The Pulpit Commentary on Acts 25:23

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

So for and, A.V.; they were for was, A.V.; the principal for principal, A.V.; the command of Festus for Festus' commandment, A.V.;brought in for brought forth, A.V. With great pomp; μετὰ πολλῆς φαντασίας, here only in the New Testament.

In Polybius it means "display," "show," "outward appearance," "impression," "effect," and the like. It is of frequent use among medical writers for the outward appearance of diseases. In Hebrews 12:21 τὸ φανταζόμενον is "the appearance," and φάντασμα is "an appearance," "a phantom."

The place of hearing. The word ἀκροατήριον (from ἀκροάομαι to hear, whence ἀκροάτης, Romans 2:13; James 1:22, James 1:23, James 1:25) occurs only here in the New Testament. It is literally an "audience-hall," and means sometimes a "lecture-room."

Here it is apparently the hall where cases were heard and tried before the procurator or other magistrate. Chief captains ( χιλίαρχοι). Military tribunes, as Acts 21:31, and very frequently in the Acts.

Meyer notes that, as there were five cohorts garrisoned in Caesarea, there would be five chiliarchs, or tribunes. At the command of Festus. These minute touches suggest that St. Luke was most likely in the hall, and saw the "great pomp," and heard Festus give the order lot Paul to be brought.

Brought in ( ἤχθη); see verse 6, note.

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