And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” (v. 24) I have long remembered this verse. (See below.) It’s a small item, but what surprised me in reading this verse this time was that it is Festus who is speaking to Paul, even though Paul is directing his comments to King Agrippa. Festus has not been governor very long, but he seems already to know Paul pretty well. But just that – it surprised me that Festus was the one who interrupted Paul’s comments.
But as to the verse itself… I have always remembered it as “…your great learning is driving you mad.” Back in the early summer of 2003 I was Assistant Treasurer for the Diocese of Lexington (Episcopal) and the Diocesan Convention was just weeks or months away. I was walking with Bishop Stacy Sauls after a meeting at the Cathedral Domain, talking about homosexuality and the upcoming ordination of the gap bishop from New Hampshire. I was citing Scripture to him, arguing against homosexuality in general and this upcoming ordination in particular when he said, “Fred, I can give you dozens of books on this topic in support of homosexuality.” I recall my response, “If it’s that complicated, I don’t think it’s from God. Jesus’ message was much simpler than that.” Our conversation continued, but I remember thinking, “Stacy, your great learning is driving you mad!” Sometimes I wonder if my great learning is driving me mad, but my most intense “great learning” has been the Bible, so I don’t dwell on the question!
For the king knows about these things, and … I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. (v. 26) This verse takes me back to the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), where Jesus joined two men who were walking along the road discussing Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection – specifically, … about everything that had happened. (v. 14). When Jesus asked what they were talking about, One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” (v. 18) That is, as with Paul in the decades following his conversion, the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection … had not been done in a corner!
Slava Bohu!