RSV ~ Acts 25 Notes

Acts 25:3 | ISB Notes

planning an ambush: The hatred of the Jerusalem leaders for Paul had not diminished over the course of his imprisonment. With the recent appointment of Festus, they jumped at another chance to eliminate him (23:12-15).

Acts 25:5 | ISB Notes

go down with me: Festus denied the request to bring Paul to Jerusalem but agreed to reopen his case in Caesarea.

Acts 25:7 | ISB Notes

could not prove: Festus heard nothing but hearsay accusations against Paul. The eyewitness testimony needed to substantiate their allegations was entirely lacking.

Acts 25:11 | ISB Notes

If … I deserve to die: Paul affirms the authority of the state to issue and enforce a capital death sentence. What he denies is his own guilt. See note on Rom 13:4.

I appeal to Caesar: Every Roman citizen had the right to appeal his case to the emperor either before or after the verdict of a lower court was rendered. Paul exercises this right to protect his own life, knowing full well that justice would be denied him in Jerusalem. At this point, only the tribunal of Caesar in Rome could handle his case with equity and impartiality.

Acts 25:12 | ISB Notes

to Caesar: Nero, who reigned as emperor from A.D. 54 to 68.

Acts 25:13 | ISB Notes

Agrippa the king: Herod Agrippa II, the son of Agrippa I (12:1) and the great-grandson of Herod the Great (Lk 1:5). The last ruler of the Herodian dynasty, he governed parts of Galilee and Perea until about A.D. 85. His consort Bernice was actually his sister, with whom he had a scandalous affair for many years.

Acts 25:22 | ISB Notes

I should like to hear: Reminiscent of Herod Antipas’ interest in hearing Jesus in Lk 23:8.

Acts 25:26 | ISB Notes

nothing definite to write: Festus wanted Agrippa to assist him in drafting a report of Paul’s case to Caesar. Having witnessed the battle of words—with Paul and his opponents contradicting one another on every point (25:7-8)—there appeared to the procurator to be no violation of Roman law, only disputes about Jesus and the Jewish religion (25:19). Luke stresses that both Festus and Agrippa believed Paul to be innocent of wrongdoing (25:25; 26:31), just as he highlights the innocence of Jesus during his trials before Roman judges (Lk 23:4, 15, 22).