FESTUS, COMING TO JERUSALEM, DECLINES TO HAVE PAUL BROUGHT THITHER FOR JUDGMENT, BUT GIVES THE PARTIES A HEARING ON HIS RETURN TO CÆSAREA--ON FESTUS ASKING THE APOSTLE IF HE WOULD GO TO JERUSALEM FOR ANOTHER HEARING …
1Llegado, pues, Festo a la provincia, subió de Cesarea a Jerusalén tres días después.
2Y los principales sacerdotes y los más influyentes de los judíos se presentaron ante él contra Pablo, y le rogaron,
3pidiendo contra él, como gracia, que le hiciese traer a Jerusalén; preparando ellos una celada para matarle en el camino.
4Pero Festo respondió que Pablo estaba custodiado en Cesarea, adonde él mismo partiría en breve.
5Los que de vosotros puedan, dijo, desciendan conmigo, y si hay algún crimen en este hombre, acúsenle.
6Y deteniéndose entre ellos no más de ocho o diez días, venido a Cesarea, al siguiente día se sentó en el tribunal, y mandó que fuese traído Pablo.
7Cuando este llegó, lo rodearon los judíos que habían venido de Jerusalén, presentando contra él muchas y graves acusaciones, las cuales no podían probar;
8alegando Pablo en su defensa: Ni contra la ley de los judíos, ni contra el templo, ni contra César he pecado en nada.
9Pero Festo, queriendo congraciarse con los judíos, respondiendo a Pablo dijo: ¿Quieres subir a Jerusalén, y allá ser juzgado de estas cosas delante de mí?
10Pablo dijo: Ante el tribunal de César estoy, donde debo ser juzgado. A los judíos no les he hecho ningún agravio, como tú sabes muy bien.
11Porque si algún agravio, o cosa alguna digna de muerte he hecho, no rehúso morir; pero si nada hay de las cosas de que estos me acusan, nadie puede entregarme a ellos. A César apelo.
12Entonces Festo, habiendo hablado con el consejo, respondió: A César has apelado; a César irás.
13Pasados algunos días, el rey Agripa y Berenice vinieron a Cesarea para saludar a Festo.
14Y como estuvieron allí muchos días, Festo expuso al rey la causa de Pablo, diciendo: Un hombre ha sido dejado preso por Félix,
15respecto al cual, cuando fui a Jerusalén, se me presentaron los principales sacerdotes y los ancianos de los judíos, pidiendo condenación contra él.
16A estos respondí que no es costumbre de los romanos entregar alguno a la muerte antes que el acusado tenga delante a sus acusadores, y pueda defenderse de la acusación.
17Así que, habiendo venido ellos juntos acá, sin ninguna dilación, al día siguiente, sentado en el tribunal, mandé traer al hombre.
18Y estando presentes los acusadores, ningún cargo presentaron de los que yo sospechaba,
19sino que tenían contra él ciertas cuestiones acerca de su religión, y de un cierto Jesús, ya muerto, el que Pablo afirmaba estar vivo.
20Yo, dudando en cuestión semejante, le pregunté si quería ir a Jerusalén y allá ser juzgado de estas cosas.
21Mas como Pablo apeló para que se le reservase para el conocimiento de Augusto, mandé que le custodiasen hasta que le enviara yo a César.
22Entonces Agripa dijo a Festo: Yo también quisiera oír a ese hombre. Y él le dijo: Mañana le oirás.
23Al otro día, viniendo Agripa y Berenice con mucha pompa, y entrando en la audiencia con los tribunos y principales hombres de la ciudad, por mandato de Festo fue traído Pablo.
24Entonces Festo dijo: Rey Agripa, y todos los varones que estáis aquí juntos con nosotros, aquí tenéis a este hombre, respecto del cual toda la multitud de los judíos me ha demandado en Jerusalén y aquí, dando voces que no debe vivir más.
25Pero yo, hallando que ninguna cosa digna de muerte ha hecho, y como él mismo apeló a Augusto, he determinado enviarle a él.
26Como no tengo cosa cierta que escribir a mi señor, le he traído ante vosotros, y mayormente ante ti, oh rey Agripa, para que después de examinarle, tenga yo qué escribir.
27Porque me parece fuera de razón enviar un preso, y no informar de los cargos que haya en su contra.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
I
Versículo 2
I. Then the high priest--a successor of him before whom Paul had appeared (Act 23:2).
Then the high priest--a successor of him before whom Paul had appeared (Act 23:2).
and the chief of the Jews--and "the whole multitude of the Jews" (Act 25:24) clamorously.
informed him against Paul . . .
II
Versículo 3
II. desired favour--in Act 25:15, "judgment."
desired favour--in Act 25:15, "judgment."
against him--It would seem that they had the insolence to ask him to have the prisoner executed even without a trial (Act 25:16).
laying wait . . . to kill him--How deep must have been their hostility, when two years after the defeat of their former attempt, they thirst as keenly as ever for his blood! Their plea for having the case tried at Jerusalem, where the alleged offense took place, was plausible enough; but from Act 25:10 it would seem that Festus had been made acquainted with their causeless malice, and that in some way which Paul was privy to.
III
Versículo 4
III. answered that Paul should be kept--rather, "is in custody."
answered that Paul should be kept--rather, "is in custody."
at CÃ&brvbrsarea, and . . . himself would depart shortly thither.
IV
Versículo 5
IV. Let them . . . which among you are able, go down--"your leading men."
Let them . . . which among you are able, go down--"your leading men."
V
Versículo 7
V. the Jews . . . from Jerusalem--clamorously, as at Jerusalem; see Act 25:24.
the Jews . . . from Jerusalem--clamorously, as at Jerusalem; see Act 25:24.
many and grievous complaints against Paul--From his reply, and Festus' statement of the case before Agrippa, these charges seem to have been a jumble of political and religious matter which they were unable to substantiate, and vociferous cries that he was unfit to live. Paul's reply, not given in full, was probably little more than a challenge to prove any of their charges, whether political or religious.
VI
Versículo 9
VI. Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure--to ingratiate himself with them.
Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure--to ingratiate himself with them.
said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and . . . be judged . . . before me--or, "under my protection." If this was meant in earnest, it was temporizing and vacillating. But, possibly, anticipating Paul's refusal, he wished merely to avoid the odium of refusing to remove the trial to Jerusalem.
VII
Versículo 10
VII. Then said Paul, I stand at CÃ&brvbrsar's judgment seat--that is, I am already before the proper t…
Then said Paul, I stand at CÃ&brvbrsar's judgment seat--that is, I am already before the proper tribunal. This seems to imply that he understood Festus to propose handing him over to the Sanhedrim for judgment (and see on Act 25:11), with a mere promise of protection from him. But from going to Jerusalem at all he was too well justified in shrinking, for there assassination had been quite recently planned against him.
to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou knowest very well--literally, "better," that is, (perhaps), better than to press such a proposal.
if there be none of these things . . . no man may deliver me unto them--The word signifies to "surrender in order to gratify" another.
VIII
Versículo 11
VIII. I appeal to CÃ&brvbrsar--The right of appeal to the supreme power, in case of life and death, was…
I appeal to CÃ&brvbrsar--The right of appeal to the supreme power, in case of life and death, was secured by an ancient law to every Roman citizen, and continued under the empire. Had Festus shown any disposition to pronounce final judgment, Paul, strong in the consciousness of his innocence and the justice of a Roman tribunal, would not have made this appeal. But when the only other alternative offered him was to give his own consent to be transferred to the great hotbed of plots against his life, and to a tribunal of unscrupulous and bloodthirsty ecclesiastics whose vociferous cries for his death had scarcely subsided, no other course was open to him.
IX
Versículo 12
IX. Festus--little expecting such an appeal, but bound to respect it.
Festus--little expecting such an appeal, but bound to respect it.
having conferred with the council--his assessors in judgment, as to the admissibility of the appeal.
said, Hast thou--for "thou hast."
to CÃ&brvbrsar shalt thou go--as if he would add perhaps "and see if thou fare better."
X
Versículo 13
X. HEROD AGRIPPA II ON A VISIT TO FESTUS, BEING CONSULTED BY HIM ON PAUL'S CASE, DESIRES TO HEAR THE…
HEROD AGRIPPA II ON A VISIT TO FESTUS, BEING CONSULTED BY HIM ON PAUL'S CASE, DESIRES TO HEAR THE APOSTLE, WHO IS ACCORDINGLY BROUGHT FORTH. (Act 25:13-27)
King Agrippa--great-grandson of Herod the Great, and Drusilla's brother (see on Act 24:24). On his father's awful death (Act 12:23), being thought too young (seventeen) to succeed, Judea, was attached to the province of Syria. Four years after, on the death of his uncle Herod, he was made king of the northern principalities of Chalcis, and afterwards got Batanea, Iturea, Trachonitis, Abilene, Galilee, and Perea, with the title of king. He died A.D. 100, after reigning fifty-one years.
and Bernice--his sister. She was married to her uncle Herod, king of Chalcis, on whose death she lived with her brother Agrippa--not without suspicion of incestuous intercourse, which her subsequent licentious life tended to confirm.
came to salute Festus--to pay his respects to him on his accession to the procuratorship.
XI
Versículo 14
XI. when there many--"several"
when there many--"several"
days, Festus declared Paul's cause--taking advantage of the presence of one who might be presumed to know such matters better than himself; though the lapse of "several days" ere the subject was touched on shows that it gave Festus little trouble.
XII
Versículo 16
XII. to deliver any man to die--On the word "deliver up," see on Act 25:11.
to deliver any man to die--On the word "deliver up," see on Act 25:11.
XIII
Versículo 18
XIII. as I supposed--"suspected"--crimes punishable by civil law.
as I supposed--"suspected"--crimes punishable by civil law.
XIV
Versículo 19
XIV. questions . . . of their own superstition--rather, "religion" (see on Act 17:22). It cannot be su…
questions . . . of their own superstition--rather, "religion" (see on Act 17:22). It cannot be supposed that Festus would use the word in any discourteous sense in addressing his Jewish guest.
one Jesus--"Thus speaks this miserable Festus of Him to whom every knee shall bow" [BENGEL].
whom Paul affirmed--"kept affirming."
to be alive--showing that the resurrection of the Crucified One had been the burden, as usual, of Paul's pleading. The insignificance of the whole affair in the eyes of Festus is manifest.
XV
Versículo 20
XV. because I doubted of such manner of questions--The "I" is emphatic. "I," as a Roman judge, being …
because I doubted of such manner of questions--The "I" is emphatic. "I," as a Roman judge, being at a loss how to deal with such matters.
16
Versículo 21
16. the hearing of Augustus--the imperial title first conferred by the Roman Senate on Octavius.
the hearing of Augustus--the imperial title first conferred by the Roman Senate on Octavius.
17
Versículo 22
17. I would also hear--"should like to hear."
I would also hear--"should like to hear."
the man myself--No doubt Paul was fight when he said, "The king knoweth of these things . . . for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner" (Act 26:26). Hence his curiosity to see and hear the man who had raised such commotion and was remodelling to such an extent the whole Jewish life.
18
Versículo 23
18. when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp--in the same city in which their father, on a…
when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp--in the same city in which their father, on account of his pride, had perished, eaten up by worms [WETST].
with the chief captains--(See on Act 21:32). JOSEPHUS [Wars of the Jews, 3.4.2] says that five cohorts, whose full complement was one thousand men, were stationed at CÃ&brvbrsarea.
principal men of the city--both Jews and Romans. "This was the most dignified and influential audience Paul had yet addressed, and the prediction (Act 9:15) was fulfilled, though afterwards still more remarkably at Rome (Act 27:24; Ti2 4:16-17) [WEBSTER and WILKINSON].
19
Versículo 26
19. I have no certain--"definite"
I have no certain--"definite"
thing to write my lord--Nero. "The writer's accuracy should be remarked here. It would have been . . . a mistake to apply this term ("lord") to the emperor a few years earlier. Neither Augustus nor Tiberius would let himself be so called, as implying the relation of master and slave. But it had now come (rather, "was coming") into use as one of the imperial titles" [HACKET].
Next: Acts Chapter 26
Nuevo Testamento
Acts — Capítulo 25
FESTUS, COMING TO JERUSALEM, DECLINES TO HAVE PAUL BROUGHT THITHER FOR JUDGMENT, BUT GIVES THE PARTIES A HEARING ON HIS RETURN TO CÆSAREA--ON FESTUS ASKING THE APOSTLE IF HE WOULD GO TO JERUSALEM FOR ANOTHER HEARING …
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Llegado, pues, Festo a la provincia, subió de Cesarea a Jerusalén tres días después.
2Y los principales sacerdotes y los más influyentes de los judíos se presentaron ante él contra Pablo, y le rogaron,
3pidiendo contra él, como gracia, que le hiciese traer a Jerusalén; preparando ellos una celada para matarle en el camino.
4Pero Festo respondió que Pablo estaba custodiado en Cesarea, adonde él mismo partiría en breve.
5Los que de vosotros puedan, dijo, desciendan conmigo, y si hay algún crimen en este hombre, acúsenle.
6Y deteniéndose entre ellos no más de ocho o diez días, venido a Cesarea, al siguiente día se sentó en el tribunal, y mandó que fuese traído Pablo.
7Cuando este llegó, lo rodearon los judíos que habían venido de Jerusalén, presentando contra él muchas y graves acusaciones, las cuales no podían probar;
8alegando Pablo en su defensa: Ni contra la ley de los judíos, ni contra el templo, ni contra César he pecado en nada.
9Pero Festo, queriendo congraciarse con los judíos, respondiendo a Pablo dijo: ¿Quieres subir a Jerusalén, y allá ser juzgado de estas cosas delante de mí?
10Pablo dijo: Ante el tribunal de César estoy, donde debo ser juzgado. A los judíos no les he hecho ningún agravio, como tú sabes muy bien.
11Porque si algún agravio, o cosa alguna digna de muerte he hecho, no rehúso morir; pero si nada hay de las cosas de que estos me acusan, nadie puede entregarme a ellos. A César apelo.
12Entonces Festo, habiendo hablado con el consejo, respondió: A César has apelado; a César irás.
13Pasados algunos días, el rey Agripa y Berenice vinieron a Cesarea para saludar a Festo.
14Y como estuvieron allí muchos días, Festo expuso al rey la causa de Pablo, diciendo: Un hombre ha sido dejado preso por Félix,
15respecto al cual, cuando fui a Jerusalén, se me presentaron los principales sacerdotes y los ancianos de los judíos, pidiendo condenación contra él.
16A estos respondí que no es costumbre de los romanos entregar alguno a la muerte antes que el acusado tenga delante a sus acusadores, y pueda defenderse de la acusación.
17Así que, habiendo venido ellos juntos acá, sin ninguna dilación, al día siguiente, sentado en el tribunal, mandé traer al hombre.
18Y estando presentes los acusadores, ningún cargo presentaron de los que yo sospechaba,
19sino que tenían contra él ciertas cuestiones acerca de su religión, y de un cierto Jesús, ya muerto, el que Pablo afirmaba estar vivo.
20Yo, dudando en cuestión semejante, le pregunté si quería ir a Jerusalén y allá ser juzgado de estas cosas.
21Mas como Pablo apeló para que se le reservase para el conocimiento de Augusto, mandé que le custodiasen hasta que le enviara yo a César.
22Entonces Agripa dijo a Festo: Yo también quisiera oír a ese hombre. Y él le dijo: Mañana le oirás.
23Al otro día, viniendo Agripa y Berenice con mucha pompa, y entrando en la audiencia con los tribunos y principales hombres de la ciudad, por mandato de Festo fue traído Pablo.
24Entonces Festo dijo: Rey Agripa, y todos los varones que estáis aquí juntos con nosotros, aquí tenéis a este hombre, respecto del cual toda la multitud de los judíos me ha demandado en Jerusalén y aquí, dando voces que no debe vivir más.
25Pero yo, hallando que ninguna cosa digna de muerte ha hecho, y como él mismo apeló a Augusto, he determinado enviarle a él.
26Como no tengo cosa cierta que escribir a mi señor, le he traído ante vosotros, y mayormente ante ti, oh rey Agripa, para que después de examinarle, tenga yo qué escribir.
27Porque me parece fuera de razón enviar un preso, y no informar de los cargos que haya en su contra.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
Versículo 2
I. Then the high priest--a successor of him before whom Paul had appeared (Act 23:2).
Versículo 3
II. desired favour--in Act 25:15, "judgment."
Versículo 4
III. answered that Paul should be kept--rather, "is in custody."
Versículo 5
IV. Let them . . . which among you are able, go down--"your leading men."
Versículo 7
V. the Jews . . . from Jerusalem--clamorously, as at Jerusalem; see Act 25:24.
Versículo 9
VI. Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure--to ingratiate himself with them.
Versículo 10
VII. Then said Paul, I stand at CÃ&brvbrsar's judgment seat--that is, I am already before the proper t…
Versículo 11
VIII. I appeal to CÃ&brvbrsar--The right of appeal to the supreme power, in case of life and death, was…
Versículo 12
IX. Festus--little expecting such an appeal, but bound to respect it.
Versículo 13
X. HEROD AGRIPPA II ON A VISIT TO FESTUS, BEING CONSULTED BY HIM ON PAUL'S CASE, DESIRES TO HEAR THE…
Versículo 14
XI. when there many--"several"
Versículo 16
XII. to deliver any man to die--On the word "deliver up," see on Act 25:11.
Versículo 18
XIII. as I supposed--"suspected"--crimes punishable by civil law.
Versículo 19
XIV. questions . . . of their own superstition--rather, "religion" (see on Act 17:22). It cannot be su…
Versículo 20
XV. because I doubted of such manner of questions--The "I" is emphatic. "I," as a Roman judge, being …
Versículo 21
16. the hearing of Augustus--the imperial title first conferred by the Roman Senate on Octavius.
Versículo 22
17. I would also hear--"should like to hear."
Versículo 23
18. when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp--in the same city in which their father, on a…
Versículo 26
19. I have no certain--"definite"