Acts 25:13-22 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Agrippa and Bernice: Interest of Agrippa in Paul. Agrippa was seventeen years old when his father died (Acts 12:23). He obtained from Claudius and Nero certain territories in the N. of Palestine, but he had little power of action. He built largely at Cæ sarea Philippi and at Berytus (Aleppo), and was not much interested in religious matters. Bernice was his sister, the sister also of Drusilla. After living many years with her brother she excited the admiration of Titus and lived with him at Rome. The private conversation of Festus and Agrippa (Acts 25:14-22) was probably given by the writer of the source, who was acquainted with the principles of Roman law, and made it up very correctly. Festus gives his view of the case publicly in Acts 25:23-27. In Acts 25:3 the Jews asked that Paul might be sent to Jerusalem; here, that sentence of condemnation might be given against him. The maxim of Acts 25:16 is to be found in the Roman Digests, xlviii. 171. Festus-' account (Acts 25:17 ff.) shows that there was no delay on his part; the charges which he reports are not those against which Paul protests in Acts 25:8 but rather those of the Sanhedrin meeting in Acts 23:1-9.

Acts 25:20. Translate: and as I knew little about such disputes.

Acts 25:21. Note mg.

Related Commentaries of Acts 25:13

Acts 25:13-22

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

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.

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And because I doubtedb of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearingc of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.