Acts 25

Footnotes

1. 1 οὖν 2.b states, “οὖν serves to indicate a transition to someth. new … now, then, well … Ac 25:1.”
2. 2 See the note on Porcius Festus in .
3. 3 For location see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
4. 4 Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in . This was a journey of 65 mi (just over 100 km). For location see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
5. 5 πρῶτος 2.a.β has “οἱ πρῶτοι the most prominent men, the leading men of the place … or of a group … οἱ πρ. τοῦ λαοῦ … Lk 19:47; cp. Ac 25:2; 28:17.”
6. 6 ἐμφανίζω 3 has “ἐ. τινὶ κατά τινος bring formal charges against someone … Ac 24:1; 25:2.” Note how quickly the Jewish leadership went after Paul: They brought formal charges against him within three days of Festus’ arrival in the province.
7. 7 Grk “Requesting a favor against him”; the referent (Paul) has been specified in the translation, the understood direct object of “requesting” has been supplied, and the phrase “to do them” supplied for clarity.
8. 8 Grk “him”; the referent (Festus) has been specified in the translation for clarity. The words “they urged him” are in v. 2 in the Greek text.
9. 9 Planning an ambush. The Jewish leadership had not forgotten the original plan of several years ago (see 23:16). They did not trust the Roman legal process, but preferred to take matters into their own hands.
10. 10 See the note on Porcius Festus in .
11. 11 Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in .
12. 12 The word “there” is not in the Greek text but is implied.
13. 13 Grk “let those who are influential among you” (i.e., the powerful).
14. 14 The word “there” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
15. 15 Grk “and if there is anything wrong with this man,” but this could be misunderstood in English to mean a moral or physical defect, while the issue in context is the commission of some crime, something legally improper ( ἄτοπος 2).
16. 16 κατηγορέω 1 states, “nearly always as legal t.t.: bring charges in court.” L&N 33.427 states for κατηγορέω, “to bring serious charges or accusations against someone, with the possible connotation of a legal or court context—‘to accuse, to bring charges.”
17. 17 Grk “he”; the referent (Festus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
18. 18 Grk “Having stayed.” The participle διατρίψας (diatripsas) has been taken temporally.
19. 19 Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in . For location see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
20. 20 Grk “sitting down … he ordered.” The participle καθίσας (kathisas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
21. 21 Although βῆμα 3 gives the meaning “tribunal” for this verse, and a number of modern translations use similar terms (“court,” ; “tribunal,” ), since the bēma was a standard feature in Greco-Roman cities of the time, there is no need for an alternative translation here. The judgment seat (βῆμα, bēma) was a raised platform mounted by steps and sometimes furnished with a seat, used by officials in addressing an assembly or making pronouncements, often on judicial matters. The judgment seat was a familiar item in Greco-Roman culture, often located in the agora, the public square or marketplace in the center of a city.
22. 22 περιίστημι 1.a has “περιέστησαν αὐτὸν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι the Judeans stood around him 25:7.”
23. 23 Grk “many and serious.” The term βαρύς (barus) refers to weighty or serious charges ( 1).
24. 24 The term ἀποδείκνυμι (apodeiknumi) in a legal context refers to legal proof (4 Macc 1:8; 3).
25. 25 Grk “Paul saying in his defense”; the participle ἀπολογουμένου (apologoumenou) could be taken temporally (“when Paul said …”), but due to the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the participle was translated as a finite verb and a new sentence begun here in the translation. ἀπολογέομαι has “W. ὅτι foll. τοῦ Παύλου ἀπολογουμένου, ὅτι when Paul said in his defense (direct quot. foll.) Ac 25:8.”
26. 26 Grk “I have sinned … in nothing.”
27. 27 Grk “against the law of the Jews.” Here τῶν Ἰουδαίων has been translated as an attributive genitive. The Jewish law refers to the law of Moses.
28. 28 Or “against the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor). Paul’s threefold claim to be innocent with respect to the law … the temple and Caesar argues that he has not disturbed the peace at any level. This was the standard charge made against early Christians (Luke 23:2; Acts 17:6–7). The charges here are emphatically denied, with the Greek conjunction oute repeated before each charge.
29. 29 See the note on Porcius Festus in .
30. 30 Or “stand trial.”
31. 31 Grk “concerning these things.”
32. 32 Grk “said.”
33. 33 Or “before the emperor’s” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).
34. 34 Although BDAG 175 βῆμα 3 gives the meaning “tribunal” for this verse, and a number of modern translations use similar terms (“court,” ; “tribunal,” ), since the bema was a standard feature in Greco-Roman cities of the time, there is no need for an alternative translation here. Here of course Paul’s reference to “Caesar’s judgment seat” is a form of metonymy; since Festus is Caesar’s representative, Festus’ judgment seat represents Caesar’s own. The judgment seat (βῆμα, bēma) was a raised platform mounted by steps and sometimes furnished with a seat, used by officials in addressing an assembly or making pronouncements, often on judicial matters. The judgment seat was a familiar item in Greco-Roman culture, often located in the agora, the public square or marketplace in the center of a city.
35. 35 That is, tried by an imperial representative and subject to Roman law.
36. 36 “I have done nothing wrong.” Here is yet another declaration of total innocence on Paul’s part.
37. 37 καλῶς 7 states, “comp. κάλλιον (for the superl., as Galen, Protr. 8 p. 24, 19J.=p. 10, 31 Kaibel; s. B-D-F §244, 2) ὡς καί σὺ κ. ἐπιγινώσκεις as also you know very well Ac 25:10.”
38. 38 ἀδικέω 1.b has “intr. be in the wrong (Ex 2:13) εἰ ἀδικῶ Ac 25:11.”
39. 39 παραιτέομαι 2.b.β, “οὐ παραιτοῦμαι τὸ ἀποθανεῖν I am not trying to escape death Ac 25:11 (cp. Jos., Vi. 141).” To avoid redundancy in the translation, the English gerund “dying” is used to translate the Greek infinitive ἀποθανεῖν (apothanein).
40. 40 Or “but if there is nothing to their charges against me.” Both “if” clauses in this verse are first class conditions. Paul stated the options without prejudice, assuming in turn the reality of each for the sake of the argument.
41. 41 That is, no one can hand me over to them lawfully. Paul was aware of the dangers of a return to Jerusalem.
42. 42 Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor). The appeal to Caesar was known as the provocatio ad Caesarem. It was a Roman citizen’s right to ask for a direct judgment by the emperor (Pliny the Younger, Letters 10.96). It was one of the oldest rights of Roman citizens.
43. 43 That is, with his advisers.
44. 44 See the note on Porcius Festus in .
45. 45 Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).
46. 46 Or “to the emperor.”
47. 47 “To Caesar you will go!” In all probability Festus was pleased to send Paul on to Rome and get this political problem out of his court.
48. 48 King Agrippa was Herod Agrippa II (a.d. 27–92/93), son of Herod Agrippa I (see Acts 12:1). He ruled over parts of Palestine from a.d. 53 until his death. His sister Bernice was widowed when her second husband, Herod King of Chalcis, died in a.d. 48. From then she lived with her brother. In an attempt to quiet rumors of an incestuous relationship between them, she resolved to marry Polemo of Cilicia, but she soon left him and returned to Herod Agrippa II. Their incestuous relationship became the gossip of Rome according to Josephus ( 20.7.3 [20.145–147]). The visit of Agrippa and Bernice gave Festus the opportunity to get some internal Jewish advice. Herod Agrippa II was a trusted adviser because he was known to be very loyal to Rome (Josephus, 2.16.4 [2.345–401]).
49. 49 Caesarea was a city on the coast of Palestine south of Mount Carmel (not Caesarea Philippi). See the note on Caesarea in . For location see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
50. 50 ἀσπάζομαι 1.b states, “Of official visits pay one’s respects to … Ac 25:13.”
51. 51 See the note on Porcius Festus in .
52. 52 ὡς 8.b states, “w. pres. or impf. while, when, as long as … Ac 1:10; 7:23; 9:23; 10:17; 13:25; 19:9; 21:27; 25:14.”
53. 53 See the note on Porcius Festus in .
54. 54 Grk “Festus laid Paul’s case before the king for consideration.” ἀνατίθημι 2 states, “otherw. only mid. to lay someth. before someone for consideration, declare, communicate, refer the added idea that the pers. to whom a thing is ref. is asked for his opinion lay someth. before someone for consideration … Ac 25:14.”
55. 55 For location see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
56. 56 ἐμφανίζω 3 has “to convey a formal report about a judicial matter, present evidence, bring charges … ἐ. περί τινος concerning someone 25:15.”
57. 57 Grk “about whom.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been replaced with a personal pronoun (“him”) and a new sentence started in the translation at the beginning of v. 15 (where the phrase περὶ οὗ [peri hou] occurs in the Greek text).
58. 58 καταδίκη states, “condemnation, sentence of condemnation, conviction, guilty verdict … αἰτεῖσθαι κατά τινος κ. ask for a conviction of someone Ac 25:15.”
59. 59 Grk “to whom I answered.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) has been replaced with a personal pronoun (“them”) and a new sentence started in the translation at the beginning of v. 16. “I answered them.” In the answer that follows, Festus is portrayed in a more positive light, being sensitive to justice and Roman law.
60. 60 Grk “any man.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos).
61. 61 Or “has met his accusers in person.”
62. 62 Grk “and receives.”
63. 63 Or “indictment” (a legal technical term). ἔγκλημα 1 states, “legal t.t.… ἀπολογία περὶ τοῦ ἐ. defense against the accusation Ac 25:16.” L&N 56.6 defines ἔγκλημα (enklēma) as “(a technical, legal term) a formal indictment or accusation brought against someone—‘indictment, accusation, case.’ … ‘and might receive an opportunity for a defense against the indictment’ Ac 25:16.”
64. 64 συνέρχομαι 2 states, “συνελθόντων ἐνθάδε prob. means (because of συνκαταβάντες 25:5) they came back here with (me) 25:17.”
65. 65 ἀναβολή states, “ ‘delay’ … legal t.t. postponement … ἀ. μηδεμίαν ποιησάμενος I did not postpone the matter Ac 25:17.” “Case” has been supplied instead of “matter” since it is more specific to the context. The participle ποιησάμενος (poiēsamenos) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
66. 66 Grk “sitting … I ordered.” The participle καθίσας (kathisas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
67. 67 Although βῆμα 3 gives the meaning “tribunal” for this verse, and a number of modern translations use similar terms (“court,” ; “tribunal,” ), since the bema was a standard feature in Greco-Roman cities of the time, there is no need for an alternative translation here. The judgment seat (βῆμα, bēma) was a raised platform mounted by steps and sometimes furnished with a seat, used by officials in addressing an assembly or making pronouncements, often on judicial matters. The judgment seat was a familiar item in Greco-Roman culture, often located in the agora, the public square or marketplace in the center of a city.
68. 68 Grk “they brought no charge of any of the evil deeds.” αἰτία 3.b has “αἰτίαν φέρειν … bring an accusation Ac 25:18.” Since κατήγοροι (katēgoroi, “accusers”) in the previous clause is somewhat redundant with this, “charge” was used instead.
69. 69 Or “I was expecting.”
70. 70 Grk “several controversial issues.” ζήτημα states, “in our lit. only in Ac, the mng. it still has in Mod. Gk. (controversial) question, issue, argument … Ac 15:2; 26:3. ζ. περί τινος questions about someth.… 18:15; 25:19.”
71. 71 On this term see δεισιδαιμονία 2. It is a broad term for religion. About their own religion. Festus made it clear that in his view as a neutral figure (and as one Luke had noted was disposed to help the Jews), he saw no guilt in Paul. The issue was a simple religious dispute.
72. 72 Grk “a certain Jesus.”
73. 73 Or “asserted.”
74. 74 Or “Because I was undecided.” Grk “Being at a loss.” The participle ἀπορούμενος (aporoumenos) has been translated as a causal adverbial participle.
75. 75 L&N 27.34 states, “ἀπορούμενος δὲ ἐγὼ τὴν περὶ τούτων ζήτησιν ‘I was undecided about how I could get information on these matters’ Ac 25:20. The clause ‘about how I could get information on these matters’ may also be rendered as ‘about how I should try to find out about these matters’ or ‘about how I could learn about these matters.’ ”
76. 76 Or “stand trial.”
77. 77 Grk “on these things.”
78. 78 A designation of the Roman emperor (in this case, Nero). σεβαστός states, “ὁ Σεβαστός His Majesty the Emperor Ac 25:21, 25 (of Nero).” It was a translation into Greek of the Latin “Augustus.”
79. 79 Or “to the emperor” (“Caesar” is a title for the Roman emperor).
80. 80 See the note on King Agrippa in .
81. 81 See the note on Porcius Festus in .
82. 82 Grk “said.”
83. 83 See the note on King Agrippa in .
84. 84 Or “great pageantry” ( φαντασία; the term is a NT ). Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp. The “royals” were getting their look at Paul. Everyone who was anyone would have been there.
85. 85 Or “auditorium.” “Auditorium” may suggest to the modern English reader a theater where performances are held. Here it is the large hall where a king or governor would hold audiences. Paul once spoke of himself as a “spectacle” to the world (1 Cor 4:8–13).
86. 86 Grk “the chiliarchs” (officers in command of a thousand soldiers). In Greek the term χιλίαρχος (chiliarchos) literally described the “commander of a thousand,” but it was used as the standard translation for the Latin tribunus militum or tribunus militare, the military tribune who commanded a cohort of 600 men.
87. 87 See the note on Porcius Festus in .
88. 88 Grk “and Festus ordering, Paul was brought in.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was begun in the translation, and καί (kai) has not been translated. The participle κελεύσαντος (keleusantos) has been taken temporally.
89. 89 See the note on Porcius Festus in .
90. 90 See the note on King Agrippa in .
91. 91 Probably best understood as rhetorical hyperbole. πλῆθος 2.b.γ states, “people, populace, population … τὸ πλῆθος the populace … ἅπαν τὸ πλ. τῶν Ἰουδαίων Ac 25:24.” However, the actions of the leadership are seen by Luke as representing the actions of the entire nation, so the remark is not inaccurate.
92. 92 Or “appealed to” ( ἐντυγχάνω 1.a).
93. 93 For location see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
94. 94 Here means “here in Caesarea.”
95. 95 Or “screaming.”
96. 96 He had done nothing that deserved death. Festus’ opinion of Paul’s guilt is like Pilate’s of Jesus (Luke 23:4, 14, 22).
97. 97 The participle ἐπικαλεσαμένου (epikalesamenou) has been taken temporally. It could also be translated as causal: “and because he appealed …”
98. 98 A designation of the Roman emperor (in this case, Nero). σεβαστός states, “ὁ Σεβαστός His Majesty the Emperor Ac 25:21, 25 (of Nero).”
99. 99 The word “him” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context, but must be supplied for the modern English reader.
100. 100 There is irony here. How can Festus write anything definite about Paul, if he is guilty of nothing.
101. 101 To my lord means “to His Majesty the Emperor.”
102. 102 Grk “about whom I have nothing definite …” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, the relative pronoun (“whom”) was replaced with a personal pronoun (“him”) and a new sentence begun in the translation at the beginning of v. 26.
103. 103 See the note on King Agrippa in .
104. 104 Or “investigation.” ἀνάκρισις has “a judicial hearing, investigation, hearing, esp. preliminary hearing … τῆς ἀ. γενομένης Ac 25:26.” This is technical legal language.
105. 105 L&N 33.153 σημαίνω, “to cause something to be both specific and clear—‘to indicate clearly, to make clear’ … ‘for it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without clearly indicating the charges against him’ Ac 25:27.” Without clearly indicating the charges against him. Again the point is made by Festus himself that there is difficulty even in articulating a charge against Paul.