Acts 25:2

Act 25:2. Ἐνεφάνισαν [informed him against], appeared against [understanding ἐαυτοὺς]) After so long intervals of time Jewish zeal [bigotry] does not abate: Act 25:24. So with the greater justice Paul embraced the Gentiles.—παρεκάλουν, besought) On this depends ὅπως, that, Act 25:3.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act_25:2-3. Ἐνεφάνισαν κ.τ.λ.] See on Act_24:1.

οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς] see the critical remarks, as in Act_22:30; consequently not merely the acting high priest (as in Act_24:1), who at that time was Ishmael, son of Phabi, and successor of Ananias. See Joseph. Antt. xx. 8. 8, 11.

καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι τῶν Ἰουδαίων] thus not merely the πρεσβύτεροι, Act_24:1. The opposition now came forward in a larger spiritual and secular representation of the nation against the enemy of the national religion. It is true that most of these πρῶτοι were without doubt Sanhedrists, and therefore also Festus, Act_25:15, names them directly a potiori πρεσβύτεροι, Act_25:15; but this does not justify the assertion of Grotius, that Luke here uses πρῶτοι as equivalent to πρεσβ. So also de Wette and Ewald. Act_25:5 is opposed to this view.

αἰτούμενοι χάριν κ.τ.λ.] desiring for themselves favour against him. Comp. Act_25:15.

ὅπως κ.τ.λ.] The design of παρεκάλ. αὐτ.

ἐνέδραν ποιοῦντες κ.τ.λ.] an accompanying definition to παρεκάλουν … Ἱερουσαλήμ, giving a significant explanation of the peculiar nature of this proceeding: inasmuch as they (thereby) formed a snare, in order to put him to death (through assassins), by the way.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Act 25:2 . ἐνεφάνισαν , cf. Act 23:15 , Act 24:1 : here the context evidently implies that legal and formal information was laid against Paul. If we read οἱ ἀρχ ., cf. Act 4:5 . οἱ πρῶτοι : sometimes taken as = πρεσβ . in Act 25:15 , cf. Act 23:14 , Act 24:1 , but in Luk 19:47 we have οἱ ἀρχ . καὶ οἱ γράμμ . καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι τοῦ λαοῦ . The difference of designation seems to indicate that they were not identical with the πρεσβ ., although perhaps including them, or possibly as their chief representatives: see also Plummer on Luke, l. c. Blass seems to identify πρῶτοι with ἀρχιερεῖς , cf. Act 4:5 , ἄρχοντες . παρέκαλουν : the word and the tense mark their importunity.

The Expositor's Greek Testament, edited by W. Robertson Nicoll (1897–1910) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Then the high priest--a successor of him before whom Paul had appeared (Act 23:2).

and the chief of the Jews--and "the whole multitude of the Jews" (Act 25:24) clamorously.

informed him against Paul . . .

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 2. The high priest - informed him against Paul] They supposed that as Felix, to please them, on the resignation of his government, had left Paul bound, so Festus, on the assumption of it, would, to please them, deliver him into their hand; but, as they wished this to be done under the colour of justice, they exhibited a number of charges against Paul, which they hoped would appear to Festus a sufficient reason why a new trial should be granted; and he be sent to Jerusalem to take this trial. Their motive is mentioned in the succeeding verse.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(2) Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews . . .—Some of the best MSS. give the plural, “the chief priests.” It is clear that they hoped to take advantage of the newness of Festus to his office. He was likely enough, they thought, to accept their statements and to yield to the pressure of those who had shown themselves powerful enough to bring about his predecessor’s recall. And they have not forgotten their old tactics. Once again priests and scribes are ready to avail themselves of the weapon of the assassin. Possibly Festus had heard from Felix or Lysias, or others, of the former plot, and took care to be on his guard against this, and so the conspirators were again baffled.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. Then the high priest] R. V. “And the chief priests.” For the best MSS. give the plural. No doubt Ananias, as before, was the leader of the accusation, but he got others of his own class to support him in Jerusalem. He was their representative when the hearing was in Cæsarea.

and the chief of the Jews] This might mean “the chief part;” therefore it is better, with R. V., to read “the principal men of the Jews.” The wealthiest men of the nation belonged to the Sadducees.

informed him against Paul] The verb indicates that the proceedings here assumed a legal form. It was no mere mention in any irregular way, but a definite charge was made, no doubt in the same terms which Tertullus had used before.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Then the high priest,.... Ananias, as in Act 23:2 the Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin version, and all the Oriental versions, read, "the chief priests", the whole college of the priests:

and the chief of the Jews; their rulers and elders, the members of the Jewish sanhedrim;

informed him against Paul; they took the first opportunity of waiting upon him, when he was come to Jerusalem; hoping it might be a favourable one to them, since he was just entering upon his government, and might be willing to gratify the chief of the nation, and gain their affection and esteem, and since as yet he was not acquainted with their wicked dispositions and artifices; and brought a bill of information against Paul, and gave a large account of him, what a wicked man he was, and what evils he had committed; they laid many things to his charge, and very heavily accused him, and endeavoured to prepossess the governor, and prejudice him against him:

and besought him; that he would grant them the following request.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

Ver. 2. Informed him against Paul] ενεφανισαν, they gave him private intelligence (so the word signifies, saith Erasmus), they buzzed false reports into his ears: an old practice of persecutors. Proprie significat tacite et clam indicare. Truth seldom goes without a scratched face. The Arminians endeavoured to persuade the States of Holland that the orthodox pastors sought to diminish the authority of the civil magistrates, and to affect and arrogate to themselves a power collateral or equal to their power. {a}

{a} Act. Synod. Dordrecht. proefatione.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Then the high priest - The high priest at this time was Ismael, the son of Fabi. He had been promoted to that office by Agrippa (Josephus, Antiq., book 20, chapter 8, section 8). It is probable, however, that the person here intended was Ananias, who had been high priest, and who would retain the name. See the notes on Act 23:2. Some mss. read “high priests” here in the plural number, and this reading is approved by Mill and Griesbach. There is, however, no improbability in supposing that the high priest Ismael might have been also as much enraged against Paul as the others.

Informed him against Paul - Informed him of the accusation against him, and doubtless endeavored to prejudice the mind of Festus against him. They thus showed their unrelenting disposition. It might have been supposed that after two years this unjust prosecution would be abandoned and forgotten. But malice does not thus forget its object, and the spirit of persecution is not thus satisfied. It is evident that there was here every probability that injustice would be done to Paul, and that the mind of Festus would be biased against him. He was a stranger to Paul, and to the embittered feelings of the Jewish character. He would wish to conciliate their favor upon entering into the duties of his office. A strong representation, therefore, made by the chief men of the nation, would be likely to prejudice him violently against Paul, and to unfit him for the exercise of impartial justice.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

The chief of the Jews; the same who are called the elders, in Act 24:1.

Informed him against Paul; continued their accusation and prosecution of Paul. So restless is the rage and enmity, the adversaries of truth have against the professors of it.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. High priest—Ananias had been assassinated, and Agrippa, who had the power of appointment, substituted Ismael, the son of Phabi, in his place.

Chief—Not merely the Sanhedrin, as before, but the eminent by rank, wealth, or learning.

Informed him—Brought accusation to him. They are still vindictive after two years are past, and as prompt in their action as Festus in his.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And for then, A.V.; chief priests for high priest, A.V. and T.R.; principal men for chief, A.V.; and they besought for and besought, A.V. Chief priests; as in ver. 15 and Act_22:30. But the reading of the T.R., "the high priest," is more in accordance with Act_24:1, and is approved by Alford. The high priest at this time was no longer Ananias, but Ismael the son of Phabi, who was appointed by King Agrippa towards the close of Felix"s government (Josephus, "Ant. Jud:," 20:8:8). He went to Rome to appeal to Nero about the wall which the Jews had built to screen the temple from being overlooked, and which Agrippa had ordered to be pulled down; and being detained at Rome as a hostage, he was succeeded in the high priesthood by Joseph Cabi the son of Simon. We may feel sure that on this occasion he was present before Festus, for he had not yet gone to Rome. Informed him. (ejnefanisan); see Act_24:1, note. The principal men of the Jews (oiJ prwtoi) In ver. 15 Festus speaks of them as oiJ presbuteroi. The question arises as to whether the two phrases are identical in their meaning. Meyer thinks that the prwtoi includes leading men who were not elders, i.e. not Sanhedrists. Josephus calls the leading Jews of Caesarea oiJ prwteuontev twn jIoudaiwn. ("Ant. Jud:," 20:8:9).

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews appeared against Paul - In so long a time their rage was not cooled. So much louder a call had Paul to the Gentiles.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

See notes on verse 1

J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς with אABCEL. Vulg. ‘principes sacerdotum.’

2. ἐνεφάνισάν τε, and they informed. The verb indicates that the proceedings here assumed a legal form. It was no mere mention in any irregular way, but a definite charge was made, no doubt in the same terms which Tertullus had used before.

See on this verb above, Act 23:15; Act 23:22, Act 24:1.

οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς, the chief priests. No doubt Ananias, as before, was the leader of the accusation, but he got others of his own class to support him in Jerusalem. He was their representative when the hearing was in Cæsarea.

καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι τῶν Ἰουδαίων, and the principal men of the Jews. The wealthiest men of the nation belonged to the party of the Sadducees.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. οἱ ἀρχ.] It has been imagined, that ὁ ἀρχ. of the rec. has been a correction to suit the former part of the narrative. But it may be that οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς has been substituted for it, to suit the assertion of Festus, ver. 15. So Meyer and De Wette. The High Priest now was Ishmael the son of Phabi, Jos. Antt. xx. 8. 11 [see chronological table in Prolegg.].

πρῶτοι is more general than πρεσβύτεροι, though most of the first men must have been members of the Sanhedrim. Festus, relating this application, ver. 15, calls them πρεσβύτεροι.

Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (1849–1861) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Besought. The imperfect denotes their persistence : kept beseeching.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.