CHAPTER XXV.

WHAT are the contents of this Chapter ?

1. PAUL'S DEFENCE OF HIMSELF BEFORE FESTUS. 2. HIS APPEAL TO CESAR.

3. HIS EXAMINATION RENEWED BEFORE AGRIPPA.

1. What is the event here mentioned? "Now when Festus was come into the province.” Who was Festus? The newly-appointed governor of the Jews. In whose stead was he appointed? In the stead of Felix. Into what province was Festus come? Into Judea. Where did the governors of Judea reside? At Cesarea. Did Festus settle down at once in the palace at Cesarea? No;" after three days" spent at Cesarea, “he ascended to Jerusalem." Why is a journey to Jerusalem always represented as ascending or going up? Because Jerusalem was the capital city. For what purpose did Festus go up to the capital? To acquaint himself with the state of public affairs, and to have an interview with the leading Jews.

2. Among other matters brought under the notice of the new governor, what is here specially mentioned? "Then the high-priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him.”

What is meant by "informed him against Paul"? (See Quest. chap. xxiv. 1.) And what are we to understand by their beseeching him? That they begged him to yield to their wishes respecting the prisoner.

3. What was the "favour" which they "desired Festus to grant them "against Paul"? "That he would send for him to Jerusalem." Under what pretence would they have Paul sent for to Jerusalem? Under pretence of his being tried before the Sanhedrim. What was their purpose in making this request? "Laying wait in the way to kill him."

4. Did Festus comply with the wishes of the highpriest and the chief of the Jews? No; he " answered, That Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither." Did Festus refuse their request in order to save Paul from being murdered by the way? No; for he was not aware of the plot formed against his life. Why, then, did Festus determine that the trial should be held at Cesarea? Because the

courts were usually holden at the place where the governor resided; and there did not appear any sufficient reason for bringing Paul up to Jerusalem. But had not the Jews the liberty of trying all questions relating to religion in their own council at Jerusalem? Yes; but Paul, being a Roman citizen, might be tried in the governor's court, and had been sent to Cesarea for that very purpose.

5. What liberty was Festus willing to allow to those Jews who were so anxious to have Paul brought up to Jérusalem? "Let them, therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him." Whom did Festus intend by "them which among you are able"? Those Jews whose rank and station afforded them leisure, and whose learning and talent fitted them to impeach the prisoner. What is it to impeach

any one? To bring a charge against him by public authority.

6. How long did the governor stay at Jerusalem? "More than ten days." Did he then go down to Cesarea? Yes; "and the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, commanded Paul to be brought." Why did Festus proceed without delay to try Paul? Because of the Jews who had come from Jerusalem on purpose to appear against the prisoner.

7. When Paul was brought into court what did those Jews do? They "stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul." Did his accusers prove what they alleged against him? No; "they could not prove" anything to his discredit. Is it right to bring against any one an accusation that cannot be proved? No; we should be slow to accuse, and never do it without cause, or maliciously.

8. Who answered on behalf of the accused? "He answered for himself." How did Paul defend

himself? In the same manly style as when he had been accused before Felix, though with more brevity. What was the substance of his reply? "Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended anything at all." In what light did this cause now appear to Festus? He saw plainly that Paul was innocent. How did he see that so clearly? From Paul's own statement, and from the absence of all proof against him.

9. What ought Festus to have done when he perceived the innocence of Paul? He should have acquitted him.

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Instead of doing that, how did he answer Paul? He said, "Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?" Did Festus think that a person who was innocent at Cesarea could be found guilty before the same tribunal at Jerusalem? No; but he wanted to put off the decision of the cause under colour of indulging the prisoner. dulging the prisoner in what respect? By having him tried at Jerusalem, not before the Sanhedrim, but in the Roman court. Why would it be better for Paul to be tried before the Roman governor than in the Sanhedrim? Because when a man's cause is tried by his enemies he has no prospect of obtaining justice. Was kindness to the prisoner the real motive of this proposal on the part of Festus? No; he was "willing to do the Jews a pleasure." Was that the very course which the Jews had besought him to

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him to have Did Festus know

adopt? Yes; they had entreate
Paul sent up to Jerusalem.

their motive for wishing to have Paul sent up to Jerusalem? He did not know that they meant to murder him by the way; but he knew that they had no friendly design towards him.

10. Was Paul pleased with the proposal that he should go up to be tried at Jerusalem? No; he saw that Festus would give him up rather than incur the displeasure of the Jews. What answer did he give to the governor? He said, "I stand at Cesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged." Whom did Paul call "Cesar"? The

Emperor of Rome. What was the name of the then reigning Emperor of Rome? Nero. Why is he called "Cesar"? That name was given to all the Roman emperors after the time of Julius Cesar. Was Paul actually standing in the presence of Nero? No; but the tribunal at which he stood was "Cesar's judgment-seat," for it was held under the emperor's authority. Did Paul again assert his own innocence? Yes; he added, "To the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest." Were these words ex

pressive of some warmth of feeling? Yes; but not more than the occasion warranted; for Festus was violating the claims of justice and humanity. 11. What more did Paul declare concerning himself? He said, "If I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die." What is observable in this sentiment? The great