8,  9,  and  xxiv  27.  '  Cp.  Jn  vii  51.  '  See  Lysias*  letter  for  a  similir

suppression  ^xxiii  27-30).  *  in  xiii  43,  50,  xvi  14,  xvii  4,  17,  xviii  7 :  the  verii

also  oeours  in  xix  27.    Cp.  the  eohon  Augusta  (Gk  Selnuti)  of  xxyU  1.    Wlm
Herod  rebuilt  Samaria  he  gave  it  the  name  of  Sehaste*


XXV  22-26      IN  THE  AUDIENCE  CHAMBER  481

intended^  to  ask  Festus  for  an  opportunity  of  hearing  the  man — a
somewhat  contemptuous  expression  when  compared  with  the  more
polite  word  (for  man)  used  by  Festus  in  verses  5  and  14.
Agrippa's  wish  was  gratified.  Festus  decided  to  make  Paul's
'hearing  an  occasion  for  a  compliment  to  the  king.  In  compensation
for  their  loss  of  liberty  and  real  power,  the  dependent  prmces  and
wealthy  provincials  found  scope  tor  their  ambition  in  tne  outward
show  of  dress  and  ceremonial,  of  decorations  and  grand  titles.  So
Festus  gave  the  young  Herodian  prince  the  opportunity  of  making
a  public  display  with  the  semblance  of  power ;  for  he  conceded  to
him  (it  would  seem)  the  judge's  seat,  Agnppa  permits  Paul  to
speak,  takes  precedence  of  the  covemor  in  rising  from  his  seat,  and
pronounces  tne  final  verdict.  The  scene  was  to  be  in  the  Palace
(p.  440);  not  in  its  Basilica  or  hall  of  iustice,  but  in  the  Auditorium
or  hall  of  hearing.  This  would  be  tLe  hall  devoted  to  matters  of
public  ceremonial,  oratorical  displays,  and  similar  shows,  so  corre-
sponding to  the  *  schools '  and  *  porches '  in  the  public  gymnasia*.
