Charles Spurgeon Commentary Acts 25
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Acts 25
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Acts 25
"Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea." — Acts 25:1 (ASV)
Porcius Festus had been appointed governor in place of Felix. Felix had left Paul a prisoner to please the Jews, although he would have been willing enough to release him if Paul or his friends had given him a sufficiently large bribe. He had trembled as Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, but his conscience had not been sufficiently stirred to make him act justly toward the apostle.
Yet Felix’s unrighteous conduct was made to serve the Lord's purpose: that Paul should testify before one earthly ruler after another until he should ultimately appear before the cruel Nero himself in Rome. Paul was in Caesarea but was not immediately brought before Festus; and when the governor went up to Jerusalem, the apostle’s enemies renewed their plotting against him.
"And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way." — Acts 25:2-3 (ASV)
They had been foiled in their previous attempt to assassinate the apostle, but their malice led them to try again to put him to death in that despicable manner.
"Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart [thither] shortly. Let them therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him." — Acts 25:4-5 (ASV)
Whether Festus suspected their real reason for being so anxious for him to send for Paul, we cannot tell; but, at any rate, their scheme was once more a failure.
"And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove;" — Acts 25:6-7 (ASV)
It was easy for them to make many and grievous complaints against Paul, yet it was not only difficult but impossible for them to prove their charge against the apostle.
"while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all. But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?" — Acts 25:8-9 (ASV)
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended anything at all. But Festus, willing to do the Jew's pleasure,-
In that respect he was just like his predecessor, Felix. No doubt he took into account the number and position of Paul's accusers, and thought it would be the wiser policy to side with them rather than with the prisoner; and, therefore, Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure,–
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