Felix leaves]

26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

[Paul in bonds.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. (Z)

CHAP. XXIV.

(Z) Ver.1-27. Paul pleads his cause before Felix.-Nothing can show more forcibly the inveterate hatred of the Jews against Paul than their unwearied pursuit of him from time to time, and from place to place-even to Cesarea, which appears to have been more than 70 miles from Jerusalem. Nor did they spare expense for professional orators, who, as we all well know, do not travel for nothing. In this address of Tertullus, we have also a fair specimen of the flattering style of these venal pleaders, whose office was to make "the worse appear the better cause."-"Almost every word of this oration is false, " says Dr. Doddridge: particularly “the accusation against Paul, and the encomium on Felix. All historians agree that he was a man of so bad a character, that his government was a plague to all the provinces over which he presided; and, as for Judea, its state under Felix was so far from being what Tertullus here represents, that Josephus (besides what he says of the barbarous and cowardly assassination of Jonathan, the High Priest, by his means) declares that the Jews accused him before Nero of insufferable oppressions, and had certainly ruined him, if his brother Pallas had not interposed in his favour." As to his worthy deeds," the only thing that can be said in favour of him is, that he cleared the country of robbers and impostors. (See the authorities referred to in Doddridge.)

With respect to Paul, we will hear him speak for himself; and without attempting flattery, like Tertullus, we may observe he treats Felix, as a judge, with great respect, and expresses his satisfaction at being called before him, as he knew that he was not altogether a stranger to Jewish laws and customs, in which he may allude, perhaps, to his being married to Drusilla, who was a Jewess, as will presently appear. As to Paul's attempting to raise a sedition, there was no pretence for it, as he had been there but a few days for many years past; and with respect to his introducing Gentiles into the holy precincts of the temple, he had indeed been seen with an Ephesian in the city, but he went into the temple with Jews only, with whom he was united in the performance of a religious vow. (See ch. xviii. 23-30.) It is true

that he belonged to "the sect of the Nazarenes," i. e. the followers of Jesus of Nazareth; and after the way which they called heresy, or a sect, did he worship the God of Israel, believing all things contained in the law or the prophets, and particularly the resurrection of the dead; the avowal of which had brought upon him the vengeance of the Sadducees, to which sect strange to tell!) belonged many of the higher order of priests as well as laymen.

Felix, finding in all this no crime of which, as Roman Governor, he could well take cognizance, and that they had brought no witness as to the material points, of raising a riot or defiling the temple, he deferred his decision till the chief captain, Lysias, should come to Cesarea, when he would again hear the cause; in the mean time, finding it was a malicious prosecution, he committed him to the care of a Roman centurion, with orders for his being liberally treated.

Before Lysias arrived, however, his own wife, Drusilla, came, who was a Jewess, and he seems to have considered this a proper opportunity to hear farther "concerning the faith in Christ." On this occasion Paul seems to have been regardless of his own circumstances, but reasoned so forcibly on "righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come," that even Felix trembled. And well, indeed, he might, if he was the character represented by Josephus. No topic could be better calculated to alarm a rapacious tyrant, a seducer, and an adulterer; no eloquence more adapted to make him tremble, than the masterly and energetic reasoning of St. Paul. He did tremble, and could bear no more; bot hastily dismissed the preacher-"Go thy way for this time: when I have a conve nient season I will send for thee." Alas! how many have thus put away from them the words of eternal life, and found no other opportunity for ever!

:

As to Felix, he desired no more; but hoped, as Paul was a Roman citizen, that he should have received a bribe for his liberation but, as this was not the case (for Paul would neither bribe nor he bribed), after dallying with the cause two years, till Festus (his successor) came, left him in confinement, "willing to show the Jews a pleasure."

be

Festus states Paul's]

CHAP. XXV.

NOW when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the High Priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusa lem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cesarea; and the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, commanded Paul to be brought.

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.

8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended any thing at all.

9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Ce sar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged to the Jews have I done

[case to Agrippa.

no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cesar.

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go.

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea 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, de- · siring 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.

CHAP. XXV. Ver. 6. More than ten days.The Marg. says, some copies read, "not more than eight or ten," &c.; but the difference is trifling, either phrase meaning about that time.

Ver. 8. Answered.-Gr." apologized."

Ver. 10. I stand at Cesar's judgment seat.Doddr."Tribunal." The tribunals of the Roman procurators were held in Cesar's name, and by commission from him. So our courts are held in the King's name, particularly that of the King's Bench. Ver. 11. I appeal unto Cesar.-A freeman of Rome had a right to do so; and the judges were bound to admit it. See Townsend's New Test. Arr. vol. ii. 433, N.

Ver. 13. King Agrippa.-This Agrippa was the son of Herod Agrippa (chap. xiii.), who, on his father's death was thought too young to succeed him (being only seventeen), but had now the tetrarchies of Philip and Lysanius, with part of Galilee.

Ver. 15. Desiring to have judgment-i. e. on the ground of his trial before Felix. Ch. xxiv. 1, &c.

Ver. 16. Face to face.-Paul complains of the want of this, chap. xxiv. 19. The Jews of Asia did not attend his trial.

Ver. 19. Of their own superstition.-Doddr. "their own religion:" Hammond, " way of worship." See Note on chap. xvii. 22,

20 And because I doubted 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 hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cesar.

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

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present

CHAP. XXV.

[to hear Paul.

with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord, Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O King Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him. (A)

(A) Ver. 1-27. Paul being accused before Festus, appeals to Cesar. -We have seen, in the close of the preceding chapter, that Felix left Paul a prisoner to please the Jews accordingly, no sooner had Festus arrived at Jerusalem, than the High Priest and the chief of the Jews applied to him against Paul, desiring that he would send for him from Cesarea to Jerusalem, while he was there, at the same time laying in wait, on the way, to kill him. Whether Festus had seen the letter of Lysias to Felix, stating that the Jews had before done so (ch. xxiii. 26-30), or whether it was a special act of His providence, who controls the hearts of princes, in order to preserve Paul, Festus refused to listen to their request, but required them to go with him to Cesarea, whither he went in about ten days afterwards. The next day after their arrival, Paul and his accusers were brought before him, and they laid so many things to his charge, that though they could not prove them, Festus showed an evident disposition to oblige the Jews, by sending him back to Jerusalem. Paul, however, resisted this, as illegal and unjust, and knowing that he was to bear witness

for Christ at Rome also (ch. xxiii. 11), at once appealed to Cesar; Festus admitted the appeal, and it appears he had no right to refuse a Roman citizen.

A few days after this, however, King Agrippa, and his sister, Beruice, came upon a visit to Festus at Cesarea, on which oc casion the latter related the circumstances of Paul's case, against whom the Jews had desired judgment, on account of a pretended conviction that had previously taken place. Festus, however, gave them to understand that the Roman laws did not allow this, but required the accusers to appear face to face, and that the accused should be allowed to answer for himself. This was therefore done; but when the accusers came, they left their witnesses behind, and substantiated no one charge that he had expected, but "bad certain questions against him of their religion, and of one Jesus which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive." Not understanding such questions, Festus had inquired if Paul was willing to go to Jeru salem to be judged, but he had declined this, and appealed to Cesar, to whom, therefore, he must be sent.

The curiosity of Agrippa being excited

Ver. 20. I doubted of such manner of questions.Marg. "I was doubtful how to enquire hereof." Ver. 21. Hearing.-Marg. "judgment."-Of Augustus-Meaning Nero.

Paul's defence]

CHAP. XXVI.

THEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

[before Agrippa,

7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth,

10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the Chief Priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

12 Whereupon as I went to Da mascus with authority and commission from the Chief Priests,

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above

by this account, he expressed a great desire to see this celebrated prisoner, and to hear what he had to advance in favour of a sect which was "every where spoken against." This was immediately agreed to, and the following day was appointed for the hearing. Accordingly, next morning, Agrippa, with his sister, Bernice, came into court in great pomp, with the chief captains

and principal men of the city, and Paul also was brought before them. Festus now, pointing to him, told the court that this was the man to whom he had referred, against whom the Jews had cried out that he was "not fit to live:" and he was desirous to have him examined before King Agrippa, that he might have something definite to write respecting him.

CHAP. XXVI. Ver. 4. My manner of life.-See Note on Isa. liii. 8.

Ver. 5. Most straitest sect.-Doddr. " the strictest sect." (The double superlative is ungrammatical.) Josephus says, "The Pharisees were reckoned the most religious of any of the Jews, and to be the most exact and skilful in explaining the laws." Jewish War, book i. chap. v. 2.

Ver. 6. Stand and am judged." Stand judged." Dr. John Edwards.

Ver. 7. Unto which promise.-Paul contends that the promise to the fathers included, not only the doctrine of a future life, but of a resurrection from the dead. So our Lord, Matt. xxii. 31, 32. Compare chap. xxiii. 6.—Day and night.-Gr." Night and day."

Ver. 8. Why should it be thought, &c.-" What!

is it thought a thing incredible ?" &c. Such is the punctuation of Beza, Dr. J. Edwards, &c.; and Doddridge remarks, that "this is suited to the animated manner of Paul's speaking."

Ver. 10. I gave my voice.-Doddr. "Vote:" but as Paul (or rather Saul) never had any vote in the Sanhedrim, Lardner explains this of his joining the popular cry, or clamour, against them. The Syriac renders it, "I joined with those that condemned

them."

Ver. 11. Compelled them to blaspheme.-Pliny says, that the heathen persecutors obliged professors of Christianity, not only to renounce Christ, but to curse him; and the Jews were not less virulent.See Doddr.

Ver. 12-15. Whereupon, &c.-Comp. ch. ix. 3-5,

the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

Ver. 16. To make thee a minister and a witness. Part of this commission seems to have been delivered by the medium of Ananias; at least it corresponds therewith. See chap. ix. 15-17.

Ver. 20. Shewed first unto them of Damascus.Compare chap. ix. 19–22.

Ver. 21. For these causes-That is, because he preached Jesus first to the Jews, and then also to the Gentiles.-The Jews caught me, &c.-See chap. xxi. 28.

Ver. 22. Both to small and great-i. e. to all ranks of society.

Ver. 23. The first that should rise.-Compare 1 Cor. xv. 20.

[his conversion.

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should

come:

23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

31 And when they were gone aside,

XXVI. Con.

Ver. 24. Much learning doth make thee mad.Doddr. "Much study drives thee to madness." This, adds the Doctor, is the exact import of the original. Ver. 28. Almost.-Gr. "In a little;" that is, in some things-partially. Bp. Hopkins.

Ver. 29. Both almost, and altogether.—Gr. “ In little and in much;" i. e. altogether.

Ibid. These bonds.-It has been thought that Festus would hardly have set Paul to plead in chains; but perhaps he preferred this: we know that some Martyrs esteemed chains for Christ, more than chains of gold; and Lardner cites an instance of a Roman citizen of quality pleading before the Senate in his chains. Book 1. ch. x. 9.