“Thus,
The next day,
King Agrippa
And Bernice
Came with great pomp.
They entered
The audience hall
With the military tribunes
And the prominent men
Of the city.
Then Festus gave the order.
Paul was brought in.”
Τῇ οὖν ἐπαύριον ἐλθόντος τοῦ Ἀγρίππα καὶ τῆς Βερνίκης μετὰ πολλῆς φαντασίας καὶ εἰσελθόντων εἰς τὸ ἀκροατήριον σύν τε χιλιάρχοις καὶ ἀνδράσιν τοῖς κατ’ ἐξοχὴν τῆς πόλεως, καὶ κελεύσαντος τοῦ Φήστου ἤχθη ὁ Παῦλος.
The author of Acts indicated that the next day (Τῇ οὖν ἐπαύριον), King Agrippa II and Bernice (τοῦ Ἀγρίππα καὶ τῆς Βερνίκης) came (ἐλθόντος) with great pomp (μετὰ πολλῆς φαντασίας). They entered (καὶ εἰσελθόντων) the audience hall (εἰς τὸ ἀκροατήριον) with the military tribunes (σύν τε χιλιάρχοις) and the prominent men (καὶ ἀνδράσιν τοῖς κατ’ ἐξοχὴν) of the city (τῆς πόλεως). Then Governor Festus (τοῦ Φήστου) gave the order (καὶ κελεύσαντος) that Paul (ὁ Παῦλος) should be brought in (ἤχθη). Acts was the only Greek biblical writing that used these words Φαντασίας, that means imagination, show, display, or pomp, the word ἀκροατήριον, that means place of audience, auditorium, recitation hall, or court room, and the word ἐξοχὴν, that means a projection, eminence, distinction, or excellence. Governor Porcius Festus arranged to have King Agrippa II and Bernice listen to Paul in an ornate auditorium. Thus. the king came into the hall with Roman military leaders and the prominent men of the city of Caesarea. Then the governor called for Paul to come in so that the proceedings could begin. Have you ever been to an ornate hall?
