Act 25:14-16 | RWP | e4.org | Tarried ( διετριβον ). Imperfect active of διατριβω , common verb for spending time ( , etc.). Many days ( πλειους ημερας ). More days (than a few). Accusative case for extent of time. Laid Paul's case ( ανεθετο τα κατα τον Παυλον ). Second aorist middle indicative of ανατιθημ , old verb to set before, to place up, as if for consultation in conference. Only twice in N.T. here and . The motive of Festus is not given, though it was natural enough in view of the quandary of Festus about Paul (the things about Paul) and Agrippa's interest in and responsibility for Jewish worship in the temple in Jerusalem. It is quite possible that Festus had a bit of εννυ over the visit of these Jewish dignitaries as "more days" went by. Hence the tone of Festus about Paul in this proposal for the entertainment of Agrippa and Bernice is certainly one of superficial and supremely supercilious indifference. Left a prisoner ( καταλελιμμενος δεσμιος ). Perfect passive participle of καταλειπω , to leave behind. Paul is one of Felix's left overs (left behind), a sort of "junk" left on his hands. This cowardly Roman procurator thus pictures the greatest of living men and the greatest preacher of all time to this profligate pair (brother and sister) of sinners. Undoubtedly today in certain circles Christ and his preachers are held up to like contempt.

‏ Acts 25:14-16

Tarried ( διετριβον ). Imperfect active of διατριβω, common verb for spending time (Ac 12:19, etc.).

Many days ( πλειους ημερας ). More days (than a few). Accusative case for extent of time.

Laid Paul's case ( ανεθετο τα κατα τον Παυλον ). Second aorist middle indicative of ανατιθημ, old verb to set before, to place up, as if for consultation in conference. Only twice in N.T. here and Ga 2:2. The motive of Festus is not given, though it was natural enough in view of the quandary of Festus about Paul (the things about Paul) and Agrippa's interest in and responsibility for Jewish worship in the temple in Jerusalem. It is quite possible that Festus had a bit of εννυ over the visit of these Jewish dignitaries as "more days" went by. Hence the tone of Festus about Paul in this proposal for the entertainment of Agrippa and Bernice is certainly one of superficial and supremely supercilious indifference.

Left a prisoner ( καταλελιμμενος δεσμιος ). Perfect passive participle of καταλειπω, to leave behind. Paul is one of Felix's left overs (left behind), a sort of "junk" left on his hands. This cowardly Roman procurator thus pictures the greatest of living men and the greatest preacher of all time to this profligate pair (brother and sister) of sinners. Undoubtedly today in certain circles Christ and his preachers are held up to like contempt.

Informed ( ενεφανισαν ). Same word as in 23:15, 22; 25:2 which see.

Asking for sentence against him ( αιτουμενο κατ' αυτου καταδικην ). Only N.T. example of this old word (penalty, fine, condemnation) from κατα and δικη (justice against).

It is not the custom of the Romans ( οτ ουκ εστιν εθος Ρωμαιοις ). If a direct quotation, οτ is recitative as in Authorized Version. Canterbury Revision takes it as indirect discourse after απεκριθην (I answered), itself in a relative clause ( προς ους ) with the present tense ( εστιν, is) preserved as is usual. There is a touch of disdain (Furneaux) in the tone of Festus. He may refer to a demand of the Jews before they asked that Paul be brought to Jerusalem (25:3). At any rate there is a tone of scorn towards the Jews.

Before that the accused have ( πριν η ο κατηγορουμενος εχο ). This use of the optative in this temporal clause with πριν η instead of the subjunctive αν εχη is in conformity with literary Greek and occurs only in Luke's writings in the N.T. (Robertson, Grammar, p. 970). This sequence of modes is a mark of the literary style occasionally seen in Luke. It is interesting here to note the succession of dependent clauses in verses 14-16.

The accusers face to face ( κατα προσωπον τους κατηγορους ). Same word κατηγορος as in 23:30, 35; 25:18. This all sounds fair enough.

And have had opportunity to make his defence concerning the matter laid against him ( τοπον τε απολογιας λαβο περ του εγκληματος ). Literally, "And should receive ( λαβο optative for same reason as εχο above, second aorist active of λαμβανω ) opportunity for defence (objective genitive) concerning the charge" ( εγκληματος in N.T. only here and 23:19 which see).