Verse 24
Paul’s knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures impressed Festus, added confirmation that Paul probably said more than Luke chose to record here. The Greek words ta polla . . . grammata, translated "great learning" (lit. the many writings), indicate that it was Paul’s knowledge of the Scriptures that impressed Festus, not his general knowledge. However the governor did not understand the significance of Paul’s beliefs. To him they seemed incomprehensible. He concluded that Paul was a zealous obscurantist and a bit crazy to risk his life defending such foolish ideas. The Romans did not believe in the resurrection of the body, just the immortality of the soul (cf. Acts 17:32; Acts 25:19). [Note: Bock, Acts, p. 722.] So belief in resurrection would have seemed like insanity to Festus.
"Festus’ comment sounds like an interruption while Paul is still in full spate, but in fact the speech has reached its conclusion." [Note: Marshall, The Acts . . ., p. 398.]
"Down through the ages Festus’s response has been echoed by men and women too trapped by the natural to be open to the supernatural, too confined by the ’practical’ to care about life everlasting." [Note: Longenecker, "The Acts . . .," p. 554.]
Some of Jesus’ accusers also thought that He was mad. People sometimes think that we are mad when we explain the gospel to them and urge them to believe in the Lord.
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