Acts 25:19

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 25:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Acts 25:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“questions . . . of their own superstition--rather, "religion" (see on Act 17:22). It cannot be supposed that Festus would use the word in any discourteous sense in addressing his Jewish guest. one Jesus--"Thus speaks this miserable Festus of Him to whom every knee shall bow" [BENGEL]. whom Paul affirmed--"kept affirming." to be alive--showing that the resurrection of the Crucified One had been the burden, as usual, of Paul's pleading. The insignificance of the whole affair in the eyes of Festus is manifest.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But had certain questions - Certain inquiries, or litigated and disputed subjects; certain points of dispute in which they differed - ζητήματα τινα zētēmata tina. Of their own superstition - δεισιδαιμονίας deisidaimonias. This word properly denotes “the worship or fear of demons”; but it was applied by the Greeks and Romans to the worship of their gods. It is the same word which is used in Acts 17:22, where it is used in a good sense. See the notes on that place. There are two reasons for thinking that Festus used the word here in a good sense, and not in the sense in which we use the word “superstition”: (1) It was the word by which the worship of the Greeks and Romans, and, therefore,…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But had certain questions - How coldly does he mention the things of the last importance! And about one Jesus - Thus does Festus speak of Him, to whom every knee shall bow! Whom Paul affirmed to be alive - And was this a doubtful question? But why, O Festus, didst thou doubt concerning it? Only because thou didst not search into the evidence of it. Otherwise that evidence might have opened to thee, till it had grown up into full conviction; and thy illustrious prisoner have led thee into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Acts 25:23”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“certain: Act 25:7, Act 18:15, Act 18:19, Act 23:29 superstition: Act 17:22, Act 17:23 which: Act 1:22, Act 2:32, Act 17:31, Act 26:22, Act 26:23; Co1 15:3, Co1 15:4, Co1 15:14-20; Rev 1:18 Acts 25:20”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification