Verse 1

Now 1 when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

(1) Satan's ministers are subtle and diligent in seeking every occasion: but God who watches for his own, easily hinders all their counsels.

Verse 6

2 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.

(2) We may justly avoid an injury, but not with an injury.

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 a they could not prove.

(a) They could not prove them certainly and without undoubted reasons.

Verse 9

3 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?

(3) God does not only turn aside the counsel of the wicked, but also turns it upon their own heads.

Verse 13

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

(4) Festus, without even trying to, even before kings, brings to light the wickedness of the Jews, and Paul's innocence, and in this way marvellously confirms the Church of God.

(b) This Agrippa was the son of Agrippa whose death Luke spoke of before, and Bernice was his sister.

Verse 16

To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to c 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.

(c) The Romans did not used to deliver any man to be punished before, etc.

Verse 19

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

(5) The profane and wicked take an occasion to condemn the true doctrine, because of private controversies and contentions of men between themselves: but the truth nevertheless abides safe and sure in the meantime.

(d) This profane man calls the Jewish religion "superstition", and that before King Agrippa, but it is no wonder: for the rulers of provinces, because of the majesty of the empire of Rome, used to think themselves better than kings.

Verse 22

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

(6) That is fulfilled in Paul which the Lord had told to Ananias about him; see (Acts 9:15).

Verse 23

And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great e 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.

(e) Gorgeously, like a prince.

Verse 26

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my f 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.

(f) To Augustus. Good princes refused this name at the first, that is, to be called lords, but afterwards they allowed it, as we read of Traianus.