Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 25]
surprise attacks.
25:4 {Howbeit} (\men oun\). No antithesis expressed, though Page
considers \de\ in verse 6 to be one. They probably argued that
it was easier for one man (Paul) to come to Jerusalem than for
many to go down there. But Festus was clearly suspicious (verse
6) and was wholly within his rights to insist that they make
their charges in Caesarea where he held court. {Was kept in
charge} (\t•reisthai\). Present passive infinitive of \t•re•\ in
indirect assertion. \Hoti\ with finite verb is more common after
\apokrinomai\, but the infinitive with the accusative of general
reference is proper as here (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 1036).
{Shortly} (\en tachei\). In quickness, in speed. Old and common
usage, seen already in Lu 18:8; Ac 12:7; 22:18. Festus is
clearly within his rights again since his stay in Caesarea had
been so brief. He did go down in "eight or ten days" (verse 6).
Luke did not consider the matter important enough to be precise.
25:5 {Them therefore which are of power among you} (\hoi oun en
humin dunatoi\). "The mighty ones among you," "the men of power"
(\dunatoi\) and authority, "the first men," the Sanhedrin, in
other words. Note change here by Luke from indirect discourse in
verse 4, to direct in verse 5 (\ph•sin\, says he). {Go down
with me} (\sunkatabantes\). Double compound (\sun, kata\) second
aorist active participle of \sunkatabain•\. It was a fair
proposal. {If there is anything amiss in the man} (\ei ti estin
en t•i andri atopon\). Condition of the first class, assuming
that there is (to be courteous to them), but not committing
himself on the merits of the case. \Atopon\ is an old word,
specially common in Plato, meaning "out of place." In N.T. only
here and Lu 23:41 which see; Ac 28:6; 2Th 3:2. Note present
tense active voice of \kat•goreit•san\ (imperative) of
\kat•gore•\, repeat their accusations.
25:6 {On the morrow} (\t•i epaurion\). Locative case of the
article with \h•mer•i\ understood (\epaurion\, adverb, tomorrow).
Festus lost no time for the chief men had come down with him.
{Sat on the judgment seat} (\kathisas epi tou b•matos\). A legal
formality to give weight to the decision. Ingressive aorist
active participle. For this use of \b•ma\ for judgment seat see
on ¯Mt. 27:19; Joh 19:13; Acts 12:21; 18:12; 25:10,17. Same
phrase repeated in 25:17. {To be brought} (\achth•nai\). First
aorist passive infinitive of \ag•\ after \ekeleusen\ (commanded).
Same words repeated in 25:17 by Festus.
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