_When Festus was come into the province_ And had taken possession of the government; _after three days he ascended from Cesarea_ The usual residence of the Roman governors; _to Jerusalem_ The capital city; probably, both that he might gratify his curiosity in the sight of so celebrated a place, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Festus_ Knowing their design; _answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea_ So Festus's care to preserve the imperial privileges was the means of preserving Paul's life! By what invisible springs does God govern the world! With what silence, and yet with what wisdom and energy! Nevertheless,... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when he had tarried there more than ten days_ A short time for a new governor to stay at such a city as Jerusalem; _he went down to Cesarea_ As he had said, several of the Jews attending him, as being determined to lose no time, but to prosecute the affair in the most strenuous manner they poss... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure_ To ingratiate himself with them by a popular action, at the beginning of his government; to gratify the prosecutors rather than the prisoner, as far as he could go with safety against one that was a citizen of Rome; _answered Paul, Wilt thou go up to J... [ Continue Reading ]
_And after certain days_, &c. We have here the preparation that was made for another hearing of Paul before King Agrippa, not in order to his giving judgment upon him, but in order to his giving advice concerning him, or rather, only to gratify his curiosity. Christ had said concerning his disciples... [ Continue Reading ]
_When they had been there many days_ Among other subjects of discourse which occurred, _Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king_ For, as the crime of which he was accused related wholly to the Jewish religion, in which the king was very knowing, Festus wished to have his opinion upon it; and for... [ Continue Reading ]
_Against whom, when the accusers stood up_ And offered what they had to say; _they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed_ From the general clamour they had made against him, as a seditious and dangerous person, they would have done. He had inferred, from the eagerness of their prosecu... [ Continue Reading ]
_And because I doubted of such manner of questions_ Whether they were dangerous to the state and punishable, and whether I was a competent judge of them; _I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem_ I proposed that the cause should be adjourned to the Jewish courts, as best able to take cognizance... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Agrippa said, I would also hear the man myself_ That I may learn from his own mouth what it is that he maintains, and on what principles he proceeds. This demand the king made because he was well acquainted with the religious tenets, disputes, and expectations of the Jews, and because many won... [ Continue Reading ]
_On the morrow_, &c. Festus, accordingly, performed his promise to the king; _and when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp_ Of apparel, attendants, guards, &c.; Greek, μετα πολλης φαντασιας, _with great show_, or _splendour._ But all this pomp and show was far outshone by the real glory o... [ Continue Reading ]