Chapter 41—“Almost Thou Persuadest Me”
This chapter is based on
25:13-27
;
26
.
Paul had appealed to Caesar, and Festus could not do otherwise
than send him to Rome. But some time passed before a suitable ship
could be found; and as other prisoners were to be sent with Paul, the
consideration of their cases also occasioned delay. This gave Paul
opportunity to present the reasons of his faith before the principal men
of Caesarea, and also before King Agrippa II, the last of the Herods.
“After certain days King Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea
to salute Festus. And when they had been there many days, Festus
declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man
left in bonds by Felix: about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the
chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have
judgment against him.” He outlined the circumstances that led to the
prisoner’s appeal to Caesar, telling of Paul’s recent trial before him,
and saying that the Jews had brought against Paul no accusation such
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as he had supposed they would bring, but “certain questions ... of
their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul
affirmed to be alive.”
As Festus told his story, Agrippa became interested and said, “I
would also hear the man myself.” In harmony with his wish, a meet-
ing was arranged for the following day. “And on the morrow, when
Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered
into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of
the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.”
In honor of his visitors, Festus had sought to make this an occasion
of imposing display. The rich robes of the procurator and his guests, the
swords of the soldiers, and the gleaming armor of their commanders,
lent brilliancy to the scene.
And now Paul, still manacled, stood before the assembled company.
What a contrast was here presented! Agrippa and Bernice possessed
power and position, and because of this they were favored by the world.
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