Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Acts: Chapter 25]
25:7 {When he was come} (\paragenomenou autou\). Genitive
absolute of common verb \paraginomai\ (cf. 24:24). {Which had
come down} (\hoi katabeb•kotes\). Perfect active participle of
\katabain•\. They had come down on purpose at the invitation of
Festus (verse 5), and were now ready. {Stood round about him}
(\periest•san auton\). Second aorist (ingressive) active
(intransitive) of \periist•mi\, old verb, "Took their stand
around him," "_periculum intentantes_" (Bengel). Cf. Lu 23:10
about Christ. They have no lawyer this time, but they mass their
forces so as to impress Festus. {Bringing against him}
(\katapherontes\). Bearing down on. See on ¯20:9; 26:10, only
N.T. examples of this ancient verb. {Many and grievous charges}
(\polla kai barea aiti•mata\). This word \aiti•ma\ for old form
\aitiama\ is found in one papyrus (Moulton and Milligan's
_Vocabulary_) in sense of "blame." But the charges were no
"heavier" than those made by Tertullus (24:5-8). Paul's reply
proves this and they were also probably on court record
(Furneaux). See this adjective \barus\ (heavy) used with \lukoi\
(wolves) in 20:29. {Which they could not prove} (\ha ouk
ischuon apodeixai\). Imperfect active of \ischu•\, to have
strength or power as in 19:16,20. Repetition and reiteration
and vehemence took the place of proof (\apodeixai\, first aorist
active infinitive of \apodeiknumi\, to show forth, old verb, in
N.T. only here, Ac 2:22 which see and 1Co 4:9).
25:8 {While Paul said in his defence} (\tou Paulou
apologoumenou\). Genitive absolute again, present middle
participle of \apologeomai\, old verb to make defence as in
19:33; 24:10; 26:1,2. The recitative \hoti\ of the Greek before
a direct quotation is not reproduced in English. {Have I sinned
at all} (\ti h•marton\). Constative aorist active indicative of
\hamartan•\, to miss, to sin. The \ti\ is cognate accusative (or
adverbial accusative). Either makes sense. Paul sums up the
charges under the three items of law of the Jews, the temple, the
Roman state (Caesar). This last was the one that would interest
Festus and, if proved, would render Paul guilty of treason
(\majestas\). Nero was Emperor A.D. 54-68, the last of the
emperors with any hereditary claim to the name "Caesar." Soon it
became merely a title like Kaiser and Czar (modern derivatives).
In Acts only "Caesar" and "Augustus" are employed for the
Emperor, not "King" (\Basileus\) as from the time of Domitian.
Paul's denial is complete and no proof had been presented. Luke
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