Acts 26:31Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now Paul was going to Rome more gloriously than if he had been free from chains. After so many judges had recognized his innocence, he was going no longer as a deceiver and sorcerer.

Thus, after revealing everything, where he was born and how he was raised, he goes to Rome not simply, but already clean from every suspicion.

He did not say: What is this? I have already transferred the case to Caesar, and I am judged so many times. How long will this go on?

But what did he do? He was again ready to give an answer even before one who knew the affairs of the Jews in the best way.

Neither Festus nor Agrippa found Paul guilty. But since Paul himself had appealed his case to Rome, they decided to send him there with other prisoners. Luke and Aristarchus went with him (Acts 27:2).

To Festus, this inspired speech of the Apostle seems the product of fantasy and madness. Yet it makes such an impression on Agrippa that it almost persuades him to become a Christian. As for the question of Paul’s guilt, the judges drew from his speech the conviction that he was completely innocent. Therefore he could have been released, had he not himself demanded Caesar’s judgment.

But it was useless to continue this spectacle. Curiosity had now been sufficiently satisfied, and now, more than ever, it became clear that Paul the prisoner might be considered a dreamy enthusiast or an ecstatic fanatic.

Yet he was in no way a criminal offender. The king, rising from his seat, gave the signal to end the session.

When the noble assembly began to disperse, remarks were heard from every side that Paul deserved neither death nor even imprisonment.

Agrippa's decision was entirely in favor of his acquittal. "This man," he said to Festus, "could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar." The decision of that day saved the Apostle Paul's life for several more years.

“Having withdrawn.” The Greek word more likely denotes withdrawal into another room than stepping aside in the same room. After going out, they spoke among themselves. That is, they unanimously expressed the opinion that, if Paul acted according to the religious principles he professed, he was doing nothing worthy of death or even of chains. The present tense is used to denote all Paul’s activity, past as well.

The session was interrupted because Agrippa could no longer endure what the Apostle was producing in his soul. The king rose, and after him the others rose.

They began to share aloud their thoughts about Paul's guilt, and all unanimously said that there was nothing in him worthy not only of death, but even of chains.

Agrippa added that he could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar. Therefore it was decided to send Paul to Caesar.

"Now Paul goes to Rome more gloriously than if he had been free from chains. For after so many judges had recognized his innocence, he goes no longer as one accused of rebellion and impiety.

Thus, after revealing everything, where he was born and how he was raised, he goes to Rome not simply, but already clean from every suspicion.