Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 25:27

"For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him." — Acts 25:27 (ASV)

For it seems to me unreasonable, Festus felt that he was placed in an embarrassing situation. He was about to send a prisoner to Rome to be tried, who had already been tried by Festus himself and had appealed from his jurisdiction; yet he was ignorant of the charges against him and of the nature of his offenses, if any had been committed. When prisoners were sent to Rome in this way to be tried before the emperor, it was proper for all the charges to be specified and the supporting evidence stated. Yet Festus could do neither. It is not surprising that he felt perplexed and embarrassed, and was glad to make use of the desire Agrippa had expressed to hear Paul, so that he might be able to specify the charges against him.

Withal. Also; at the same time.

To signify. To specify, or make them known. In concluding this chapter, we may observe:

1. In the case of Agrippa, we have an example of the reasons that lead many people to hear the gospel. He had no belief in it; he had no concern for its truth or its promises; but he was led by curiosity to desire to hear the minister of the gospel of Christ.

   Curiosity thus draws multitudes to the sanctuary. In many instances, they remain unaffected and unconcerned regarding its provisions of mercy. They listen, are unmoved, and die in their sins. In many instances, like Agrippa, they are almost persuaded to be Christians (Acts 26:28). But, like him, they resist the appeals and die uninterested in the plan of salvation.

   In some instances, they are converted, and their curiosity, like that of Zaccheus, is made the means of their embracing the Savior (Luke 19:1–9). Whatever may be the motive that leads people to desire to hear, it is the duty of the ministry, like Paul, to state the truth cheerfully and thankfully, and to defend the Christian religion.

2. In Festus, we have an example of the way in which the great, the rich, and the proud usually regard Christianity. They consider it a subject of inquiry in which they have no interest—a question about "one dead Jesus," whom Christians affirm to be alive. Whether he is alive or not, whether Christianity is true or false, they suppose, is an inquiry that does not pertain to them. Strange that it did not occur to Festus that if he was alive, his religion was true, and that it was possible that it might be from God. And strange that the people of this world regard the Christian religion as a subject in which they have no personal interest, but as one concerning which Christians only should inquire, and in which they alone should feel any concern.

3. In Paul, we have the example of a man unlike both Festus and Agrippa. He felt a deep interest in the subject—a subject that pertained as much to them as to him. He was willing not only to look at it with curiosity but to stake his life, his reputation, his all, on its truth. He was willing to defend it everywhere and before any class of people.

   While he urged his rights as a Roman citizen, it was mainly so that he might preach the gospel. While he was anxious to secure justice for himself, his chief anxiety was to declare the truth of God. Before any tribunal, before any class of people, in the presence of princes, nobles, and kings, of Romans and Jews, he was ready to pour forth irresistible eloquence and argument in defense of the truth.

   Who would not rather be Paul than either Festus or Agrippa? Who would not rather be a prisoner like him than be invested with authority like Festus, or clothed in splendor like Agrippa? And who would not rather be an honest and heartfelt believer of the gospel like Paul, than, like them, be cold scorners or neglecters of the God who made them, and of the Savior who died and rose again?