II. Paul's Imprisonment in Caesarea (continued) (24:1-26:32)
F. Paul's case stated to King Agrippa (25:13-22)
v.13 Herod Agrippa II, brother of Drusilla and Bernice. The Romans let Agrippa rule only over a small portion of the kingdom. They came to Caesarea to congratulate Festus on his governorship.
v.14,15 It seems that Agrippa spent some time at Caesarea and Festus used this opportunity to present Paul's case to someone who would be able to understand Jewish affairs more readily.
v.16 From this verse we learn two more points of Roman law: 1) right to a trial before your accusers and 2) right to make a defense.
v.17 Festus relays the facts of verse 6.
v. 18 The accusations brought against Paul were not of the nature that Festus had expected. He was probably expecting some sort of felonious assault on the Roman Empire.
v.19 No Roman law had been violated, only points of Jewish religion. Notice that Festus does not totally understand the concept of resurrection of the dead as being taught by Paul. What is "superstition".
v.20 Festus accurately reports that he had offered to take Paul to Jerusalem for a new trial, but the motives for taking him are disguised from Agrippa., see verse 9.
v.21 When Paul made the appeal to Caesar, the case was removed from the jurisdiction of the governor. It seems that Festus was displeased with this turn of events. Augustus- a reverent title for Caesar, not necessarily his name.
v.22 Agrippa was interested in hearing Paul and Festus was ready to comply. Agrippa would certainly know of Christianity and probably of Paul.
G. Paul's case publicly stated, (vv. 23-27)
v.23 Mt. 10:18 and Acts 9:15, are prophecies fulfilled by this assembly. Probably the most auspicious group that Paul had ever addressed. Imagine the variety of thoughts that could have coursed through Paul's mind when he found out he would appear before a Herod.
v.24 Festus introduces the case to the assembly, saying that the Jews from Caesarea had joined the Jews from Jerusalem in calling for Paul's death.
v.25 Festus had found Paul not guilty of any capital crime and is now preparing to send him to Caesarea. This was not a judicial hearing but only to gather more facts concerning the case.
v.26 Festus would send a report to Rome along with Paul. He has no information of enough importance to impress Caesar. He hopes that Agrippa and the other officials can help him decide what to put into his report.
v.27 It would be ridiculous and foolish for Festus to send a prisoner to Rome with no specific charges preferred.
H. Paul's defense before Agrippa (26:1-29)
1. His introduction (vv. 1-3)
v.1 Agrippa takes charge of the proceedings and gives Paul permission to speak. Contrast Paul's physical appearance to his surroundings.
v.2 Paul was always glad that he had an opportunity to preach Christ. Agrippa would understand the differences between Christianity and Judaism.
v.3 Agrippa knew the Jewish religion and its peculiarities, so he would be able to judge more accurately whether Paul was violating the law.
2. His position toward Jewish parties (vv. 4-8)
v.4,5 Paul's early life was not a secret. He was known to be a Pharisee and intimates in this verse that some among the assembly could testify to that fact. Paul had lived as a Pharisee in the strictest sense.
v.6,7 Paul had been put in prison because of his belief that the national hope of Israel had transpired: the Messiah. He was accused of preaching that Jesus was the Messiah, he had come, died, was buried and resurrected.
v.8 Why is resurrection unbelievable? If God is all-powerful, then he can raise the dead can't he? Then he could raise Jesus, and if he did raise Jesus, then Jesus id the Christ. This line of reasoning was addressed to the entire assembly.
3. His former position toward Jesus (vv. 9-11)
v.9 Paul now turns to his own conversion. He is putting himself in their shoes and will proceed to show how he came to change his attitude toward Jesus.
v.10 Paul now relates his participation in the persecution against Christians. Was Paul a member of the Sanhedrin? Was he married? See I Cor. 7:7 ff. Could he have been a widower?
v.11 Paul was merciless toward the Christians. He tried to
make them blaspheme, but he could not and this caused his anger
against them to increase all the more. His anger approached madness,
that is, insanity. His persecutions took him beyond the borders
of Judea.