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Acts 25:3

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Acts 25:3 (KJV) details a malicious plot by Jewish leaders against the Apostle Paul, immediately following the arrival of the new Roman governor, Porcius Festus.

Context of Acts 25:3

Upon Festus's arrival in Caesarea, he traveled to Jerusalem. There, the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews immediately presented their case against Paul, who had been imprisoned for two years under Felix. This verse reveals their cunning and deadly intent. Rather than seeking a fair trial in Caesarea, they "desired favour against him," requesting that Festus would have Paul transferred to Jerusalem. This request was not for legal convenience but was a cover for an assassination attempt, as they were "laying wait in the way to kill him." This illustrates the relentless and desperate animosity of Paul's accusers, a continuation of previous plots against his life, such as the vow made by more than forty men in Acts 23:12.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Persistent Malice: The verse highlights the deep-seated hatred and unwavering determination of Paul's enemies to silence him, even resorting to murder. Their spiritual blindness led them to believe eliminating Paul would solve their perceived problems.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Protection: Despite the dangerous and well-planned ambush, God's providence was at work. Festus, unknowingly, played a role in thwarting their plan by refusing to bring Paul to Jerusalem (as seen in the subsequent verses, Acts 25:4-5), ultimately leading to Paul's appeal to Caesar and journey to Rome, fulfilling God's greater purpose for his ministry.
  • Persecution of Believers: This incident is a stark reminder of the persecution faced by early Christians, and by believers throughout history, for proclaiming the Gospel. Paul himself frequently recounted his sufferings for Christ, as detailed in passages like 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "laying wait" translates the Greek word enedran (ἐνέδραν), which specifically means an "ambush" or "lying in wait." This is not a spontaneous act of violence but a premeditated, organized conspiracy to kill Paul. It emphasizes the deliberate and treacherous nature of their intentions, highlighting the severity of the threat Paul faced.

Practical Application

Acts 25:3 reminds us that opposition to the truth can be fierce and cunning. For believers today, this verse offers several insights:

  • Expect Opposition: Following Christ may bring opposition, sometimes from unexpected sources. We are called to be vigilant and discerning.
  • Trust in God's Protection: Even when facing grave dangers, we can trust in God's overarching plan and His protection, knowing that His purposes for our lives will prevail as long as we are in His will. Just as He protected Paul, He continues to watch over His people, as promised in Psalm 91:11.
  • Discern Hidden Motives: The Jewish leaders presented a request for "favour," but their true intent was deadly. This teaches us to look beyond superficial requests and discern the underlying motives, especially when dealing with those who are hostile to the Gospel.
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 (May 20, 2025) 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 9:24 (3 votes)

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

  • Acts 23:12 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Psalms 140:1 (2 votes)

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