Acts 25:23

And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. AND ON THE MORROW, WHEN AGRIPPA WAS COME, AND BERNICE, WITH GREAT POMP, [ _ fantasias (_ G5325) 'display'-later Greek in this sense] - in the same city (as Wetstein notes) in which their father, on account of his pride, had perished, eaten of worms, AND WAS ENTERED INTO THE PLACE OF HEARING, WITH THE CHIEF CAPTAINS - `the chiliarchs' or 'tribunes' (see the note at Acts 21:32 ). JOSEPHUS (JEWISH WARS 3: 4. 2) SAYS THAT FIVE COHORTS-WHOSE FULL COMPLEMENT WAS 1,000 MEN EACH-WERE STATIONED AT CAESAREA. And principal men

− 23._And on the morrow. _Agrippa and his sister do not come like humble disciples of Christ, but they bring with them such pomp and gorgeousness as may stop their ears and blind their eyes; and it is to be thought that like haughtiness of mind was joined with that gorgeous and great pomp. No marvel, therefore, if they were not brought to obey Christ. Notwithstanding, it seemeth that Luke maketh mention of the pomp, that we might know that, in a great assembly, and before choice witnesses, whose authority was great, Paul had leave granted not only to plead his matter as a party defendant, but also to preach the gospel. For he cometh forth as in the person of a teacher, that he may set forth the name of Christ. So that the truth of God brake out of his bands, which was forthwith spread abroad everywhere with a free course; yea, it came even unto us. By this word φαντασια, Luke understande...

13-27 Agrippa had the government of Galilee. How many unjust and hasty judgments the Roman maxim, ver. Acts 25:16, 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...

Verse Acts 25:23. _WITH GREAT POMP_] Μετα πολλης φαντασιας; _With much_ _phantasy_, great splendour, great parade, _superb attendance_ or _splendid retinue_: in this sense the Greek word is used by the best writers. _Wetstein_ has very justly remarked, that these children of Herod the Great made this _pompous appearance_ in that very city where, a few years before, their father, for _his PRIDE_, was smitten of God, and eaten up by worms! How seldom do the living lay any of God's judgments to heart! _THE PLACE OF HEARING_] A sort of _audience_ chamber, in the palace of Festus. This was not a _trial_ of Paul; there were no Jews present to accuse him, and he could not be tried but at Rome, as he had appealed to Caesar. These grandees wished to hear the man speak of his religion, and in his own defense, through a princip

WITH GREAT POMP - Greek: “with much phantasy” φαντασίας phantasias; with much show, parade, and splendor. It was an occasion on which he could exhibit much of the splendor of royalty, and he chose to do it. INTO THE PLACE OF HEARING - The court-room, or the place where the judges heard and tried causes. WITH THE CHIEF CAPTAINS - Greek: the chiliarchs; the commanders of 1,000 men. It means here that the military officers were assembled. “The principal men of the city.” The civil officers, or the men of reputation and influence....

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

AND ON THE MORROW, WHEN AGRIPPA WAS COME,.... Into the hall, or court of judicature: AND BERNICE; his sister, along with him: WITH GREAT POMP: in rich dress, with the "regalia", or ensigns of royalty carried before them, and attended with a large train and retinue of servants: AND WAS ENTERED INTO THE PLACE OF HEARING; the causes that were tried in court, that particular part of the hall, which was assigned for that purpose; for as there were the proper places for the judge and council, and for the plaintiffs and defendants, so for those that came to hear: WITH THE CHIEF CAPTAINS; or tribunes, who had the command of the Roman soldiers; and who had each of them a thousand men under them, as their title signifies: AND PRINCIPAL MEN OF THE CITY; that is, of Caesarea; the magistrates, and chief inhabitants of the place: at Festus's commandment Paul was brought forth

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...

ACTS 25:23 Near the close of the verse the margin of the Harclean Syriac reads, “who had come down from the province,” a reading that probably represents the Greek toi/j katebebhko,sin avpo. th/j evparcei,aj. It is doubtful whether this Western reading is intended to take the place of toi/j katV evxoch.n th/j po,lewj (so Ropes), or is to be subjoined after po,lewj, with kai, supplied (so Blass and A. C. Clark)....

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