भाष्य सध्या फक्त इंग्रजीत उपलब्ध आहे. मराठी भाषांतर प्रगतीपथावर आहे.
Acts 25 — I Appeal Unto Caesar
Festus, succeeding Felix, hears the Jews' grievances at Jerusalem; they ask him to bring Paul up — planning ambush. Festus refuses, holds the trial at Caesarea. Paul defends himself; Festus, willing to please the Jews, asks if he will go to Jerusalem. I appeal unto Caesar. King Agrippa and Bernice come to Caesarea; Festus rehearses the case to them. Agrippa wishes to hear the man.
“For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.”
— Acts 25:11
- v.1-12 Festus and the appeal to Caesar
- v.13-22 Agrippa and Bernice arrive
- v.23-27 Paul presented before the kings
I refuse not to die. The Christian innocent of charges accepts the verdict if a fair court reaches it; what he refuses is to be handed over for assassination dressed up as justice.
I appeal unto Caesar. The Roman citizen's right, and the Lord's promised route to Rome (Acts 23:11). The appeal is both legal strategy and divine fulfillment. Paul takes the lawful way; Christ uses it to deliver him.
Verse 11 sets a useful distinction. Paul did not flee the courts; he engaged them. Christians who suffer injustice are not obliged to passively accept assassination dressed as procedure; lawful appeal is a Christian's right. Use the law to seek truth and protection where you can; suffer cheerfully where you cannot. The line between fight and yield runs through the conscience and the providence of God.
The appeal to Caesar is Paul's legal act and Christ's providential one. The Lord had said thou must bear witness also at Rome (23:11); the appeal to Caesar opens the route. The chapter shows Christ at work behind the bureaucratic motions of Festus and Agrippa, moving His apostle inexorably to the imperial capital — not by escape, but by appeal, on the Roman roads at Roman expense.
Paul lists the three categories of charge and denies them all. The case against him has no substance; the prosecution lives on rumor and animus. The faithful Christian falsely accused has Paul before him.
Note the order — the law of the Jews... the temple... Caesar. He is innocent of religious offense and of political subversion. The gospel does not require lawbreaking, despite the slander to that effect.