Acts 25:3
And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
Original Language Analysis
χάριν
favour
G5485
χάριν
favour
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
2 of 16
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
κατὰ
against
G2596
κατὰ
against
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
3 of 16
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅπως
that
G3704
ὅπως
that
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
5 of 16
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
μεταπέμψηται
he would send for
G3343
μεταπέμψηται
he would send for
Strong's:
G3343
Word #:
6 of 16
to send from elsewhere, i.e., (middle voice) to summon or invite
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
8 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
9 of 16
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
ποιοῦντες
laying
G4160
ποιοῦντες
laying
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
11 of 16
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἀνελεῖν
to kill
G337
ἀνελεῖν
to kill
Strong's:
G337
Word #:
12 of 16
to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
κατὰ
against
G2596
κατὰ
against
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
14 of 16
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
Historical Context
The 60-mile Jerusalem-Caesarea road through Judean wilderness provided numerous ambush sites. The Jewish leaders gambled that a new governor, unfamiliar with Paul's case, would grant their 'reasonable' request for local trial, enabling assassination.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Satan persist in attacking God's purposes even when initial attempts fail?
- What does this renewed plot reveal about religious leaders who prioritize institutional preservation over truth?
Analysis & Commentary
The Jewish leaders desired favour against him (aitoumenoi charin, αἰτούμενοι χάριν)—literally 'requesting a favor,' revealing manipulation disguised as reasonable request. Their supposed desire for justice masked murderous intent: laying wait in the way to kill him (enedran poiountes, ἐνέδραν ποιοῦντες, making an ambush). This renewed assassination plot, two years after the first conspiracy (Acts 23:12-15), demonstrates satanic persistence in opposing Paul's Roman testimony. The leaders' willingness to violate both Torah and Roman law while claiming religious authority exposes complete moral bankruptcy.