And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
The verse records the Jewish leaders asking Festus for the favor of having Paul brought from Caesarea to Jerusalem for trial. They made the request under the appearance and pretense of seeking a favor, seeking to use the governor's authority to obtain custody of the prisoner. Behind that lawful request they secretly concealed a plot to ambush and kill him on the way, to take his life before the case could be decided.
Their hatred and determination to take Paul's life persisted despite his long imprisonment, and their efforts against him continued without relenting. In that continued enmity they sought Festus's favor as the means to carry out murderous designs against Paul. Those designs were supported by the influence of Nero's wife, a Jewish proselyte, who used her position on their behalf.
Festus refused the request, insisting that Paul be tried at Caesarea and given a fair hearing. By that refusal God's providence protected Paul's life from the planned ambush. Paul's imprisonment and facing of impending death in this setting stand as an example of faithfulness to God's word in the face of human power and evil policy.
The verse records the Jewish leaders asking Festus for the favor of having Paul brought from Caesarea to Jerusalem for trial. They made the request under the appearance and pretense of seeking a favor, seeking to use the governor's authority to obtain custody of the prisoner. Behind that lawful request they secretly concealed a plot to ambush and kill him on the way, to take his life before the case could be decided.
Their hatred and determination to take Paul's life persisted despite his long imprisonment, and their efforts against him continued without relenting. In that continued enmity they sought Festus's favor as the means to carry out murderous designs against Paul. Those designs were supported by the influence of Nero's wife, a Jewish proselyte, who used her position on their behalf.
Festus refused the request, insisting that Paul be tried at Caesarea and given a fair hearing. By that refusal God's providence protected Paul's life from the planned ambush. Paul's imprisonment and facing of impending death in this setting stand as an example of faithfulness to God's word in the face of human power and evil policy.