Festus’ response (v 24-26)

“While Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you insane.’”

(1) Festus, who had been listening to Paul’s defense, could no longer contain himself and expressed his feelings of contempt.

(2) Festus acknowledged that Paul was highly learned. (a) His learning referred to his deep knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. (b) However, Festus could not understand what Paul is speaking. (c) In Festus’ worldview, the resurrection of the dead did not exist. Therefore, he considered it madness for someone to stake their life on such a belief.

(3) The Roman view of life and death at that time was as follows: (a) They did not believe in the resurrection of the body. (b) They believed only in the immortality of the soul. (c) Acts 17:32 (regarding Paul’s preaching in Athens) states: “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, ‘We shall hear from you again concerning this.’” (d) Acts 25:19 (Festus’ words) states: “But they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive.”

Paul’s response

“I am not insane, most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with truthful and rational words. For the king knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence…” (1) Paul responded with courteous words. His reply demonstrated both passion and politeness, which coexist as essential qualities of a Christian.

(2) Paul said, “For this has not been done in a corner.” (a) King Agrippa was well aware of the content of the Gospel. (b) He also knew about Jesus’ public ministry, His crucifixion, resurrection, the birth of the church, and the spread of the Gospel. (c) These events were well known throughout the land of Israel. (d) About 30 years had passed since the church was established. There was no way King Agrippa could be unaware of these things. People of this generation share a similar view of life and death as the Romans did. While many believe in the immortality of the soul, most do not believe in the resurrection of the body. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will work powerfully in evangelism. The resurrection is the greatest distinction that sets Christianity apart from other religions.