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 that purpose began telling him that Felix had left Paul in bonds, and that the chief priests and elders at Jerusalem had applied to him, desiring judgment against him As upon a previous conviction falsely pretended. To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans When a crime is charged upon a person; to deliver any man to be put to death before he who is accused have the accusers Openly produced to give their evidence against him; face to face, and he have also license to answer for himself To make his defence; concerning the crime laid against him How excellent a rule, to condemn no one unheard! A rule which, as it is common to all nations, (courts of inquisition only excepted,) so it ought to direct our proceedings in all affairs, not only in public but private life.
Related Commentaries of Acts 25:14
Acts 25:14-16
14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.