“And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.”
When Paul appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove - the accusers 'stand around' (peristantes, peristantes) like wolves, leveling charges without evidence. The phrase 'which they could not prove' (hon ouk ischyon, hōn ouk ischyon-'which were not strong') is damning: their case collapses under scrutiny. Luke repeatedly establishes that Paul's guilt is a fiction maintained only by shouted accusation.
Church Fathers on Acts 25:7
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly there. Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. Acts 25:4-6 But after they came down, they immediately made their accusations…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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