nothing unfavourable. Here he appears as a conscientious magistrate, who keeps everyone in his proper place and does not allow the course of justice to be unduly delayed. Mommsen in ZNTW, 1901, p. 81, finds the account of Paul's trials before Felix and Festus, in spite of some editorial touches, to be quite in accordance with Roman legal form, and says that in this report alone is a case of appeal to the Emperor placed before us in living reality. The new procurator having entered on his office (Acts 25:1 _mg.)_ there is an end of the long delay. The animosity of the Jews against Paul is unabated after the two years. To their application (Acts 25:3) Festus replies by pointing out their proper legal course; those who are of power ...