1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. (Acts 25:1-5 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
St. Luke here informs us, that Festus being come to the government and going up to Jerusalem, the high priest and rulers of the Jews quickly began to inform him against Paul and beseeched him that he would send for him to Jerusalem, resolving to lay some villains by the way to kill him as he came; but the Divine Providence so overruled the matter, that Festus would not consent to it, but ordered his accusers to come to Cesarea, and implead him there.
Here note, 1. How restless is the rage, and unwearied the malice and enmity, which the persecutors of the truth have against the professors and preachers of it. The high priest, and chief of the Sanhedrin or ecclesiastical court, continue their murderous designs against the innocent apostle; and are sorry they could not get a heathen governor as cruel as themselves to join with them. Heathens have sometimes blushed at the mention of those crimes, which the professors of religion have committed without either shame or remorse.
Note, 2. How deplorably corrupt and degenerate the Jewish church at this time was! Lord, what priests and church governors were here, who call it a favour to have an opportunity granted them to murder an innocent man in cold blood, contrary to the law of nature and nations!
But behold the justice of God upon them; they were now given up to a reprobate sense and are hurried headlong by a diabolical spirit a little before their final destruction. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who killedst the prophets, and stonedst them that were sent unto thee!
Note, 3. What an overruling Providence was here seen, in that Festus, by no flatteries nor persuasions, would win him to remove the apostle from Cesarea to Jerusalem. This broke the high priest’s measures, who designed to have him killed on the way. “No, saith Festus, the prisoner shall not come to you, but you shall go to him.”
This was a marvellous providence for the apostle’s preservation. Oh, how easy is it for the most wise God to baffle and blast the most cunning contrivances of the devil; to befool the enemies of his church and people, by making the counsels of the wicked to be of no effect! God looks and laughs at all the plots of wicked men against the righteous: frustration and disappointment attend all their designs, and perdition and destruction doth awe their persons, He that sitteth in heaven laughs them to scorn, the Lord has them in derision. Ps 2:5