Acts 25:3
What does Acts 25:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 25:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 25:3 means
Under the guise of requesting a transfer to Jerusalem, Paul’s opponents aim to arrange an ambush on the road. The duplicity is stark: they ask a favor of a governor while planning murder. This exposes how far zeal can be twisted when truth is rejected. Yet their plot depends on Festus’ consent; they cannot simply seize Paul. Paul’s Roman custody, however confining, is a shield against unlawful violence. The verse reminds us that God’s preservation often comes through ordinary safeguards and the rule of law, nullifying schemes hidden under religious language and public respectability.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Requesting Festus to give effect to their design against him, and send him to Jerusalem, when they would be waiting to put him to death on the way.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862asking favour against him, that he may send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambush to put him to death in the way.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Requesting favour against him, that he would command him to be brought to Jerusalem, laying wait to kill him in the way.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890asking as a grace against him that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying people in wait to kill him on the way.
Context
Verse 3 explains the leaders’ underlying motive for the push mentioned in verse 2. They seek a transfer that would put Paul in their hands away from Roman protection. The narrative tension rises: will the new governor yield? In verses 4–5 Festus refuses the transfer, keeping the case in Cæsarea and insisting on due process. That decision is pivotal, for it both thwarts the ambush and ensures the next courtroom scene. The coming hearing (verses 6–8) will reveal once more the emptiness of the charges and move the story toward Paul’s appeal to Cæsar.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 37:32
The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.
- Romans 3:8
and why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), Let us do evil, that good may come? whose condemnation is just.
- Jeremiah 38:4
Then the princes said unto the king, Let this man, we pray thee, be put to death; forasmuch as he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
- Psalms 64:2
Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers, From the tumult of the workers of iniquity;
- Luke 23:8
Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was of a long time desirous to see him, because he had heard concerning him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him.
- Psalms 140:1
Deliver me, O Jehovah, from the evil man; Preserve me from the violent man:
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