And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Paul, you are out of your mind! - "Festus, a Roman, simply could not comprehend Paul's line of thought and language, particularly about the idea of resurrection (v. 23). Agrippa, a Jew, had no such semantic problems." (Ryrie)
your great learning is driving you out of your mind - "The translation: 'much learning doth make thee mad,' is doubtless further responsible for misconceptions about Festus' character. The Greek word 'gramma' simply means 'writings' and is twice used of the Holy Scriptures (John 5:47; 2 Tim 3:15). Surely a man of Festus' character and position would not object to learning. It was evidently to the 'writings' which Paul held so dear, that Festus referred. These Paul quoted fluently; these he cited as final authority on many a question, and these he had doubtless been studying diligently during his two years' confinement at Caesarea, especially in connection with the further revelations he had received from the glorified Lord." (Stam)
I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. - "This combination of firm protest with courtesy is characteristic of Paul. He treats Festus with deference, yet firmness, as a strong man might treat a weak opponent, and proceeds to demonstrate to him that his deep earnestness comes, not from madness, but from 'truth and soberness.' (The Greek sophroneo indicates 'soundness of mind' - See Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35; 2 Cor 5:13)." (Stam)
For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. - "In an adroit use of adverse circumstance, the apostle explains to Festus that King Agrippa knows about these things; that he can speak freely before him, and that he is convinced that the details of his account have not been 'hidden' from him, since they were not done 'in a corner.' Unquestionably Paul was correct in this, for Agrippa had not only been brought up in the Jewish religion, but had long been intimately associated with Israel politically. Surely, then, the conversion of Saul, the persecutor, to Christ and the apostle's widespread ministry and the phenomenal spread of the gospel could not have been unknown to him." (Stam)
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe. - "Paul's question placed Agrippa on the horns of a dilemma. If he said yes, then he would have to acknowledge Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecies. To say no would have put him at odds with the Jews." (Ryrie)
"To have waited for an answer would, under such circumstances, have been improper as well as foolish. He, not Agrippa, had been called for a hearing, and to put the king in an embarrassing position would only have angered him. Thus, tactfully, the apostle immediately answers his own question. He knows King Agrippa believes the Old Testament writings—and surely Festus would not call Agrippa mad! Nor could Agrippa, in his position, deny this and accept Festus' opinion of the sacred Scriptures. Thus with superb tact the apostle appeals to Agrippa himself and uses him as his witness, at the same time driving home the truth of his argument." (Stam)
In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian? - "This enigmatic statement may mean, 'In such a short time are you trying to make a Christian of me?' or, 'With so few words you are persuading me to be a Christ.'" (Ryrie)
"That the words 'en oligo,' here, do have the sense of 'almost,' and that he meant, either in sarcasm, or in greater or less sincerity: 'Almost you persuade me to become a Christian' ... Whatever the degree of Agrippa's sincerity in the matter, Paul was quick to take advantage of the situation. Revealing his burden of heart, not only for Agrippa, but for Festus, Bernice and all those present, he replied with great feeling: 'I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am , except these bonds' (Ver. 29). What a truly great servant of God the apostle was! How deeply in earnest: 'I would to God.' How large-hearted: 'not only thou, but also all that hear me this day.' How self-effacing: He is in chains, but longs for their salvation. How triumphant: 'I wish you could be as I am.' How powerful his plea: 'Almost' is not enough. It must be 'altogether.' And the most exquisite touch of Christian courtesy and grace is found in his words: 'except these bonds.' He had suffered much for Christ, but he wished none of that for them. He wished them to know only the peace and assurance and joy in his heart." (Stam)
This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar. - "Thus Festus's acknowledgement Paul was innocent from the point of view of Roman law (Acts 25:25) is confirmed by the decision of Agrippa, speaking from the Jewish point of view. The appeal to Caesar, however, had taken the matter out of local jurisdiction. Possibly, Agrippa's opinion influenced the terms of the letter which Festus drafted to Rome about Paul's case." (Walker)
Paul, you are out of your mind! - "Festus, a Roman, simply could not comprehend Paul's line of thought and language, particularly about the idea of resurrection (v. 23). Agrippa, a Jew, had no such semantic problems." (Ryrie)
your great learning is driving you out of your mind - "The translation: 'much learning doth make thee mad,' is doubtless further responsible for misconceptions about Festus' character. The Greek word 'gramma' simply means 'writings' and is twice used of the Holy Scriptures (John 5:47; 2 Tim 3:15). Surely a man of Festus' character and position would not object to learning. It was evidently to the 'writings' which Paul held so dear, that Festus referred. These Paul quoted fluently; these he cited as final authority on many a question, and these he had doubtless been studying diligently during his two years' confinement at Caesarea, especially in connection with the further revelations he had received from the glorified Lord." (Stam)
I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. - "This combination of firm protest with courtesy is characteristic of Paul. He treats Festus with deference, yet firmness, as a strong man might treat a weak opponent, and proceeds to demonstrate to him that his deep earnestness comes, not from madness, but from 'truth and soberness.' (The Greek sophroneo indicates 'soundness of mind' - See Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35; 2 Cor 5:13)." (Stam)
For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. - "In an adroit use of adverse circumstance, the apostle explains to Festus that King Agrippa knows about these things; that he can speak freely before him, and that he is convinced that the details of his account have not been 'hidden' from him, since they were not done 'in a corner.' Unquestionably Paul was correct in this, for Agrippa had not only been brought up in the Jewish religion, but had long been intimately associated with Israel politically. Surely, then, the conversion of Saul, the persecutor, to Christ and the apostle's widespread ministry and the phenomenal spread of the gospel could not have been unknown to him." (Stam)
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe. - "Paul's question placed Agrippa on the horns of a dilemma. If he said yes, then he would have to acknowledge Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecies. To say no would have put him at odds with the Jews." (Ryrie)
"To have waited for an answer would, under such circumstances, have been improper as well as foolish. He, not Agrippa, had been called for a hearing, and to put the king in an embarrassing position would only have angered him. Thus, tactfully, the apostle immediately answers his own question. He knows King Agrippa believes the Old Testament writings—and surely Festus would not call Agrippa mad! Nor could Agrippa, in his position, deny this and accept Festus' opinion of the sacred Scriptures. Thus with superb tact the apostle appeals to Agrippa himself and uses him as his witness, at the same time driving home the truth of his argument." (Stam)
In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian? - "This enigmatic statement may mean, 'In such a short time are you trying to make a Christian of me?' or, 'With so few words you are persuading me to be a Christ.'" (Ryrie)
"That the words 'en oligo,' here, do have the sense of 'almost,' and that he meant, either in sarcasm, or in greater or less sincerity: 'Almost you persuade me to become a Christian' ... Whatever the degree of Agrippa's sincerity in the matter, Paul was quick to take advantage of the situation. Revealing his burden of heart, not only for Agrippa, but for Festus, Bernice and all those present, he replied with great feeling: 'I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am , except these bonds' (Ver. 29). What a truly great servant of God the apostle was! How deeply in earnest: 'I would to God.' How large-hearted: 'not only thou, but also all that hear me this day.' How self-effacing: He is in chains, but longs for their salvation. How triumphant: 'I wish you could be as I am.' How powerful his plea: 'Almost' is not enough. It must be 'altogether.' And the most exquisite touch of Christian courtesy and grace is found in his words: 'except these bonds.' He had suffered much for Christ, but he wished none of that for them. He wished them to know only the peace and assurance and joy in his heart." (Stam)
This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar. - "Thus Festus's acknowledgement Paul was innocent from the point of view of Roman law (Acts 25:25) is confirmed by the decision of Agrippa, speaking from the Jewish point of view. The appeal to Caesar, however, had taken the matter out of local jurisdiction. Possibly, Agrippa's opinion influenced the terms of the letter which Festus drafted to Rome about Paul's case." (Walker)
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