The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 252

Vere. 13-27.-Worldly iudgm,ent on religioUll matter,, I. ITS BROl\T-BIGHTBDNEBB. It sees no further than the principles of civil right (vers. 13-18), Herod Agrippa II. hsd come to pny his greetir.g to the new procure.tor (see Josephus,• Life,'§ 11; e.nd 'Dell. Jud.,' ii. 1). It was only after Agrippa he.d arrived some days, that Festus seized the opportunity of bringing the matter before him, probably hoping, from his acquaintance with Jewish affairs, that be would help him to a decision concerning Paul. Festus states the rule of equity, the Roman custom of impartiality (ver. 16), He makes a para,le of justice, but his secret feelings are hardly in harmony with his pro• fession. lie wanted to be popular with the Jews (ver. 9), e.nd was only withheld by Pe.ul's appeal to Cresar from sending him to Jerusalem. Festus would trim his sails to the wind. He is worldly in purpose, but would act on plausible grounds and render the show of the forms of justice. II. ITS CONTEMPTUOUS ATTITUDB TOWARDS RELIGION. (Vers. 19-21.) The word used by him is literally," fear of divinity," not necessarily conveying the contemptuous sense of "superstition." But his whole tone is that of contempt: "Concerning one Jesus, who had died, whom Paul said was living." He looks upon the turning-point of Paul's preaching and of his contest with the Jews as a trifling matter, unworthy the serious consideration of educateci men. And yet-apart from mere personal opinion- how much in the history of the world has turned upon this question I .Agrippa's family had had much to do with "this Jesus," and the mention of his Name is like a renewed solicitation to the bea.rt of the king. Festus's bee.ring is that of a man who rather prides himself upon superiority to all religiou11 and ecclesiastical matters; .and perhaps no wonder, considering the mixture of religions in the Roman world of the time. ill ITS IDLE CURIOSITY. This is represented. by the bearing of Agrippa (ver. 22). He would like to listen to this remarkable prisoner, and his story and confession of faith. And, perhaps, there was something more than curiosity-a gleam of higher interest, a presentiment of the truth. 'I'he next day Agrippa and his sister enter the audieI1.oe- cha.mber of Festus with great pomp, which is soon to pa.le before the simple majesty of ~e Divine \\rord and its messenger. IV. Ixs w.A.lIT OF INTELLlGElil'CE OF THE SPIDITUAL CRABACTER. "Behold the man I" (ver. 24; comp. John xix. 5). Brought before Agrippa, as Pilate had sent Jesus to Herod (Luke xxiii. 7). It justly seems to the statesman unreasonable to send a prisoner without st.ating the charges against him (ver. 27). But statesmanship got the better of fairness in the case of Pila.te (Matt. xxiii. 3). Unless rulers take care to make them- selves fully acquainted with the facts, the show of fairness goes for nothing. How can a man without sympathy for conscientious convictions in religion,judge justly of a man who profeSlie;; them ? Here, then, worldly judgment is called to pronounce on facts which resist the judgment of the world. '!'he hall at Ca:>sarea is the scene of pompous worldly dis.play, soon to be converted into the ple.oe of bearing of holy doctrine, and a judgment-aeat of the Divine majesty.-J. Vera.1-12.-The way opened t,o Ro'TTIIJ. L A WAY WRICH IUD TO BE,OUT THROUGH J EWlSR Cll.il'T ilD llALIOE on the one band, and RoH.AN INDIFFEBENOE AND AVA.RICE on the other. Festiu: a. true heathen. ignorant, worldly, ready to use power for self- aggrandizement, he.ting the provincial strifes. The Jews: inveterate haters, keeping up their spite for two yea.rsi subtle-minded plotters, using Festus's visit to Jerusalem to get Paul into their power; absolutely unprincipled and false, ready to perjure themselves; and shameless 1n their fana.ticism. • II. l'BOVIDEliTli.L INTEBPOSrl'lOII 'JX> BEXOVE OBBTAOLEB. Festus desired to remain but a short time in Jerusalem. Felix had probably left information which induced him to be cautious in dealing .with Paul Roman pride was roused by the transparent l,ypocris.1 of the Jews. A rebllff -~f the Jewish leaders at the onset might be of service in rulliig the pro\'1.IMlll, CB, XXV, 1--27,] THE AOTB OF THE APOSTLES. 269