Acts 25:7

Act_25:7-12

The Jews laid many and grievous complaints against Paul.

The noble firmness of the Christian in the maintenance of his rights

It is different--

I. From the effrontery of the hypocrite; for the Christian only makes use of a defence founded on fact (Act_25:8).

II. From the defiance of the wicked; for the Christian refuses no judicial examination (Act_25:9-10).

III. From the obstinacy of the litigious; for the Christian submits to every just decision. (Robe.)

The Christian and the world

I. The world has many grievous complaints against the Christian. The Jews, who were the spirit of the world incarnate, had many indeed against Paul which were perfectly true. He was a constant source of irritation because he was a standing menace to their moral corruptions, their superstitious traditions, the policy and ambition of their priests, and their wholesale apostasy from God. So is the Christian an uncompromising enemy to the worlds darling sins, its base pleasures, its unworthy methods, and its low aims. Hence there can be no peace between the two.

II. These are not the complaints that are preferred. The Jews knew better than to air their real grievances, so they accused Paul of offences against their best institutions--the law and the temple, and of treason against the state. So the world masks its real grievances, and charges the Christian with enmity against mans best interests.

1. Happiness. How often has Christianity been charged with moroseness? Not only does it deprive men of the means of enjoyment, but inculcates practices calculated to produce positive pain.

2. Progress. How its precepts would impede the course of commerce, arms, personal and national aggrandisement, thought, etc.

3. Political order. How can a man who lives for another world take an absorbing and influential interest in this?

III. For the overt complaints of the world the Christian should have a prompt answer. Pauls answer was a model of promptness: and it was true. He had put the law in its proper place and had everywhere vindicated its true functions. As for the temple, he had honoured it, and by that very act had imperilled his life. As for Caesar, the emperor had no more loyal subject, and none more solicitous of promoting loyalty throughout the empire. And against the worlds accusation the Christian can say--

1. That Christianity alone can and does promote the true happiness of man.

2. That Christianity has been and is the truest friend of the worlds progress.

3. That the Christian by the doctrine of a future life is bound to maintain the best interests of this.

IV. The Christian should refuse to be arraigned before this worlds tribunals and should make his appeal to the highest. Paul knew that justice at the hands of his accusers was out of the question, and therefore appealed to the only bar at which it was likely to be obtained. So the Christian, if he be wise, will decline the worlds arbitrament. By it he is condemned already. What use therefore of appealing to it? But there is One who judges with righteous and infallible judgment, and he may appeal with confidence to Him. Let men frown as they may, clamour as they may--the Christian need not be frightened and should not give way for an instant. His court of appeal is the judgment seat of Christ. (J. W. Burn.)

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure.--

Popularity

I. The motive by which it is actuated. Festus was willing to do the Jews a pleasure that he might stand the higher in their esteem. This was necessary to his personal comfort, for he knew the race that he had to govern. This was desirable for the ultimate ends he had in view--successful administration; royal favour. It is remarkable that with the examples of Pilate and Festus before him he should hope to succeed.

1. This motive is a base one. Ambition to please the good and to improve the bad is laudable; but ambition to please the basest is self-degradation.

2. This motive seldom succeeds. Witness Pilate and Festus.

II. The sacrifices it entails. Festus proposed to undertake the toilsome journey to Jerusalem. But to what inconveniences is a popularity hunter obliged to subject himself. He must go where those whom he desires please, and do what they would have him do. Hence the toilsome days and sleepless nights of the popular preacher or politician. He who would really serve his race is not exempt from sacrifice; but he has compensations which the mere popularity seeker wets not of.

III. The degradation to which it stoops. Here is a Roman judge armed with all the authority that Caesar could confer, willing to surrender that authority and to bow to that which was already discredited. And the man who would be popular has often to descend from the highest ground to the lowest, from a sense of justice, honour, and the fitness of things to pander to the base inclinations or passions of the mob.

IV. The accidents to which it is liable. Suppose Paul had been tried at Jerusalem. Had the case gone against him he would certainly have appealed, and Festus would have had to endorse the appeal. In that event his popularity would have indeed been brief. And what a little thing has often sufficed to dash a popular idol to the ground! Both preachers and statesmen know this.

V. The frustration to which it is doomed. Suppose Festus had succeeded, how long would he have enjoyed his popularity? In two short years he was where the objects of the idolatry and the execration of the mob alike lie together. Sic transit gloria mundi. Conclusion: The best course is to do the right and thus seek Gods pleasure, whether man is pleased or not. (J. W. Burn.)

I appeal unto Caesar.

The appeal to Caesar

This is a proof--

1. Of conscience void of offence before God and man.

2. Of a humble submission to Divinely ordained authority.

3. Of an evangelical and sober avoidance of an unnecessary martyrdom.

4. Of an unwearied zeal for the extension of the kingdom of God. (K. Gerok.)

The appeal to Caesar

Where may a Christian seek his denied rights? He may appeal--

1. From the sentence of the wicked to the judgment of the righteous.

2. From the passions of the moment to the justice of the future.

3. From the opinions of the world to the testimony of his own conscience.

4. From the tribunal of man to the judgment seat of God. (K. Gerok.)

Unto Caesar thou shalt go.--

I. Whence this decisive sentence proceeded.

1. From Festus as the speaker.

2. From Paul as the wisher of it.

3. From the Lord as the designer and confirmer of it.

II. To whom it related.

1. To Paul as its subject.

2. To the Romans, who should soon be affected by it--many were converted by Paul.

3. To the world in general.

III. The results which followed it.

1. The plan of the Jews for Pauls murder was frustrated.

2. Pauls wish to go to Rome was fulfilled. (J. H. Tasson.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

25:7 The serious accusations were probably those raised previously (21:27-28; 24:5-9), but the accusations were unsupported by the evidence (24:10-13).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Act 25:7. Περείστησαν, stood round about) threatening danger.—πολλὰ, many) Where many charges are alleged, often not even one is true.—καὶ βαρέα, and grievous) What these were is intimated in the following verse—φέροντες, bringing) with clamour: Act 25:24.

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

Act 25:7 . περιέστησαν : if we add αὐτόν , see critical note, “stood round about him,” i.e. , Paul, R.V., “periculum intentantes,” Bengel. ( Cf. Joh 11:42 , Jdt 5:22 , omit 1 .) πολλὰ καὶ βαρέα : “many and (indeed) heavy,” etc., Winer-Moulton, lix., 3, perhaps as in Mat 23:23 , weighty, of great moment. αἰτιάματα φέρ ., see critical note. ἀιτίαμ . in Æschylus and Thucydides. For καταφέροντες , Act 26:10 , cf. Deu 22:14 .

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

They could not prove them certainly and with undoubted reasons.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

the Jews . . . from Jerusalem--clamorously, as at Jerusalem; see Act 25:24.

many and grievous complaints against Paul--From his reply, and Festus' statement of the case before Agrippa, these charges seem to have been a jumble of political and religious matter which they were unable to substantiate, and vociferous cries that he was unfit to live. Paul's reply, not given in full, was probably little more than a challenge to prove any of their charges, whether political or religious.

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 7. The Jews - laid many and grievous complaints against Paul] As they must have perceived that the Roman governors would not intermeddle with questions of their law, c., they no doubt invented some new charges, such as sedition, treason, &c., in order to render the mind of the governor evil affected towards Paul but their malicious designs were defeated, for assertion would not go for proof before a Roman tribunal: this court required proof, and the blood-thirsty persecutors of the apostle could produce none.

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

7. Many and grievous crimes. So long as Paul lived under the law, his integrity was well known and famous. Again, when he was converted to Christ, he was a singular pattern of innocence. Yet we see how he is subject to many slanders, cruel and false accusations. And this is almost always the estate of the servants of Christ, wherefore they must be the more courageous, to pass valiantly through evil report and good report; neither let them think it strange to be evil reported of where they have done good.

In the mean season, they must do their endeavor, that they may not only have a clear conscience before God, but that they may be very well able to defend themselves before men, when they have time and place. For Paul doth not fail in his cause, but courageously setteth the defense of his innocency against their false crimes. Furthermore, let us note that the wicked can never be bridled, but they will speak evil of good men, and will impudently slander them; for they resemble the nature of Satan, by whose spirit they are led. Therefore, whereas we be commanded to stop the mouth of the wicked, it must not be so taken as if he shall be free from all backbiting, whosoever shall behave himself uprightly, but that our life may answer for us, and may wipe away all blots of false infamy. So we see the adversaries of Paul, though they had a favorable judge, yet their slanders were all in vain, seeing he did defend and avouch his innocency by his deeds. And yet it is likely that they wanted not false witnesses, neither were they slack in suborning them; but because the Lord giveth his servants invincible strength, so that the brightness of honesty doth drive away their vain clouds; they are ashamed, and at length they depart from the judgment-seat with this infamy, that they were false accusers. But the defense of Paul doth show what things the Jews laid principally to his charge. The first crime was ungodliness against God, that he overthrew the law and polluted the temple; the other, rebellion against Caesar and the Roman empire, because he raised tumults everywhere. He was helped by the singular grace of God to answer and refute both, who maketh the innocence of his as bright as the morning.

John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.

(7) Many and grievous complaints.—These were, we may well believe, of the same nature as those on which Tertullus had harangued. The line of St. Paul’s defence indicates the three counts of the indictment. He had broken, it was alleged, the law of Israel, which Rome recognised as the religion of the province, and was therefore subject to the spiritual jurisdiction of the Sanhedrin; he had profaned the Temple; he was a disturber of the peace of the empire, and taught that there was another king than Nero.

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

7. the Jews which came, &c.] Better, with Rev. Ver., “which had come, &c.”

stood round about] The best authorities give “round about him.” They were eager to set upon him, and so compassed him on every side.

and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul] The best MSS. have nothing for the last two words. Read, with Rev. Ver., following a slightly different text, “bringing against him many and grievous charges.” In the two years lapse of time they had gathered up every rumour which they could collect, and these they brought forward, even though they could not support them by evidence.

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.

And when he was come,.... Into court:

the Jews which came down from Jerusalem; along with Festus, perhaps the high priest with the elders, and Tertullus the orator, as before:

stood round about; either the Apostle Paul, or the judgment seat; the witnesses and accusers were to stand, as well as the person accused; See Gill on Mar 14:57.

And laid many and grievous complaints against Paul; which they could not prove; for his moral conversation, both before and after conversion, was very strict and conformable to the laws of God and man; and yet as pure and inoffensive as he was, he was not exempt from the calumnies of men; and these many and very grievous; but it was his happiness, and to his honour through the grace of God, that his enemies could not make good anyone thing against him.

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

7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

Ver. 7. Laid many and grievous complaints against Paul] Whereby to take away his precious life: which because they could not, they had little comfort of their own. Some of their own Talmudists have observed that the devil was as much wounded with that restraint that he should not take away Job’s life, as Job was with all those wounds that the devil inflicted on his body.

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.

Grievous complaints - Heavy accusations. Doubtless the same with which they had charged him before Felix, Act 24:5-6. Compare Act 25:19.

Which they could not prove - Act 24:13, Act 24:19.

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

When he was come; the judge sat, and the prisoner brought.

The Jews which came down from Jerusalem; his accusers, which were many, and came with a full cry against him,

stood round about him, or about the judgment seat.

Many and grievous complaints; what these accusations were, appears in the next verse by Paul’s answer; but they could not demonstrate them, or make them evident; and if it were sufficient to accuse, no man could be innocent.

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

7. Was come—Festus seats himself upon the bema, or judicial elevation, his council (Act_25:12) or assessors are seated beside him; Paul is called from the guard room of the palace, and the Jews earnestly press around the tribunal.

Could not prove—The court was not convinced by the evidence. (See Act_25:18.)

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

Had come down for came down, A.V.; about him for about, A.V; bringing against him for and laid against Paul, A.V.; charges for complaints, A.V. Charges; aijtiamata, only here in the New Testament, and rare in classical Greek. The A.V. "complaints" means in older English exactly the same as "charges" or "accusations" (comp. "plaintiff").

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

Bringing many accusations - When many accusations are heaped together, frequently not one of them is true.

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

See notes on verse 6

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.

7–12. When he was come. When Festus had returned to Cæsarea. The Jews … laid many and grievous complaints against Paul. From the substance of Paul's reply (verse 8), it is easy to determine that these charges were about the same as before Felix, viz: (1) Teaching a new and illegal religion; (2) profaning the temple; (3) sedition, or offending against Cæsar, charges that they could not sustain. It is evident from verse 19 that particular stress was laid upon the fact that he was a “ring-leader of the Nazarenes.”

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

7. κατὰ τοῦ Παύλου omitted with אABC. Not represented in Vulg.

7. περιέστησαν αὐτὸν οἱ … κ.τ.λ., the Jews which had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him. They were eager to set upon him and so compassed him about on every side.

πολλὰ καὶ βαρέα αἰτιώματα καταφέροντες, bringing against him many and grievous charges. In the two years lapse of time they had gathered up every rumour they could collect, and these they brought forward, even though they could not support them by evidence.

For καταφέρειν of an accusation cf. LXX. Gen 37:1 κατήνεγκαν δὲ κατὰ Ἰωσὴφ ψόγον πονηρόν.

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.

7. περιέστησαν] Without the αὐτόν, as in rec., this might mean round the βῆμα, or round Festus: and perhaps the insertion has been made to clear this up.

καταφέροντες, bringing against him: see var. readd. and ref.

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