Acts 25:5

φησί : change to the oratio recta, cf. Acts 1:4. For other instances of the insertion of the single words ἔφη or φησίν, rare in N. T., see Simcox, Language of the New Testament, p. 200; cf. Acts 23:35, Acts 26:25, 1 Corinthians 6:16; 2 Corinthians 10:10; Hebrews 8:5. οἱ … δυνατοί : “Let them therefore, saith he, which are of power among you,” R.V.; not simply “which are able,” A.V., “qui in vobis potentes sunt,” Vulgate. The word may be used by Festus, because he was not acquainted with the Jewish official terms, or it may be used in a general way as in 1 Corinthians 1:26. In Jos., B.J., i., 12, 5, we have the expression, ἧκον Ἰουδαίων οἱ δυνατοί, cf. Thuc. i. 89, Polyb., ix., 23, 4; but in addition to this general use of the word Jos. frequently conjoins the ἀρχιερεῖς with the δυνατοί as members of the Sanhedrim, Schürer, Jewish People, div. ii., vol. i., p. 178, E.T. This interpretation of the word is more natural than that adopted by Bengel: “ qui valent ad iter faciendum: ἧθος urbanum Festi respondents Judæis molestiam viae causantibus;” for other explanations see Wendt-Meyer, in loco. συγκαταβάντες : “go down with me,” R.V., mecum; only here in N. T., in LXX, Ps. 48:17, Wis 10:13, Dan. 3:49 (Theod. 3:49) = Song of the Three Children, Acts 25:26. ἄτοπον, see critical note, and further on Acts 28:6.