25:7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which {a} they could not prove.

(a) They could not prove them certainly and without undoubted reasons.

25:7 When he was come. When Festus had returned to Caesarea.

The Jews... laid many and grievous complaints against Paul. From the substance of Paul's reply (Ac 25:8), it is easy to determine that these charges were about the same as before Felix, viz.: (1) Teaching a new and illegal religion (Ac 24:6); (2) profaning the temple (Ac 24:6); (3) sedition (Ac 24:5), or offending against Caesar, charges that they could not sustain. It is evident from Ac 25:19 that particular stress was laid upon the fact that he was a ringleader of the Nazarenes (Ac 24:5).

25:7 Bringing many accusations - When many accusations are heaped together, frequently not one of them is true.

25:1-12 See how restless malice is. Persecutors deem it a peculiar favour to have their malice gratified. Preaching Christ, the end of the law, was no offence against the law. In suffering times the prudence of the Lord's people is tried, as well as their patience; they need wisdom. It becomes those who are innocent, to insist upon their innocence. Paul was willing to abide by the rules of the law, and to let that take its course. If he deserved death, he would accept the punishment. But if none of the things whereof they accused him were true, no man could deliver him unto them, with justice. Paul is neither released nor condemned. It is an instance of the slow steps which Providence takes; by which we are often made ashamed, both of our hopes and of our fears, and are kept waiting on God.



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