Acts 25:15
About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
Original Language Analysis
περὶ
About
G4012
περὶ
About
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
οὗ
whom
G3739
οὗ
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 18
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γενομένου
was
G1096
γενομένου
was
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
3 of 18
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
εἰς
at
G1519
εἰς
at
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
5 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἱεροσόλυμα
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσόλυμα
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
6 of 18
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῖς
the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
9 of 18
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πρεσβύτεροι
the elders
G4245
πρεσβύτεροι
the elders
Strong's:
G4245
Word #:
12 of 18
older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατ'
against
G2596
κατ'
against
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
16 of 18
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Historical Context
Festus succeeded Felix as procurator of Judea (c. AD 59-62). This conversation occurs as Festus explains Paul's case to King Agrippa II. The Jewish leaders had ambushed Festus during his first visit to Jerusalem (Acts 25:2-3), attempting to manipulate the new governor before he understood Palestinian politics.
Questions for Reflection
- How does religious authority become corrupted when leaders prioritize institutional preservation over truth and justice?
- When have you seen God's providence using opposition to advance the gospel, as He used these false accusations to bring Paul before Caesar?
Analysis & Commentary
The chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him (κατηγόρησαν αἰτούμενοι κατ᾽ αὐτοῦ καταδίκην)—Festus recounts the Jewish leaders' accusation against Paul. The Greek katēgorēsan (informed/accused) is the root of our word 'category'—they catalogued charges. Katadikēn (judgment/condemnation) reveals their goal: not investigation but execution.
This verse captures the irony of Paul's trial narrative: Rome, the pagan empire, sought legal process while Jerusalem's religious establishment demanded summary execution. The 'chief priests and elders' represent Israel's official leadership—the very guardians of God's law now manipulating legal systems to destroy an innocent man. Luke repeatedly shows Rome protecting Paul from Jewish mob violence (Acts 21:31-36, 23:10, 23:23-24), culminating in Paul's appeal to Caesar that secured his Roman imprisonment and opportunity to testify before rulers (Acts 9:15).