The law is open, &c.— "The courts are held, in which they may have justice done them, if they have a charge of any private injury to offer; and there are the proconsuls, (Celer and AElius, then joint proconsuls,) if they have any crime relating to the state to allege." The word Αγορα originally signifies a congregation or assembly of people, and thence it comes to signify likewise the place of assembly,—the forum, whether understood of a market, or a court of judicature. We may just observe, that the word implead is a forensic term, and alludes to the methods practised in the Grecian courts. After the plaintiff had delivered in the name of the person against whom he brought his action, with an account of his offence,—the magistrate finding it to belong to his cognizance, and worthy of a public trial, the plaintiff was allowed to call upon or summon his adversary to appear in court; to answer the complaint: and this summons is what is alluded to by the word εγκαλειτωσαν, here rendered implead. See Acts 19:40 in the original.
Related Commentaries of Acts 19:38
Acts 19:38
38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the lawc is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.