Acts 25 15

Acts 25:15 kjv

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

Acts 25:15 nkjv

about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.

Acts 25:15 niv

When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.

Acts 25:15 esv

and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.

Acts 25:15 nlt

When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn him.

Acts 25 verses

Acts 25 15 Meaning

Festus, a Roman governor, informs King Agrippa II and Bernice about the accusations brought against Paul by the Jewish leaders. He presents Paul's case before Agrippa because Agrippa had the authority to hear appeals and make judgments on matters brought before him, especially concerning Jewish customs and law, as Festus was new to his role and unsure how to proceed with the complex religious charges.

Acts 25 15 Context

Following his arrest in Jerusalem and a period of imprisonment in Caesarea, Paul's case had been pending. The Jewish leaders had lodged serious accusations against him, but the Roman procurator Felix had not resolved the matter. When Festus replaced Felix, the Jewish leaders saw an opportunity to push for Paul's condemnation. They orchestrated a plot to ambush Paul on the way to a hearing before Festus. However, Paul was transferred back to Caesarea for his defense. Festus, finding himself in a difficult position regarding the charges, which were primarily religious in nature and unclear under Roman law, decided to refer the matter to King Agrippa II. Agrippa, being of the Herod dynasty and ethnically Jewish, was knowledgeable about Jewish law and customs, making him a suitable authority to consult. Bernice, Agrippa's sister, was also present. This meeting occurred during Festus's visit to Caesarea, highlighting the administrative and judicial processes of the time.

Acts 25 15 Word Analysis

• “Ως” (hōs): Meaning "when" or "as."
  • Signifies the temporal aspect of Festus presenting Paul's case.
• “Καὶ” (kai): A conjunctive particle, meaning "and."
  • Connects different elements of the narrative.
• “Ἐπηρώτησαν” (epērōtēsan): Aorist indicative active third-person plural of "epērōtaō," meaning "asked" or "questioned."
  • The chief priests and the elders did the asking/questioning of Festus.
• “Επ’ ἐμοῦ” (ep’ emou): A prepositional phrase meaning "concerning me" or "about me."
  • Refers to the charges and proceedings that Festus had to deal with.
• “Οἱ” (hoi): Definite article, "the."
• “Ἰουδαῖοι” (Ioudaioi): "Jews."
• “Ἄρχοντες” (archontes): "Chief men," "rulers," or "leaders."
  • Refers to the prominent Jewish authorities, specifically the Sanhedrin members and their leaders.
• “Ἀναφερόντων” (anapherontōn): Genitive plural participle of "anapherō," meaning "bringing up," "reporting," or "accusing."
  • Describes the action of the Jewish leaders presenting their case against Paul to Festus.
• “Τὴν” (tēn): Definite article, "the."
• “Κατηγορίαν” (kategorian): Accusative singular of "kategoria," meaning "accusation" or "charge."
  • The formal indictment or claim made against Paul.
• “Ἅ” (ha): Neuter plural relative pronoun, meaning "which" or "what."
• “Ἔχων” (echōn): Present active participle, masculine nominative singular of "echō," meaning "having" or "holding."
  • Indicates Paul was being held in custody, and Festus had the case concerning him.
• “Συν” (syn): Preposition meaning "with."
• “Ἀρχόντων” (archontōn): Genitive plural of "archōn," "rulers."
  • Suggests Festus was bringing the accusations or the situation "with" the Jewish leaders present or involved.
• “Ἐμοί” (emoi): Dative singular of "egō," meaning "to me" or "for me."
  • The charges were being brought "to Festus."
• “Ἐμοῦ” (emou): Genitive singular of "egō," meaning "of me" or "concerning me."
  • The subject of the accusations was Paul himself.
• “Μὴ” (mē): Negating particle, "not."
• “Ἐφ’ ἑνὶ” (ef’ heni): Prepositional phrase, "upon one."
  • Highlights the inadequacy of any single charge or legal basis for keeping Paul imprisoned without proper judgment.
• “Τούτων” (toutōn): Genitive plural demonstrative pronoun, "of these."
  • Refers back to the specific charges the Jewish leaders intended to bring or had brought.
• “Συνέστηκεν” (synestēken): Perfect indicative active third-person singular of "synistēmi," meaning "to stand together," "to stand firm," "to consist of," or "to be evident."
  • Implies that Festus perceived no substantial grounds or unified legal argument among the charges that justified Paul's continued detention or a death sentence.

Word Group Analysis:

• "Οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι ἄρχοντες... κατηγορίαν singoli": This phrase emphasizes the organized and formal nature of the accusations presented by the primary Jewish leadership against Paul. It wasn't just a casual complaint but a deliberate effort by those in authority to present a case.
• "Ἡ ἀνάφερσιν... ἐπ’ ἐμοῦ": This indicates the action of "bringing up" the case and the charges that were officially filed or presented concerning Paul to Festus.
• "Συν ἀρχόντων ἐμοί...": This highlights that Festus received this case from the Jewish authorities ("with rulers"). The conjunction suggests a partnership or the official nature of the delegation.
• "Μὴ ἐφ’ ἑνὶ τούτωνυνέστηκεν": This is the crucial statement from Festus's perspective, declaring that the specific accusations ("these") did not "stand together" or form a solid, prosecutable case for him. He found no single, decisive charge upon which to base further action.

Acts 25 15 Bonus Section

Festus's statement reveals a key tension: the clash between Jewish religious law and Roman civil law. The accusations against Paul, centered on his alleged violation of the Temple and his teachings about Jesus as king, were serious within the Jewish framework but often difficult to prosecute effectively under Roman jurisdiction, especially if no overt breach of Roman peace occurred. Paul's appeal to Caesar (Acts 25:11) effectively removed the case from Festus's full authority, pushing it towards imperial review. Festus, therefore, is not necessarily exonerating Paul from guilt in the eyes of the Jewish leaders, but rather admitting that the evidence or nature of the charges, as presented, does not meet the threshold for capital punishment or even for a conclusive judgment under Roman law without further clarification or authority. This is why he seeks Agrippa's input, hoping for guidance or a more informed opinion before further proceedings. Festus's report to Agrippa highlights the Roman governor's need to maintain order and justice, but also his pragmatic approach to dealing with potentially sensitive religious disputes within a province.

Acts 25 15 Commentary

Festus, newly appointed governor, finds himself presented with a case that originated under his predecessor, Felix. The Jewish leaders, intent on Paul's demise, have brought formal charges. However, Festus observes that these charges lack the substance and clarity required for him to take significant action, especially any action that might lead to Paul's death. He expresses his inability to determine a solid legal ground from the accusations laid out by the Jewish leaders ("them"), suggesting that their case does not coalesce into a definite crime under Roman law that warrants execution or even serious prolonged detainment from his standpoint. He informs Agrippa of this predicament, indicating his hesitation to deal with potentially internal Jewish matters without consultation.