“While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended any thing at all.”
Then Paul made his defense: 'I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.' - Paul's apologia is threefold, denying violation of (1) Jewish law, (2) the temple, and (3) Caesar's majesty. His conciseness contrasts with the accusers' noise. By invoking loyalty to Caesar, Paul claims the legal framework itself; he is not the rebel-the Jews who incite mob violence are. Paul speaks in the language of Roman order, appealing to the very magistrate before whom he stands.
Church Fathers on Acts 25:8
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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