College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Acts 25:13-27
f.
Paul's defense before King Agrippa. Acts 25:13 bActs 26:32.
Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted Festus.
And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him.
To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have met the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defence concerning the matter laid against him.
When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought.
Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;
but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters,
But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar.
And Agrippa said unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him.
So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in.
And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.
Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have somewhat to write.
For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.
And Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence:
I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defence before thee this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews:
especially because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers;
unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!
Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?
I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
And this I also did in Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.
And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.
Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,
at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed with me.
And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee;
delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,
to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sancitified by faith in me.
Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple and assayed to kill me.
Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come;
how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.
And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad.
But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness.
For the king knoweth of these things, unto whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of those things is hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner.
King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldst fain make me a Christian.
And Paul said, I would to God, that whether with little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds.
And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
And Agrippa said unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
Acts 25:13 Festus had not been in office long until he had a visit from royalty.
We might say that it was a visit of relatives, for the sister of the king was a sister to his wife. Agrippa, the king and Bernice. These came to bring greetings (and congratulations) but also to stay for many days. Among the many things of interest in the new post it was natural that Festus should mention the rather unique case of Paul. Luke had such a valuable source for his information that he could put the words of Festus to Agrippa in the first person. Luke causes Festus to say (paraphrasing his words):
933. What relation was King Agrippa to Festus?
Acts 25:14-19 There is a carry-over case from the rule of Felix. He was left a prisoner. When I arrived in Jerusalem, I heard more about him. It seems the chief priests expected me to turn him over to them as -a token of my esteem-'. I, of course, answered that this was no custom prevailing among us Romans. (It evidently is among the Jews.) I said that our law was to face one another in the court and let the accused have equal opportunity with the accusers. They took me up on my offer and I heard their case the very next day.
Well, when the man was brought and the trial was under way I found there were no such charges as I at first imagined. I thought the man must have done some great evil to the Jews. But the only thing I could make out was an argument between them over one called -Jesus-' whom the Jews said was dead but whom Paul strongly maintained to be alive.
Acts 25:20-22 Now I am not acquainted with such superstitious religious beliefs, so I asked Paul if he would go up to Jerusalem about this matter and be judged there before me. (Here Festus places an entirely different construction on his actions than truly happened). But what did the man do? He appealed to Caesar. So I have charged him to be kept for this trial before Augustus.
It could have been from the note found in Acts 25:22 that Agrippa had heard of Paul's imprisonment even before Festus gave him the details. The verse does seem to suggest that the king was rather anxiously awaiting a chance to hear from this strange prisoner.
I also was wishing that I could hear the man myself, said Agrippa.
Acts 25:23-27 Tomorrow you shall, answered Festus.
So according to the prearranged plan there was on the morrow a gathering not soon to be forgotten. To the king it was but another opportunity to amuse himself amid royal surroundings. This was to be done in full formal dress. The army generals were there! all the chief men of social position and rulers of the city were sent invitations. Bernice and Agrippa had on their royal robes. In the midst of all this splendor Paul appeared from the prison.
Did Paul hear the gossip of the jailor the night before the gathering? Did he know just what occasioned this appearance? Did he have knowledge that he was to speak before a king? To all these questions we will have no answer but it is interesting to speculate.
Festus had called the meeting so he now makes a formal speech of introduction. Paul stands between two soldiers with the light chain dangling from his left wrist. Festus stands before Agrippa and gestures toward Paul and says:
King Agrippa, and all others here present, behold the man, This is the one that has caused all the Jews to cry out that he should be killed, I heard this cry both here and in Jerusalem. I have tried him and found nothing at all worthy of death, but here is our problem. He has appealed to Augustus, and I will send him. But I have nothing to write of him to the emperor. I know not the details of this case. But you can help me, and especially you, King Agrippa, since you know much more about the Jewish religion than I. You can appreciate my position, that it does seem altogether unreasonable to send a prisoner with no charges.
934.
What seemed to be the greatest concern of Festus in the case of Paul?
935.
What false construction did Festus put upon his actions?
936.
Did Agrippa know of Paul before Festus told of him?
937.
Describe briefly the assembly before whom Paul was to speak.
938.
What did Festus say was the purpose of the trial?
939.
Who was in the place of highest authority in this trial?
940.
Would it be a good plan for us to tell the details of our conversion even as Paul did here?
So spoke the governor in words of flattery and not without a note of real need.
Acts 26:1 Everyone else had been speaking about and for the apostle, Agrippa gestures from his elevated seat to Paul and says;
Paul, thou art permitted to speak for thyself.
PAUL'S DEFENSE BEFORE AGRIPPA
Introduction. Acts 26:2-3.
Proposition: To demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ and that he, Paul, was innocent.
IPaul's early life. Acts 26:4-8.
1.
Was among the Jews and well known by them. Acts 26:4-5 a.
2.
Was a strict Pharisee, Acts 26:5 b.
3.
Now judged for the things he and all the Jews believed. Acts 26:6-7.
4.
Application to the king. Acts 26:8.
IIHis persecution of the Christians. Acts 26:9-11.
1.
He opposed Jesus of Nazareth and His teaching. Acts 26:9.
2.
Intense persecution at Jerusalem. Acts 26:10.
3.
Details of his madness, even to foreign cities. Acts 26:11.
IIIHis conversion. Acts 26:12-19.
1.
On the road Damascus at noon and attended with an intense light. Acts 26:12-13.
2.
The voice, the message of Jesus to Saul. Acts 26:14-18.
3.
Paul's ready and complete response to the vision and voice. Acts 26:19.
IVPaul's labors following his conversion. Acts 26:20.
VThe application of what has just been said to the present situation. Acts 26:21-23.
1.
The reason for his being taken in the temple was because he was carrying out the commission of Christ. Acts 26:21.
2.
What he says now and has preached before is nothing but what the prophets have said should come. Acts 26:22-23.
VIThe interruption of Festus and Paul's answer. Acts 26:24-25.
VIIThe application of Paul's answer to the king. Acts 26:26-29.
1.
The knowledge of king Agrippa of the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. Acts 26:26.
2.
Appeal to Agrippa and his knowledge of the prophets. Acts 26:27.
3.
Agrippa's conviction and almost persuasion. Acts 26:28.
4.
Paul's reply. Acts 26:29.
Now we shall proceed to carefully examine the details of this outline.
Introduction. Acts 26:2-3.
Paul counted this occasion a real privilege, which indeed it was. But more especially because of whom he had as an audience. Not just a king, but King Agrippa. The apostle states that he was very glad to speak to this one, but why? Well, a bit of background is in order here to appreciate what is to follow.
Here is a little chart of the Herod family to show you the relationship of this Herod to the rest of them.
You can see that this man was the last one of the Herods to appear in history.
When Paul said that this man knew of these things, i.e. the events of the life of Christ and of Saul's own conversion, it was surely true that he did! His grandfather attempted to kill Jesus when He was an infant. His father had attempted to kill the apostle Peter. All his life he must have heard of this one Jesus of Nazareth. It could have been that he also knew the writings of the prophets. His father being quite a student of the Jewish religion had taught him these things. At least his association with the Jews had taught him many points of their history and prophets. Herod Agrippa was himself part Jew, his mother was a Jewess.
Paul seems to have a high estimate of the knowledge of this one on such matters. The apostle says:. Thou art expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews.
This was a fine introduction designed to secure the favorable attention and interest of the king and the rest of the audience. And what an audience!
Paul now proceeds to demonstrate through the telling of the history of his own life that he is innocent of all the charges laid against him and that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Messiah.
I.
Paul's early life. Acts 26:4-8.
1.
Was among the Jews and well known. Acts 26:4-5.
Paul was going to take his time in explaining enough of the background to prove both his complete innocence and the validity of his conversion and commission. He says first then that he was not an intruding stranger with an unusual heresy and strange teaching. He said in thought: King Agrippa, these persons who accuse me have known me and of me since my childhood. My whole life has been in closest association with my people, the Jews. A good share of my life has been spent in Jerusalem,
2.
Was a strict Pharisee. Acts 26:5 b.
Then to show in the future of his discussion the validity of his change he mentions his zeal for the law, To say that he was a Pharisee was to say that he stood for the law of Moses in the strongest, strictest manner. Indeed, Paul was to later describe himself during this period as a Pharisee of the Pharisees. The implications of this statement were well understood by Agrippa, if not by the others.
941.
Why did Paul consider it a special privilege to speak before King Agrippa?
942.
Show how it would surely be true that Agrippa knew of the things of the life of Christ and Paul.
943.
What two things did Paul hope to prove by a background explanation of his life?
944.
Why mention the fact that he was a Pharisee?
3.
Now to be judged for what he and all other Jews believed, Acts 26:6-7
And nowThis is surely suggestive of a great contrast; what he was then and what he was as he stood before the king. What a change! It must also contain a note of irony for the apostle is saying that his charges are based only on what he did believe, does now believe, and what the Jews have always believed.
... The hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers; unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain.
The hope referred to was the coming of the Messiah. This hope was based on a promise, a promise given by God to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and others. And so it was the mainspring of the Jews-' hope. In this promise they saw deliverance and exaltation. How sad it was that when He came to His own. they received Him not.
Paul is saying to the king that his charges are not those of some wicked villany but concern the coming of the king of the Jews.
Ah! What a descriptive phrase is given as to the great desire of the Jews for the Messiah. Mark it:
... earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain.
This can point out to us how earnest, and zealous, and self-sacrificing we can be and still be wrong.
4.
Application to the king. Acts 26:8.
If you will recall the words of Festus to Agrippa you will remember that the governor told the king of the discussion over the resurrection (cf. Acts 25:19). Paul evidently spoke of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth as a proof of the Messiahship. Indeed, the resurrection would prove that this Jesus was the Messiah, or Christ. This thought was new and startling to the king, but none the less convincing. With these thoughts in mind we can appreciate the words of Paul to Agrippa: Why is it judged incredible with you if God doth raise the dead?
945.
How did Paul use the word our to an advantage, as in Acts 25:6?
946.
What is the hope referred to in Acts 25:6?
947.
What can we learn for ourselves in the earnest desire of the Jews for the Messiah?
948.
How would King Agrippa know of the resurrection? Why would he think it incredible?
II.
His persecution of the Christians. Acts 26:9-11.
1.
He opposed Jesus of Nazareth and His teaching. Acts 26:9.
Paul is saying: Oh, king, if you feel in opposition to this One and this new teaching, I can say that I appreciate your feeling, having felt the very same myself. Indeed, to me it was a holy responsibility. -I verily thought. I ought to-' ...
This name and its authority to me were very odious and anything I could do contrary to it, that I did.
2.
Intense persecution at Jerusalem. Acts 26:10.
And this I did in Jerusalem. (I say it with shame). I not only shut up Christians in jail, but when they were tried in the Sanhedrin for blasphemy, I gave my black pebble against them, and for their death. You ask how I could carry out the work of an officer of the law? I received permission from the chief priests to do so.
3.
Details of his madness; even to foreign cities. Acts 26:11.
Many times did the Jews find me in the synagogue. For what reason? to worship God? No. I was heretic hunting and when I found a suspect I grilled him with questions of this false Messiah until I made him blaspheme (as I thought), and then I could throw him in jail and vote for his death at the council. When there were no more to be found in Jerusalem I was so mad that I did not hesitate to pursue them even to foreign cities.
III.
His conversion. Acts 26:12-19.
(You are referred to the harmony of the three accounts of the conversion of Saul on pages 120-121. There is little we could add here that is not already written there.)
IV.
Paul's labors following his conversion. Acts 26:20.
In this one descriptive verse is compacted all the efforts of the apostle to preach the gospel in the first, second and third journeys, as well as his efforts to preach immediately following his conversion. So much time and so many events could hardly be described in so short a space.
V.
The application of what has just been said to the present situation. Acts 26:21-23.
1.
The reason he was taken in the temple was because he was carrying out the commission of Christ. Acts 26:21.
If Paul was arrested for fulfilling divine summons, those who arrested him were in the wrong. The content of his preaching was but a fulfillment of the promise of the prophets. In this manner Paul showed that the cause for which the Jews seized him in the temple was indeed baseless.
2.
What I say now, I have preached before, and this is nothing but what Moses and the prophets have said would come. Acts 26:22-23.
949.
How would a statement of Paul's persecution of the Christians help in getting the message to King Agrippa?
950.
In what manner did Paul give his vote against them?
951.
How did Paul strive to make them blaspheme?
952.
How did the fact that Paul was carrying out the commission of the Messiah reflect on those who arrested him?
953.
How does Paul use Moses and the prophets in his message?
Paul now plainly states, for the benefit of those listening, that God was with him and approved the things he did and the contrary was true of those who opposed him. It was only through God's intervention that I stand here before you this day. But as I do, I want to bear this news that all inspired spokesmen from Moses through all the prophets have borne: -The Messiah was foreordained to suffer and die-'.
Further that: He was to be raised from the dead and by this means (His death and resurrection) He would be able to give the light of hope to all people.
Although arrested on a false charge, tried in mockery and treated shamefully, by my own people, the Lord stood by me and delivered me out of it all. I stand here before you today, O king, to testify of the same message for which I have been so treated. That message contains nothing but what Moses and the prophets said would come to pass. I want to tell to the small and the great that the Messiah was to suffer and to die and rise again from the dead. Yea, by this means He was able after His resurrection to proclaim the light of hope to all people.
VI.
The interruption of Festus and Paul's answer. Acts 26:24-25.
Festus had hoped by this hearing to learn certain things that could help in his letter to the emperor. But he was totally unprepared to hear this strange tale. Will you try to imagine how this record must have sounded to a complete outsider? Festus listened in open-mouthed amazement at Paul's account of:
(1)
The intense hatred of one religion against another (and both believing in the same God).
(2)
The leader of one side overcome and changed to the opposite side by a bright light on a road in Syria.
(3)
The wholehearted zeal of the new convert and apostle.
(4)
The persecution by those with whom he once worked.
(5)
And now he says the message he has to bring tells of the raising of a man from the dead.
954.
Why was Festus so amazed at Paul's message?
Festus could not help but perceive that this one who spoke, spoke with intelligence on the subject of the Jewish religion. This one is indeed a learned man, but his speculations into these matters have turned his brain. This is not helping my purpose at allhe is giving me nothing that I could write to the emperor. Festus burst forth in this loud impetuous ejaculation:
955.
How could Fetus speak of Paul's learning?
Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee to madness.
Paul answers as only one led by the Holy Spirit could answer. Without a moments hesitation he replies to Festus: I am not mad, most excellent Festus (politely using the official title for the governor), but speak forth words of truth and soberness.
Paul is saying to Festus that what he has to say is neither fanciful nor nonsensical, but rather the oppositetruth and soberness. And then for the benefit of both Festus and Agrippa, Paul makes the next remark:
The king knows that the thoughts I am presenting so freely are all the events of the life of Jesus and those things that have happened to me are doubtless already known by the king. None of these things happened in secret.
Now to obtain again the attention of the king that had been diverted by the interruption of Festus, Paul says: King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? Ah, I know of thy background and religious profession. I know thou believest.
And, Paul might also have concluded that the king believed from the expression on his face. It is my conviction that king Agrippa was deeply stirred by what Paul preached. I also believe that Paul could see this and for that reason asked the above question. It was for this same reason that Agrippa replied as he did to Paul's pointed question.
With but little persuasion thou wouldst fain make me a Christian.
There are those who feel that the king was saying this as a jest or as a slighting remark, the thought being (according to them) that Agrippa said to Paul: Ah, you are trying to make a Christian of me with just a little persuasion.
But I cannot see that such a remark fits into the tenor of the meeting. It is my conviction that King Agrippa was stirred in the same manner that Sergius Paulus was in Salamis. (Acts 13:7)
What a wonderful answer does Paul give to the statement of Agrippa. He turns the rejection of the king into a definite advantage. He says in thought: I would that it were God's will that whether with little persuasion or with much persuasion both those of no standing (in this world) and those of great standing, would become as I amlifting his right manacled handexcept these bonds.
956.
How did Paul show courtesy in answering Festus?
957.
How did Paul prove that what he was saying was truth and soberness?
958.
Why was Paul so sure that the king believed?
959.
Do you believe Agrippa was serious in his reply to Paul?
960.
Show how Paul turned rejection into advantage.
VII.
The break-up of the meeting. Acts 26:30-32.
The signal that the trial and defense were over was given by the rising of the king from his chair. All others also rose and began moving out of the room. Paul was again led to his place of confinement. What were the thoughts of the apostle as he returned from this meeting? He could at least feel that he was free from the blood of all menincluding that of a king. When Bernice, Festus and Agrippa had withdrawn to themselves, Festus said: Why, this man should not even be in prison. He has done nothing worthy of imprisonment.
To this thought both Bernice and Agrippa agree. Agrippa comments further on the subject by saying:
--This man might have been set at liberty had he not appealed unto Caesar.
Of course whether Agrippa would have agreed to his release and to the acceptance of the censure of the Jews is questionable, but this was a concession at least.
961.
What do you suppose were the thoughts of the apostle as he returned to jail?
962.
Do you believe Agrippa would have freed Paul if there had been no appeal to Caesar?