Acts 25:16
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I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
to deliver any man to die--On the word "deliver up," see on Act 25:11.
Open source ↗Some think that Felix was turned out, and Festus succeeded him, quickly after Paul's imprisonment, and that the two years mentioned in the close of the foregoing chapter are to be reckoned from the beginning of Nero's reign; but it seems more natural to compute them from Paul's being delivered into the hands of Felix. However, we have here much the same management of Paul's case as we had in the foregoing chapter; cognizance is here taken of it, I. By Festus the governor; it is brought before him by the Jews (Act 25:1-3). The hearing of it is appointed to be, not at Jerusalem, as the Jews desired, out at Caesarea (Act 25:4-6). The Jews appear against Paul and accuse him (Act 25:7), but he stands upon his own innocency (Act 25:8); and to avoid the removing of the cause to Jerusalem, to which he was pressed to consent, he at length appeals to Caesar (Act 25:9-12). II. By king Agrippa, to whom Festus relates his case (Act 25:13-21), and Agrippa desires he might have the hearing of it himself (Act 25:22). The court is accordingly set, and Paul brought to the bar (Act 25:23), and Festus opens the cause (Act 25:24-27), to introduce Paul's defence in the next chapter.
Open source ↗25:16 It was a fundamental principle: Roman law did not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves (cp. 19:38-39). This put Roman judicial procedure in a favorable light for readers of Acts.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?”
When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also instructed his accusers to present their case against him before you.
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel,
Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:
He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him.