Albert Barnes

The governor read the letter and asked what province Paul was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,

“Of what province he was - Greek: of what heparchy ἐπαρχίας eparchias he was. He knew from the letter of Lysias that he was a Roman, but he was not informed of what place or province he was.”

he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium.

“In Herod’s judgment hall - Greek: in the praetorium of Herod. The word used here denoted formerly “the tent of the Roman praetor”; and since that was the place where justice was administered, it came to be applied to “halls (courts) of justice.””

Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.

“And after five days - This time was occupied, doubtless, in their receiving the command to go to Caesarea, and in making the necessary arrangements. This was the twelfth day after Paul’s arrival at Jerusalem. See Act 24:11.”

In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.

“We accept it always - We admit that it is owing to your vigilance, and we accept your interposition to promote peace with gratitude.”

We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

“We have found this man a pestilent fellow - λοιμὸν loimon This word is commonly applied to a plague or pestilence, and then to a man who corrupts the morals of others, or who is turbulent, and an exciter of sedition.”

“But the chief captain ... - Tertullus pretends that they would have judged Paul righteously if Lysias had not interposed; but the truth was, that, without regard to law or justice, they would have murdered him on the spot.”

You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

“Because that thou mayest understand - Greek: “Thou being able to know.” That is, he could understand or know by taking the proper evidence.”

Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.

“And they neither found me ... - The first charge of Tertullus against Paul was Act 24:5 that he was “a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition.””

and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

“And have hope toward God - Having a hope of the resurrection of the dead, which arises from the promises of God. Which they themselves ... - That is, the Pharisees. Perhaps he designated in this remark the Pharisees who were present.”

After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

“Now after many years - After many years’ absence. Paul here commences a reply to the charge of Tentullus, that he had endeavored to profane the temple, Act 24:6.”

who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.

“Who ought to have been here ... - They were the proper witnesses, and as they had staid away it showed that they were not prepared to undergo a strict examination.”

He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.

“And he commanded ... - It is evident from this verse that Felix was disposed to show Paul all the favors that were consistent with his safe keeping.”

As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”

“And as he reasoned - Greek: “And he discoursing” - διαλεγομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ dialegomenou de autou. No argument should be drawn from the word that is used here to prove that Paul particularly appealed to reason, or that his discourse was argumentative.”

After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

“But after two years - Paul was unjustly detained during all this time. The hope of Felix seems to have been to weary his patience, and induce him to purchase his freedom. Came into Felix’ room - As governor.”

Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem,

“Now when Festus was come - See the notes on Act 24:27. Into the province - The province of Judea; for Judea at that time was a Roman province. After three days - Having remained three days at Caesarea.”

to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

“And desired favour against him - Desired the favor of Festus, that they might accomplish their wicked purpose on Paul.”

When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.

“Grievous complaints - Heavy accusations. Doubtless the same with which they had charged him before Felix, Act 24:5-6. Compare Act 25:19. Which they could not prove - Act 24:13, Act 24:19.”

But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”

“But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure - Desirous of securing their favor, as he had just entered on his administration. Compare Act 24:27. In this he evinced rather a desire of popularity than an inclination to do justice.”

If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die.

“For if I be an offender - If I have injured the Jews so as to deserve death. If it can be proved that I have done injury to anyone. I refuse not to die - I have no wish to escape justice.”

After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

“After certain days, king Agrippa - This Agrippa was the son of Herod Agrippa Act 12:1, and great-grandson of Herod the Great. His mother’s name was Cypros (Josephus, Jewish Wars, book 2, chapter 11, section 6).”

They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

“But had certain questions - Certain inquiries, or litigated and disputed subjects; certain points of dispute in which they differed - ζητήματα τινα zētēmata tina. Of their own superstition - δεισιδαιμονίας deisidaimonias.”

But when Paul appealed to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar.”

“But when he had appealed - Act 25:11. To be reserved - To be kept; not to be tried at Jerusalem, but to be sent to Rome for trial. Unto the hearing - Margin, “the judgment.” That Augustus might hear and decide the cause.”

The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium, along with the commanders and leading men of the city.

“With great pomp - Greek: “with much phantasy” φαντασίας phantasias; with much show, parade, and splendor. It was an occasion on which he could exhibit much of the splendor of royalty, and he chose to do it.”

Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man.

“Have dealt with me - Have appeared before me, desiring me to try him. They have urged me to condemn him. Crying ... - Compare Act 22:22. They had sought that he should be put to death.”

For it seems unreasonable to me to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”

“For it seemeth to me unreasonable - Festus felt that he was placed in an embarrassing situation. He was about to send a prisoner to Rome who had been tried by himself, and who had appealed from his jurisdiction, and yet he was ignorant of…”