_THE JEWS ACCUSE PAUL BEFORE FESTUS: HE ANSWERETH FOR HIMSELF, AND APPEALETH UNTO CAESAR. AFTERWARDS FESTUS OPENETH THIS MATTER TO KING AGRIPPA, AND PAUL IS BROUGHT FORTH. FESTUS CLEARETH HIM OF HAVING DONE ANY THING WORTHY OF DEATH._ _Anno Domini 63._... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW, WHEN FESTUS WAS CAME, &C.— That is, _When Festus entered upon his government, after three days he went up,_ &c. This was in conformity to the Roman law, and in order to make himself acquainted with the present state of their public affairs.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DESIRED FAVOUR,— That is, _desired this favour._ Instead of _laying wait,_ &c. Dr. Doddridge reads and paraphrases the passage thus: _"Laying an ambush_ of desperate wretches for him, who they knew would readily undertake to intercept his journey, and _to kill him by the way."_ These assassins w... [ Continue Reading ]
FESTUS ANSWERED— It certainly was extraordinary that Festus, who, as a new governor and a heathen, could not but incline to make himself popular, should deny this request, when it had the appearance of being so reasonable, and came from persons of such eminent rank in the Jewish nation. But when we... [ Continue Reading ]
I STAND AT CAESAR'S JUDGMENT-SEAT,— Where St. Paul says, _as thou very well knowest,_ he may either refer to the examination of him that day taken before him, or more probably to the information which we cannot but suppose Felix gave concerning him, when he resigned up his government to Festus. The... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN FESTUS, WHEN HE HAD CONFERRED WITH THE COUNCIL,— It was customary for a considerable number of persons of some distinction to attend the Roman praefects into their provinces, with whom they were used to consult, especially in matters of judicature.... [ Continue Reading ]
KING AGRIPPA AND BERNICE— This Agrippa was son to Herod Agrippa, whose tragical death is related ch. 12: He was by profession a Jew, had the power of the temple and the sacred treasury, and could likewise dispose of the high-priesthood as he thought proper. Bernice, his sister, was the eldest daught... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS NOT THE MANNER OF THE ROMANS, &C.— According to the Roman law, accusations were never to be heard in the absence of the accused person—a rule, which has justly gained to the Roman people the highest approbation of the best writers, and of all good men; a rule, which as it is now happily common... [ Continue Reading ]
OF THEIR OWN SUPERSTITION,— _Of their own religion._ See on ch. Acts 17:22. As Agrippa was a Jew, and now come to pay a visit of respect to Festus on his arrival at his province, it is improbable that he would use so rude a word as _superstition;_ so that this text affords a further argument, that t... [ Continue Reading ]
OF AUGUSTUS,— _Of our august emperor._ As _Augustus_ was not properly one of the names of Nero, though it was of Titus, the above version more justly expresses the import of Σεβαστος, which was plainly a complimental form of speaking.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WOULD ALSO HEAR THE MAN MYSELF.— No doubt but Agrippa had learned from his father (by whom, it is to be remembered, St. James had been put to death, and St. Peter imprisoned, ch. Acts 12:2.), and from many others, something of the historyof Christianity; so that he would naturally have a curiosity... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH GREAT POMP,— Dr. Hammond has shewn by a variety of quotations, that the word φαντασιας, here, signifies _train,_ or _retinue;—with a numerous_ and splendid _train,_ making a most pompous and magnificent _appearance._ When they were seated, Festus gave orders that Paul should be brought forth; w... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE DEALT WITH ME,— _Have pleaded with me._ Doddridge.... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO MY LORD,— The term, Τω κυριω, plainly signifies _to the lord_ of the empire; a title by which it is well known the emperor was now frequently spoken of. Festus knew very well the account which Felix had left behind him, and the accusations of the leading men among the Jews, both at Jerusalem an... [ Continue Reading ]