Acts 25:3

KJV

And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And desired {G154} favour {G5485} against {G2596} him {G846}, that {G3704} he would send for {G3343} him {G846} to {G1519} Jerusalem {G2419}, laying {G4160} wait {G1747} in {G2596} the way {G3598} to kill {G337} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

to do them the favor of having the man sent to Yerushalayim. (They had plotted to have him ambushed and killed en route.)

Berean Standard Bible

to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

American Standard Version

asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 25:3 reveals the persistent and malicious intent of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem against the Apostle Paul, immediately following the arrival of the new Roman governor, Porcius Festus. They sought to exploit Festus's initial visit to the capital by requesting Paul's transfer from Caesarea to Jerusalem, ostensibly for a trial, but secretly planning a deadly ambush along the route to assassinate him, thereby eliminating a prominent figure in the burgeoning Christian movement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated early in Acts chapter 25, marking a pivotal moment in Paul's ongoing trials and imprisonment. It follows the two-year detainment of Paul under Governor Felix (Acts 24:27) and the immediate assumption of office by Porcius Festus. Upon Festus's arrival in Caesarea, his provincial capital, he traveled to Jerusalem within three days. It was there that the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews wasted no time in presenting their case against Paul, demonstrating their unwavering animosity. This verse specifically details their cunning and deadly request to Festus, setting the stage for Festus's response in [Acts 25:4-5](/acts/25-4-5 "Acts 25:4-5 - Festus's Response to the Jewish Leaders"). The narrative here directly parallels earlier plots against Paul's life, such as the conspiracy detailed in [Acts 23:12-15](/acts/23-12-15 "Acts 23:12-15 - The Forty-Man Conspiracy Against Paul"), highlighting a recurring theme of opposition.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Judea under Roman rule, with Caesarea Maritima serving as the administrative capital and Jerusalem as the religious and cultural heart. Roman governors, like Festus, typically made an initial visit to Jerusalem to establish relations with the local Jewish authorities and understand the political landscape. The Jewish leaders, particularly the Sanhedrin and chief priests, held significant local power but operated under Roman oversight. Their desire to have Paul tried in Jerusalem stemmed from a combination of religious zeal, political expediency, and deep-seated animosity towards Christianity, which they viewed as a dangerous sect. Road travel between Caesarea and Jerusalem was common but also vulnerable to banditry or planned ambushes, making the Jewish leaders' plot both plausible and treacherous. This period was marked by simmering tensions between Jewish factions and Roman authorities, and the Jewish leaders sought to leverage Roman power to achieve their religious and political aims against perceived threats.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 25:3 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **persistent and virulent opposition** faced by the early church and its apostles, particularly Paul. The Jewish leaders' relentless pursuit of Paul, even resorting to murder plots, illustrates the spiritual blindness and hardened hearts of those who rejected the Gospel. Secondly, the verse highlights **God's sovereign protection and providential guidance** over His servants. Despite the grave danger Paul faced, God consistently intervened, often through unexpected means (like Festus's refusal to transfer Paul, as seen in [Acts 25:4](/acts/25-4 "Acts 25:4 - Festus's Decision")), to ensure His purposes for Paul's ministry were fulfilled, ultimately leading him to Rome as prophesied in [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Assurance to Paul"). Lastly, it exemplifies the **nature of persecution** that believers would endure for the sake of the Gospel, a theme prevalent throughout [the book of Acts](/acts "The Book of Acts - The Early Church and the Spread of the Gospel") and echoed in Jesus's own warnings to His disciples in passages like [Matthew 10:16-25](/matthew/10-16-25 "Matthew 10:16-25 - Warnings of Persecution").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **desired (Greek, _aitéō'_):** From G154, meaning "to ask (in genitive case); ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require." In this context, the Jewish leaders' "desire" was not a humble request but a demanding "craving" or "requirement" for a specific outcome, revealing their manipulative intent behind the facade of seeking "favour."
* **favour (Greek, _cháris'_):** From G5485, meaning "graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude); acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(-ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy)." Here, the Jewish leaders were seeking a "benefit" or "gracious act" from Festus, portraying their request as a matter of administrative courtesy, while concealing their true, murderous "pleasure" in the anticipated outcome.
* **laying wait (Greek, _enédra'_):** From G1747, meaning "an ambuscade, i.e. (figuratively) murderous purpose; lay wait." This word precisely describes a premeditated, hidden plan to attack. It signifies a deliberate and treacherous conspiracy, emphasizing that their intention was not a spontaneous act of violence but a carefully orchestrated assassination plot.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And desired favour against him":** The Jewish leaders, specifically the chief priests and principal men, approached Governor Festus with a request concerning Paul. This "favour" was a calculated political maneuver, designed to gain the new governor's goodwill and cooperation, while simultaneously advancing their agenda against Paul. The phrase "against him" immediately signals their adversarial stance.
* **"that he would send for him to Jerusalem":** This was the specific "favour" they sought: to have Paul transferred from Caesarea, where he was imprisoned, to Jerusalem. On the surface, this might appear as a request for a more convenient or traditional venue for a Jewish trial, appealing to Festus's desire to understand local customs and appease the powerful religious elite.
* **"laying wait in the way to kill him":** This final clause exposes the true, sinister motive behind their seemingly innocuous request. The transfer to Jerusalem was merely a pretext for an ambush. "Laying wait" (enédra) denotes a carefully planned and concealed attack, revealing their murderous intent. They intended to intercept Paul's escort en route and assassinate him, thereby circumventing any formal legal process and ensuring his death.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Irony** and **Foreshadowing**. The irony lies in the Jewish leaders' request for "favour" (cháris), a word often associated with grace or goodwill, when their true intent was utterly malicious and murderous. They presented a facade of legitimate legal process while harboring a deadly conspiracy. This stark contrast between appearance and reality underscores their deceitful nature. Furthermore, the phrase "laying wait in the way to kill him" serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the continued dangers Paul will face and the divine interventions necessary for his survival and the fulfillment of God's plan for his ministry. It also echoes earlier attempts on Paul's life, creating a sense of **Repetition** of themes of persecution and divine protection throughout Acts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 25:3 powerfully illustrates the depth of human depravity and the spiritual blindness that can lead to extreme hatred against those who proclaim God's truth. The Jewish leaders, blinded by their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, perceived Paul as a dangerous heretic who threatened their religious traditions and authority. Their willingness to resort to murder, even under the guise of legal process, highlights the profound spiritual battle at play. Yet, this verse also implicitly points to God's unwavering sovereignty. Though evil plots are conceived, God's ultimate plan for His servants and the spread of His Gospel cannot be thwarted by human machinations. He often uses secular authorities, even unknowingly, to protect His people and advance His kingdom purposes, demonstrating His control over all circumstances.

* [Psalm 37:32-33](/psalm/37-32-33 "The Wicked Plot Against the Righteous")
* [Proverbs 1:11-12](/proverbs/1-11-12 "The Danger of Conspiracies")
* [John 16:2-3](/john/16-2-3 "Persecution for Christ's Sake")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 25:3 serves as a stark reminder that following Christ can often invite intense opposition, even from unexpected or seemingly legitimate sources. The Jewish leaders' plot was not a spontaneous act of violence but a calculated, premeditated conspiracy, cloaked in a request for "favour." This teaches us to be discerning, recognizing that not all requests or proposals, even from those in authority or religious positions, are benign. We must look beyond the surface and prayerfully consider the underlying motives and potential dangers. For believers, this verse offers profound encouragement: even when facing grave threats or cunning adversaries, God remains sovereign. His purposes for our lives and ministries will prevail, and He will provide protection and deliverance according to His perfect will. Our call is to remain faithful, courageous, and vigilant, trusting that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion, regardless of the opposition we encounter.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Jewish leaders' "desire for favour" in this verse challenge my own assumptions about sincerity and hidden motives in interactions, both within and outside the church?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be facing subtle or overt opposition to my faith, and how can I discern God's hand of protection and guidance in those circumstances?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty when faced with situations that seem beyond my control or are designed to harm me?**

### FAQ
**Why were the Jewish leaders so determined to kill Paul, even resorting to an ambush?**

Answer: The Jewish leaders viewed Paul as a dangerous apostate and a threat to their religious traditions and authority. His preaching that Jesus was the Messiah, the abrogation of the Mosaic Law for salvation, and his mission to the Gentiles were seen as blasphemous and subversive. They believed he was polluting the temple and leading Jews astray. Their determination to kill him stemmed from a deep-seated religious zeal and a conviction that eliminating Paul was necessary to preserve their faith and way of life. This animosity had been building for years, as evidenced by previous plots against Paul's life, such as the vow by over forty men in [Acts 23:12-15](/acts/23-12-15 "Acts 23:12-15 - The Conspiracy to Kill Paul"). They were so consumed by their hatred that they were willing to bypass legal process and resort to murder to achieve their objective.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 25:3, though detailing a plot against Paul, ultimately points to the greater narrative of Christ's triumph over evil and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The relentless hatred directed at Paul, a faithful servant, mirrors the intense opposition and murderous intent that Jesus Himself faced from the religious authorities of His day, leading to His crucifixion (e.g., [John 11:47-53](/john/11-47-53 "John 11:47-53 - The Plot to Kill Jesus")). Just as Paul's life was providentially preserved for the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles and ultimately to Rome, so too was Christ's life preserved until His appointed time, culminating in His voluntary sacrifice as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The "laying wait" to kill Paul foreshadows the ultimate ambush of death that Christ conquered through His resurrection, securing victory not just for Himself, but for all who believe (e.g., [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Thus, this verse, in its portrayal of human malice thwarted by divine purpose, serves as a powerful reminder that no earthly plot or power can ultimately overcome the sovereign will of God, whose ultimate purpose is revealed and fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the [Lord of all](/acts/10-36 "Acts 10:36 - Jesus is Lord of All").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 9:24

But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

Acts 23:12

¶ And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

Acts 23:15

Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

Romans 3:8

And not [rather], (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Luke 23:8

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long [season], because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.

Luke 23:24

And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

Psalms 140:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man;