Acts 25:19

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

But {G1161} had {G2192} certain {G5100} questions {G2213} against {G4314} him {G846} of {G4012} their own {G2398} superstition {G1175}, and {G2532} of {G4012} one {G5100} Jesus {G2424}, which was dead {G2348}, whom {G3739} Paul {G3972} affirmed {G5335} to be alive {G2198}.

they disputed with him about certain points of their own religion, and particularly about somebody called Yeshua, who had died, but who Sha’ul claimed was alive.

They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Commentary

Acts 25:19 captures a pivotal moment in the trial of the Apostle Paul, as the Roman governor Festus attempts to explain the charges against Paul to King Agrippa II and Bernice. This verse highlights the profound misunderstanding and dismissal of the core Christian message by Roman authorities, particularly concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse is part of Festus's explanation to King Agrippa and Bernice about the unusual case of Paul, a Jewish prisoner he inherited from his predecessor, Felix. Festus, having heard the accusations from the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and Caesarea, found the charges perplexing from a Roman legal standpoint. Unlike typical criminal accusations, the dispute revolved around religious matters, specifically a disagreement about a deceased individual whom Paul asserted was alive. Festus was seeking Agrippa's expertise, as Agrippa was well-versed in Jewish customs and law, to help him formulate a charge to send to Caesar in Rome.

Key Themes

  • The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: At the heart of the "questions" was Paul's unwavering declaration that Jesus, who had been crucified, was now alive. This was the central tenet of Paul's preaching and the foundation of the early Christian faith. For the Jewish accusers, it was a blasphemous claim, while for the Roman authorities, it was an incomprehensible religious dispute.
  • Clash of Worldviews: The verse vividly illustrates the clash between the Roman legal and political system, which was concerned with maintaining public order and Roman law, and the deeply spiritual and theological concerns of the Jewish people and the nascent Christian movement. Festus dismisses the Jewish concerns as "their own superstition," indicating his inability to grasp the profound significance of the resurrection claim.
  • Paul's Steadfast Witness: Despite being on trial and facing potential death, Paul consistently proclaimed the resurrection. This verse shows his unwavering commitment to the truth of the Gospel, even when it was met with incredulity or hostility. His defense before Festus and Agrippa, detailed in Acts 26, further emphasizes this core message.

Linguistic Insight

The term "superstition" (Greek: deisidaimonia) used by Festus to describe the Jewish religion is significant. While it can sometimes carry a negative connotation of excessive fear of deities or irrational religious practices, it could also be used more neutrally to refer to foreign religious beliefs or customs. Festus likely used it to express his bewilderment at a religious dispute that seemed trivial to Roman law, rather than a direct insult. It underscores the Roman difficulty in understanding the nature of Jewish faith and, by extension, the radical claims of Christianity.

Significance and Application

Acts 25:19 reminds us that the resurrection of Jesus is not a peripheral doctrine but the central, non-negotiable truth of Christianity. It was the point of contention in Paul's day, and it remains the defining factor of Christian faith. For believers today, this verse encourages:

  • Bold Witness: Like Paul, we are called to stand firm in proclaiming the truth of Jesus' resurrection, even when it is misunderstood or dismissed by the world.
  • Understanding Spiritual Conflict: It highlights that the most significant battles are often spiritual, concerning fundamental truths about life, death, and eternity, rather than merely legal or political matters.
  • The Power of the Gospel: The fact that a "dead" man is "alive" is the ultimate demonstration of God's power and the hope offered through Christ. This truth, though perplexing to some, remains the power of God unto salvation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 23:29

    Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

  • Acts 18:15

    But if it be a question of words and names, and [of] your law, look ye [to it]; for I will be no judge of such [matters].

  • 1 Corinthians 15:3

    For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

  • 1 Corinthians 15:4

    And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

  • Acts 18:19

    And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

  • Acts 1:22

    Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

  • Acts 17:31

    Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by [that] man whom he hath ordained; [whereof] he hath given assurance unto all [men], in that he hath raised him from the dead.
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