Act 26:25 | KingComments | STEP | When Paul speaks about the suffering and resurrection of Christ, Festus interrupts him. He believes that Paul has now gone mad and is talking gibberish. How many times over the centuries have Christians been declared mad ( ; ). The Lord has also been scolded for this ( ; ). Festus sees Paul’s speech as the expression of a Jew’s superstition, a dream of a man addicted to reading and studying. The madness is the ecstasy that Festus thinks he perceives in Paul, while he understands nothing of what Paul is saying. Festus has no idea of the content of the words he hears. He resembles Paul’s companions who traveled with him to Damascus, who heard the sound of a voice but did not hear what was said ( ). Paul was not disturbed or insulted by the value judgment of Festus. On the contrary, he sees a new reason for the gospel. Faith does not go against truth and reason. On the contrary, faith bears witness to truth and common sense. He used to be out of his senses ( ), but not anymore (cf. ). By the way, Festus has had his chance. Now Paul speaks to Agrippa who knows about these things. Paul speaks to Festus, but in the presence of Agrippa, expressing the conviction that Agrippa is fully aware of everything that has happened. It did not happen somewhere in a small town in a backward area. It is world news.

‏ Acts 26:25

Interruption by Festus

When Paul speaks about the suffering and resurrection of Christ, Festus interrupts him. He believes that Paul has now gone mad and is talking gibberish. How many times over the centuries have Christians been declared mad (1Cor 4:10; 2Cor 5:13). The Lord has also been scolded for this (Mk 3:20-21; Jn 10:20). Festus sees Paul’s speech as the expression of a Jew’s superstition, a dream of a man addicted to reading and studying.

The madness is the ecstasy that Festus thinks he perceives in Paul, while he understands nothing of what Paul is saying. Festus has no idea of the content of the words he hears. He resembles Paul’s companions who traveled with him to Damascus, who heard the sound of a voice but did not hear what was said (Acts 9:7 ; Acts 22:9).

Paul was not disturbed or insulted by the value judgment of Festus. On the contrary, he sees a new reason for the gospel. Faith does not go against truth and reason. On the contrary, faith bears witness to truth and common sense. He used to be out of his senses (Acts 26:11), but not anymore (cf. Lk 8:35).

By the way, Festus has had his chance. Now Paul speaks to Agrippa who knows about these things. Paul speaks to Festus, but in the presence of Agrippa, expressing the conviction that Agrippa is fully aware of everything that has happened. It did not happen somewhere in a small town in a backward area. It is world news.