Acts 25:10

I stand. Literally, “I [have stood and] am standing.” From the first Paul had been detained by the Romans. He had been saved from a brutal flogging by virtue of the fact that he was a Roman citizen. Perhaps Paul had in mind the divine promise of ch. 23:11, though he gives no hint of it here. He had been held prisoner for two years by Romans acting under Caesar’s authority. Of this he reminds the Roman governor, and declines to stand trial before men whose complicity in a plot to assassinate him was already known (see chs. 23:12-15, 30; 25:2, 3).

Judgment seat. Or, “tribunal.” Paul preferred the comparative fairness of Roman law to the capricious animosity of his hotheaded countrymen, who knew no law but that of their own selfish, irresponsible prejudices.

Ought to be judged. That is, as a Roman citizen.

To the Jews. Paul summarily denied the whole gamut of charges preferred against him. No injury had come to Jewish persons, property, character, or religion because of him.

Thou very well knowest. Paul knows that Festus’ motive in the proposal of v. 9 was to conciliate the Jews.