Caesar Nero.

The council of a Roman province, composed of the councilors or assessors chosen by the governor of the province, with whom the governor usually consulted concerning an appeal like Paul's.

For his defense Paul wanted to appeal to Caesar (see note Acts 22:1^2b and note Acts 26:32²). This would allow him to fulfill his desire to see Rome for the furtherance of the Lord's testimony (Acts 19:21) and was according to the Lord's indication to him (Acts 23:11). Without this appeal he would have been killed by the Jews who plotted against him (cf. Acts 23:12-15; 25:1-3, 9) and would not have been able to write his last eight Epistles. Before his appeal to Rome, he had written only six Epistles: 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Galatians, Romans, and 1 and 2 Corinthians. During his first imprisonment in Rome he wrote Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Philemon. After that imprisonment he wrote 1 Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews. Then, during his second imprisonment he wrote 2 Timothy. Without these last eight Epistles, what a lack the divine revelation would have and what a loss the church would have suffered! His appeal did render great profit and benefit to the Lord's interest.

This exposed the corruption of another Roman politician. See note Acts 23:1^3b and note Acts 24:27³.

See note Acts 22:1^2b.

Or, out of place, amiss.

Lit., powerful.

Herod Agrippa II, who reigned over the region north and east of Galilee, a Jew by religion, the son of the Herod in ch. 12.

This was the sovereignty of the Lord.

Plural, referring to the commanders and prominent men who were present (v. 23).

The sister of Drusilla, Felix's wife (Acts 24:24). She was also a sister of Agrippa, with whom she lived incestuously. This again showed the corruption of the politicians in the circle of Roman politics. See note Acts 23:1^3b.

See note Acts 17:22².

Or, being perplexed; i.e., not knowing what to do.

Lit., the Augustus; a title of the Roman emperor. So also in v. 25.

See note Acts 21:31^1b.