Verse 2

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews appeared against Paul - In so long a time their rage was not cooled. So much louder a call had Paul to the Gentiles.

Verse 4

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

But Festus answered — So Festus's care to preserve the imperial privileges was the means of preserving Paul's life. By what invisible springs does God govern the world! With what silence, and yet with what wisdom and energy!

Verse 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.

Let those of you who are able — Who are best able to undertake the journey, and to manage the cause.

If there be any wickedness in him — So he does not pass sentence before he hears the cause.

Verse 6

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

Not more than ten days — A short space for a new governor to stay at such a city as Jerusalem. He could not with any convenience have heard and decided the cause of Paul within that time.

Verse 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.

Bringing many accusations — When many accusations are heaped together, frequently not one of them is true.

Verse 8

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

While he answered — To a general charge a general answer was sufficient.

Verse 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?

Art thou willing to go up to Jerusalem — Festus could have ordered this without asking Paul. But God secretly overruled the whole, that he might have an occasion of appealing to Rome.

Verse 10

Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

I am standing at Cesar's judgment seat — For all the courts of the Roman governors were held in the name of the emperor, and by commission from him.

No man can give me up — He expresses it modestly: the meaning is, Thou canst not.

I appeal to Cesar — Which any Roman citizen might do before sentence was passed.

Verse 12

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

The council — It was customary for a considerable number of persons of distinction to attend the Roman governors. These constituted a kind of council, with whom they frequently advised.

Verse 13

And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

Agrippa — The son of Herod Agrippa, Acts 12:1; and Bernice - His sister, with whom he lived in a scandalous familiarity. This was the person whom Titus Vespasian so passionately loved, that he would have made her empress, had not the clamours of the Romans prevented it.

Verse 15

About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

Desiring judgment against him — As upon a previous conviction, which they falsely pretended.

Verse 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.

It is not the custom of the Romans — How excellent a rule, to condemn no one unheard! A rule, which as it is common to all nations, (courts of inquisition only excepted,) so it ought to direct our proceedings in all affairs, not only in public, but private life.

Verse 18

Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

Such things as I supposed — From their passion and vehemence.

Verse 19

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

But had certain questions — How coldly does he mention the things of the last importance! And about one Jesus - Thus does Festus speak of Him, to whom every knee shall bow! Whom Paul affirmed to be alive - And was this a doubtful question? But why, O Festus, didst thou doubt concerning it? Only because thou didst not search into the evidence of it. Otherwise that evidence might have opened to thee, till it had grown up into full conviction; and thy illustrious prisoner have led thee into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Verse 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.

With the tribunes and principal men of the city — The chief officers, both military and civil.