SEV Biblia, Chapter 25:19
solamente tenían contra l ciertas cuestiones acerca de su supersticin, y de un cierto Jess, difunto, el cual Pablo afirma que est vivo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 25:19
Verse 19. Questions-of their own superstition] peri thv idiav deididaimoniav; Questions concerning their own religion. Superstition meant something as bad among the Romans as it does among us; and is it likely that Festus, only a procurator, should thus speak to Agrippa, a KING, concerning his own religion? He could not have done so without offering the highest insult. The word deisidaimonia must therefore simply mean religion-the national creed, and the national worship, as I have at large proved it to mean, in the observations at the end of chap. xvii. 34. And of one Jesus, which was dead, &c.] In this way does this poor heathen speak of the death and resurrection of Christ! There are many who profess Christianity that do not appear to be much farther enlightened.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 19. But had certain questions against him of their own superstition , etc.] Or religion; as about their law, which they said Paul had spoke against; and about their temple, which they pretended he had polluted; and about the resurrection of the dead, which he asserted, and some denied: and of one Jesus which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive ; for it seems more was said on each side, than is recorded by Luke: the Jews objected to him among other things, his belief in Jesus of Nazareth, whom they traduced as an impostor and deceiver; Paul on the other hand argued, that he was the true Messiah; and in proof of it, affirmed that though they had put him to death, he was risen from the dead, and so was declared to be the Son of God with power: Festus, it is very likely, had never heard of Jesus before, and therefore speaks of him in this manner; or if he had, he had entertained a contemptible opinion of him, as well as of the Jewish religion; and which he expresses, even in the presence of the king, who had outwardly at least embraced it.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-27 - Agrippa had the government of Galilee. How many unjust and hast judgments the Roman maxim, ver. #(16), condemn! This heathen, guide only by the light of nature, followed law and custom exactly, yet ho many Christians will not follow the rules of truth, justice, an charity, in judging their brethren! The questions about God's worship the way of salvation, and the truths of the gospel, may appear doubtfu and without interest, to worldly men and mere politicians. See ho slightly this Roman speaks of Christ, and of the great controvers between the Jews and the Christians. But the day is at hand when Festu and the whole world will see, that all the concerns of the Roman empir were but trifles and of no consequence, compared with this question of Christ's resurrection. Those who have had means of instruction, an have despised them, will be awfully convinced of their sin and folly Here was a noble assembly brought together to hear the truths of the gospel, though they only meant to gratify their curiosity by attendin to the defence of a prisoner. Many, even now, attend at the places of hearing the word of God with "great pomp," and too often with no bette motive than curiosity. And though ministers do not now stand a prisoners to make a defence for their lives, yet numbers affect to sin in judgment upon them, desirous to make them offenders for a word rather than to learn from them the truth and will of God, for the salvation of their souls But the pomp of this appearance was outshon by the real glory of the poor prisoner at the bar. What was the honou of their fine appearance, compared with that of Paul's wisdom, an grace, and holiness; his courage and constancy in suffering for Christ It is no small mercy to have God clear up our righteousness as the light, and our just dealing as the noon-day; to have nothing certai laid to our charge. And God makes even the enemies of his people to d them right __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
ζητηματα 2213 N-APN δε 1161 CONJ τινα 5100 X-APN περι 4012 PREP της 3588 T-GSF ιδιας 2398 A-GSF δεισιδαιμονιας 1175 N-GSF ειχον 2192 5707 V-IAI-3P προς 4314 PREP αυτον 846 P-ASM και 2532 CONJ περι 4012 PREP τινος 5100 X-GSM ιησου 2424 N-GSM τεθνηκοτος 2348 5761 V-RAP-GSM ον 3739 R-ASM εφασκεν 5335 5707 V-IAI-3S ο 3588 T-NSM παυλος 3972 N-NSM ζην 2198 5721 V-PAN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
19. Superstition (deisidaimoniav). See on ch. xvii. 22. Better, religion, as Rev. As Agrippa was a Jew by religion, Festus would not have insulted him by applying the word superstition to his faith. Note, however, that he speaks of it as their own religion, not identifying Agrippa with them. It was a non-committal expression, since the word meant either religion or superstition according to circumstances. He left Agrippa "to take the word in a good sense, but reserved his own view, which was certainly the Roman one" (Meyer). There is, indeed, a similar tact in Paul's use of the word to the Athenians. He selected "a word which almost imperceptibly shaded off from praise to blame" (Trench). 27 Affirmed (efasken). The imperfect implies something habitual. "Paul kept asserting."
Robertson's NT Word Studies
25:19 {But had} (de eicon). Descriptive imperfect active of ecw and de of contrast (but). {Concerning their own religion} (peri tes idias deisidaimonias). See on 17:22 for discussion of this word. Festus would hardly mean "superstition," whatever he really thought, because Agrippa was a Jew. {And of one Jesus} (kai peri tinos iesou). this is the climax of supercilious scorn toward both Paul and "one Jesus." {Who was dead} (teqnekotos). Perfect active participle of qneskw agreeing with iesou (genitive). As being dead. {Whom Paul affirmed to be alive} (hon efasken ho paulos zein). Imperfect active of faskw, old form of femi to say, in the N.T. only here and #Ac 24:9; Ro 1:22. Infinitive zein in indirect discourse with hon (whom) the accusative of general reference. With all his top-loftical airs Festus has here correctly stated the central point of Paul's preaching about Jesus as no longer dead, but living.
