Illustrated New TestamentActs 25

Into Felix's room; as his successor in the government.

Laying wait; designing to employ men to lie in wait.

I stand, &c.; meaning that, as a Roman citizen, be was entitled to trial before Roman tribunals.

Unto them; unto the Jews.

Agrippa; called in history Agrippa the younger, the son of the Herod Agrippa who put James to death. (Acts 12:1, 2.) When his father died, he was too young to succeed him, and accordingly a succession of officers, called in this history governors, were sent from Rome to administer the affairs of Judea. Agrippa had now arrived at maturity, and had been invested with the government of some countries north of Judea. Bernice was Agrippa's sister, living with him, however, as his wife.

Superstition; religion. The word here, as in Acts 17:22, is used in a good sense; as Felix, speaking to Agrippa, who was himself a Jew would not characterize the Jewish faith by an opprobrious term.

Augustus—Cesar. Both these names were applied to the Roman emperors.

With great pomp. This was in the same city where his father had incurred a miserable destruction as a punishment for pride.

Wherefore I have brought him forth, &c. This was a false statement, made for effect on the assembly. The true reason for this second public arraignment was to gratify Agrippa's curiosity and love of parade.