25:26a
have nothing definite to write: It was necessary for Festus to send Paul so that Caesar would hear his case. But the issues involved were about the Jewish religion and not Roman law, so Festus did not know what to tell Caesar about the case to help him decide it, nor even how to describe the charges against him. Other ways to translate this clause are:
have no certain thing to write (King James Version)
-or-
don’t have anything reliable to write (God’s Word)
-or-
have nothing specific to write (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
our sovereign one: This phrase in Greek is literally “the lord.” The Greek word means “master, ruler, owner.” The word refers to Caesar here. Caesar ruled over the whole Roman empire. It does not refer to God here. It does not imply that Festus was calling Caesar a god. Other ways to translate this Greek word are:
my lord (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
our lord/master/leader, ⌊Caesar⌋
25:26b–c
I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa: This clause emphasizes that Festus particularly wanted King Agrippa to listen to Paul and question him. For example:
I have brought him before you all and particularly before you, King Agrippa (Revised English Bible)
25:26d
after this inquiry: Festus hoped that the people here would be more familiar with the issues surrounding the Jewish accusations against Paul and so would know the right questions to ask Paul. Then Festus would be able to clearly tell Caesar what the case was about. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
after investigating his case (Good News Translation)
-or-
we will question him and as a result
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