6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. 8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. (Acts 25:6-8 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. The equity and justice of Festus, a heathen judge, in his proceedings at St. Paul’s trial: he will have the high priest and elders that accused him, speak to his face; he will have the matter examined by and before himself. When the malicious bring the innocent to their trial, God will provide a judge for their turn.
Observe, 2. The indictment or charge which the Jews brought against the apostle that he had offended the law, profaned the temple and raised sedition against the Roman government.
Here we find the devil at his own trade; namely, stirring up the rage and malice of the world against the saints of God under the pretence of their being enemies to the state and subverters of civil government.
Observe, 3. That to be loaded with calumnies and reproaches has been the common lot and constant portion of the friends and servants of Christ from the beginning of Christianity; The Jews laid many and grievous things against Paul, which they could not prove.
Reproach has been the reward of religion and righteousness: but St. Paul easily wipes off the several reproaches cast upon him, affirming himself to have been always a religious observer of the law, that he went into the temple upon a religious account, and that he had never taught nor practised any rebellion against Caesar. The servants of Christ are happy in their own innocence, and their adversaries render themselves odious by belying them and laying that to their charge which everyone can disprove.