3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
3 They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.
3 asking as a favor against Paul
3 They asked Festus if he wouldn't please do them a favor by sending Paul to Jerusalem to respond to their charges. A lie, of course - they had revived their old plot to set an ambush and kill him along the way.
3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem--while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him.
3 They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way).
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 25:3
Commentary on Acts 25:1-12
(Read Acts 25:1-12)
See how restless malice is. Persecutors deem it a peculiar favour to have their malice gratified. Preaching Christ, the end of the law, was no offence against the law. In suffering times the prudence of the Lord's people is tried, as well as their patience; they need wisdom. It becomes those who are innocent, to insist upon their innocence. Paul was willing to abide by the rules of the law, and to let that take its course. If he deserved death, he would accept the punishment. But if none of the things whereof they accused him were true, no man could deliver him unto them, with justice. Paul is neither released nor condemned. It is an instance of the slow steps which Providence takes; by which we are often made ashamed, both of our hopes and of our fears, and are kept waiting on God.