Acts 25 2

Acts 25:2 kjv

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

Acts 25:2 nkjv

Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him,

Acts 25:2 niv

where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul.

Acts 25:2 esv

And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him,

Acts 25:2 nlt

where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul.

Acts 25 verses

Acts 25 2 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate, official, and earnest action taken by the Jewish chief priests and prominent leaders. Upon the arrival of the new Roman governor, Festus, they swiftly presented formal charges against Paul, urging the governor to address their case. Their persistent accusation signaled their continued animosity and intent to see Paul condemned or otherwise removed.

Acts 25 2 Context

Acts chapter 25 opens with Festus arriving in Caesarea as the new Roman governor of Judea, replacing Felix. After only three days, he went up to Jerusalem. Verse 2 recounts that upon his arrival in the Jewish capital, the chief priests and other principal Jewish leaders quickly renewed their accusations against Paul, who had been imprisoned in Caesarea for two years under Felix. This was a crucial political move for the Jewish leadership, seeking to establish their influence with the new governor from the outset. Their action in this verse sets the stage for a critical phase of Paul's trials, leading to his appeal to Caesar. The underlying historical context involves the precarious relationship between Roman authority and Jewish local rule, with governors often needing to balance Roman law with the influential Jewish religious and political factions.

Acts 25 2 Word analysis

• And (Καί - kai): This conjunction indicates continuity, showing that the animosity and pursuit of Paul did not end with the change of governors, but resumed immediately. It bridges the narrative from Festus's arrival to the actions of the Jewish leaders.
• the chief priests (οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς - hoi archiereis): Refers to the powerful and influential heads of the priestly families, predominantly Sadducees, who formed the upper echelons of the Sanhedrin. They held significant religious and political sway, often appointed or confirmed by the Roman authorities. They were the primary antagonists of Jesus and the early Church, consistent in their opposition to Paul's gospel.
• and the principal men of the Jews (καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι τῶν Ἰουδαίων - kai hoi prōtoi tōn Ioudaion): This phrase denotes other leading figures among the Jewish people, including elders, scribes, or influential citizens, beyond the priestly class. Their inclusion emphasizes that the opposition to Paul was not confined to a single faction but was a widespread and officially sanctioned effort by the Jewish establishment.
• laid information against him (ἐνεφάνισαν κατ’ αὐτοῦ - enephanisan kat' autou): This is a legalistic term meaning "to lay a charge before," "to accuse formally," or "to present a formal case." It signifies a structured, official complaint or prosecution rather than casual gossip or informal complaint. It indicates that the previous accusations under Felix were being re-submitted or reinforced to the new governor.
• before him (παρ' αὐτῷ - par' autō): Refers specifically to Festus, the new Roman governor. This highlights the formal, judicial setting and their direct appeal to the highest authority in the province, indicating a strategic attempt to gain his favor and action.
• and begged him (καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτόν - kai parekaloun auton): Translates to "earnestly requested," "implored," or "strongly urged." This demonstrates the intense desire, persistence, and perhaps even desperation of the Jewish leaders. It wasn't a casual request, but a fervent plea, foreshadowing the specific, insidious request in the next verse (Acts 25:3).

Words-group analysis:

• "the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews": This group represents the collective official power and influence of the Jewish hierarchy. Their united front underscores the organized, authoritative, and formidable nature of the opposition Paul faced, demonstrating a broad institutional rejection of his ministry and message within Judaism.
• "laid information against him before him, and begged him": This phrase describes a calculated and urgent legal and political maneuver. It indicates their readiness to leverage the change in governorship to their advantage, pushing their agenda immediately and with fervent persistence against Paul, desiring not just conviction but ultimately his removal, possibly by death.

Acts 25 2 Bonus section

• Significance of Timing: The Jewish leaders' swift action within days of Festus's arrival in Jerusalem shows political shrewdness. They aimed to immediately influence the new governor's opinion and agenda, especially concerning a lingering contentious issue like Paul's imprisonment, to demonstrate their importance and gain initial favor.
• Polemics against Beliefs: The verse reflects a polemic against the emerging Christian faith by the established Jewish religious authorities. From their perspective, Paul represented a grave threat to their traditions, interpretations of the Law, and political standing, which they saw as intertwined with Roman rule. His message of a crucified and resurrected Messiah was seen as blasphemous and disruptive.
• Echoes of Jesus' Trial: The coordinated efforts of "chief priests and principal men" in laying charges and making urgent requests before a Roman governor strongly echo the sequence of events leading to Jesus' own trial and crucifixion, highlighting a recurring pattern of religious establishment opposing God's unfolding work.

Acts 25 2 Commentary

Acts 25:2 paints a vivid picture of the relentless and deeply rooted hostility that the Jewish leadership harbored against Paul. Even after two years of his imprisonment and the departure of Governor Felix, their animosity remained undimmed. The prompt, formal accusations laid before the freshly arrived Festus demonstrate their strategic political acumen and unyielding determination to achieve Paul's condemnation. Their "begging" was not an act of mere formality, but a passionate plea aimed at persuading Festus to act in their favor, implicitly hinting at the lethal agenda that is soon revealed (Acts 25:3). This event serves as a stark reminder of the cost of discipleship and the unwavering opposition faced by early Christians, yet also underscores God's sovereign plan to protect Paul and use these very antagonisms to advance His purpose of bringing the Gospel to Rome.