Acts 25:13

KJV

¶ And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} after {G1230} certain {G5100} days {G2250} king {G935} Agrippa {G67} and {G2532} Bernice {G959} came {G2658} unto {G1519} Caesarea {G2542} to salute {G782} Festus {G5347}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After some days, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

Berean Standard Bible

After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

American Standard Version

Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Cæsarea, and saluted Festus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 25:13 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea, introducing King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice. Their diplomatic visit to the new Roman governor, Porcius Festus, appears to be a routine courtesy call, yet it providentially sets the stage for Paul to present his powerful defense and testimony of the resurrected Christ before significant Jewish and Roman authorities, fulfilling a divine purpose for the advancement of the gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Festus's initial dealings with Paul's case. Having taken over from Felix, Festus inherited a complex situation involving a Roman citizen accused by Jewish leaders. Festus had already traveled to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and leading Jews pressed for Paul to be brought back for trial, intending to ambush and kill him (cf. [Acts 25:1-3](/acts/25-1-3 "Acts 25:1-3 - Festus in Jerusalem")). Festus, however, insisted Paul be tried in Caesarea. Upon his return, the Jewish accusers presented their case, but Paul, recognizing the injustice and the danger, appealed to Caesar (cf. [Acts 25:6-12](/acts/25-6-12 "Acts 25:6-12 - Paul's Trial and Appeal")). The arrival of Agrippa and Bernice in verse 13 thus provides Festus with an ideal opportunity to consult with someone knowledgeable in Jewish law and customs, a critical step before sending Paul to Caesar.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Porcius Festus had recently assumed the governorship of Judea, succeeding Antonius Felix (cf. [Acts 24:27](/acts/24-27 "Acts 24:27 - Felix's Departure")). King Agrippa II was the last of the Herodian line to rule. He was the great-grandson of Herod the Great and the son of Herod Agrippa I, who persecuted the early church (cf. [Acts 12:1](/acts/12-1 "Acts 12:1 - Herod Agrippa I Persecutes the Church")). Agrippa II ruled over various territories northeast of Galilee, including Ituraea, Trachonitis, and Abilene, and held significant authority, especially concerning Jewish religious affairs and the appointment of the High Priest. Bernice was his sister, with whom he had a controversial relationship, often accompanying him on official visits. Their visit to Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea, was a formal diplomatic courtesy call to "salute" (pay respects to) the new provincial governor, a common practice among allied rulers in the Roman Empire to establish good relations and acknowledge authority. This visit provided Festus with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the intricacies of Jewish law relevant to Paul's case.

* **Key Themes:** The introduction of King Agrippa II and Bernice highlights several significant themes. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Providence** and God's sovereign orchestration of events. What appears to be a routine diplomatic visit is, in fact, God's means of fulfilling His promise that Paul would bear witness before kings (cf. [Acts 9:15](/acts/9-15 "Acts 9:15 - Paul's Commission to Kings")). Secondly, the interaction between Agrippa, Bernice, and Festus illustrates the complex **Interplay of Roman and Jewish Authority** in Judea, where political and religious jurisdictions frequently overlapped. Festus, a Roman governor, sought Agrippa's expertise on Jewish matters, demonstrating the need for collaboration in a diverse province. Finally, this verse serves as a crucial **Setting of the Stage** for Paul's most extensive and powerful defense, where he recounts his conversion and calling before Agrippa, Festus, and other dignitaries (cf. [Acts 26](/acts/26 "Acts 26 - Paul's Defense Before Agrippa")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **after (Greek, _diagínomai'_):** This word, meaning "to elapse meanwhile," or "to be past," signifies the passage of time following Festus's arrival and initial handling of Paul's case. It indicates that the events of Paul's appeal to Caesar had concluded, and a period of time had passed before the arrival of Agrippa and Bernice. This temporal marker sets the scene for a new phase in Paul's legal journey, suggesting that the divine plan for Paul's witness was unfolding in its appointed time.
* **king (Greek, _basileús'_):** This term denotes a sovereign or ruler, highlighting Agrippa's royal status and authority. Agrippa was not merely a local dignitary but a king with significant influence, particularly in matters pertaining to Jewish law and custom. His presence elevates the significance of Paul's upcoming hearing, as Paul would now have the opportunity to present the gospel before a monarch, fulfilling the prophetic word concerning his ministry.
* **to salute (Greek, _aspázomai'_):** This verb means "to enfold in the arms," or "to embrace," and by implication, "to salute" or "to welcome." In this context, it describes a formal greeting or a visit of courtesy. It was more than a casual hello; it was an act of paying respects and establishing diplomatic ties, a common practice in the ancient world when a new official took office. This formal act underscores the political and social importance of the visit, which would inadvertently serve God's greater purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And after certain days":** This phrase indicates a lapse of time following Festus's arrival in Caesarea and his initial engagement with Paul's case, including Paul's appeal to Caesar. It suggests a period of settling into the new governorship before the next significant event unfolds.
* **"king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea":** This introduces the two prominent figures who will play a crucial role in the subsequent narrative. King Agrippa II, a descendant of the Herodian dynasty, and his sister Bernice, arrive at Caesarea, the Roman provincial capital. Their arrival signifies a formal visit, given Agrippa's royal status and influence.
* **"to salute Festus":** This clause specifies the purpose of their visit. "To salute" (ἀσπάζεσθαι) implies a formal greeting, a courtesy call, or an act of paying respects to the newly appointed Roman governor. Such diplomatic visits were customary in the ancient world to establish or reaffirm political alliances and good relations between rulers.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Character Introduction** by bringing King Agrippa II and Bernice into the narrative, signaling their importance for the unfolding events. This introduction serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as their arrival directly precedes Paul's most significant defense and testimony before a powerful audience. Furthermore, there is an element of **Divine Irony** or **Providential Orchestration**: what appears to be a mundane diplomatic formality is, in reality, a divinely appointed moment designed to advance the gospel message into the highest echelons of power. The seemingly ordinary political act is imbued with extraordinary spiritual significance, revealing God's hand working through human affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 25:13 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over seemingly mundane political and social interactions. The arrival of King Agrippa and Bernice, a routine courtesy visit to a new governor, becomes a divinely orchestrated opportunity for Paul to bear witness to Christ before rulers, fulfilling the prophetic word given at his conversion. This highlights the theological truth that God uses all circumstances, even the secular and diplomatic, to advance His kingdom purposes. It underscores that no human authority or political maneuvering can thwart God's ultimate plan for the spread of the gospel.

* [Acts 9:15](/acts/9-15 "Acts 9:15 - Paul's Calling to Bear Witness Before Kings")
* [Acts 26:1-32](/acts/26-1-32 "Acts 26:1-32 - Paul's Defense Before Agrippa")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 25:13 serves as a profound reminder that God's providence extends to every sphere of life, including the political and the seemingly ordinary. Just as He orchestrated the visit of King Agrippa and Bernice to provide Paul with a platform for gospel proclamation, so too does God work through the circumstances of our lives. This encourages believers to cultivate a deep trust in God's sovereignty, recognizing that even routine interactions or unexpected encounters can be divinely appointed opportunities for His will to be done. We are called to be prepared, like Paul, to bear witness to Christ in whatever context we find ourselves, understanding that God can use our presence and testimony to impact those in positions of influence, or simply those in our daily spheres. Our task is faithfulness; God's task is orchestration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we discern God's hand at work in seemingly ordinary or political events in our lives or the world around us?**
* **In what "high places" or unexpected contexts might God be calling us to bear witness to Him, even if it's not before a literal king?**
* **How does Paul's readiness to speak before Agrippa encourage us to be prepared to share our faith, regardless of the audience?**

### FAQ
**Who were King Agrippa and Bernice, and what was their relationship?**

Answer: King Agrippa II was the great-grandson of Herod the Great and the son of Herod Agrippa I, who is mentioned in [Acts 12:1](/acts/12-1 "Acts 12:1 - Herod Agrippa I Persecutes the Church"). He was the last of the Herodian dynasty to rule, presiding over various territories northeast of Galilee. He held significant authority in Jewish religious affairs. Bernice was his sister, with whom he had a controversial and widely rumored incestuous relationship. They often traveled together, and she is present during Paul's defense in [Acts 26](/acts/26 "Acts 26 - Paul's Defense Before Agrippa").

**Why did they come to Caesarea to salute Festus?**

Answer: Their visit to Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea, was a formal diplomatic courtesy call to "salute" (ἀσπάζεσθαι, _aspázomai_) the new Roman governor, Porcius Festus. This was a common practice in the ancient world for allied rulers to pay respects and establish good relations with a newly appointed provincial governor. It was a matter of political protocol and alliance-building. While seemingly a routine event, it became a pivotal moment in God's plan for Paul.

**What was the significance of their visit for Paul's case?**

Answer: The arrival of King Agrippa II and Bernice was highly significant for Paul's case. Festus, being new to his post and unfamiliar with the intricacies of Jewish law and customs, found Paul's situation perplexing. Agrippa, as a Jewish king, possessed deep knowledge of these matters. Festus saw an opportunity to consult with Agrippa to gain clarity on the charges against Paul, as detailed in [Acts 25:14-22](/acts/25-14-22 "Acts 25:14-22 - Festus Consults Agrippa"). This consultation ultimately led to Paul's powerful defense and testimony before Agrippa, Festus, and other dignitaries, fulfilling God's prophetic word that Paul would bear witness before kings (cf. [Acts 9:15](/acts/9-15 "Acts 9:15 - Paul's Commission")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 25:13, though seemingly a minor detail of political protocol, profoundly illustrates the overarching theme of God's sovereign orchestration, a theme that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Just as King Agrippa and Bernice's visit provided a platform for Paul to testify before rulers, so too did God orchestrate every detail of Christ's life, ministry, and passion. Jesus Himself stood trial before Roman and Jewish authorities, including Pilate and Herod (cf. [Luke 23:1-12](/luke/23-1-12 "Luke 23:1-12 - Jesus Before Pilate and Herod")), bearing witness to the truth of God's kingdom. The seemingly random confluence of human events—a new governor, a diplomatic visit—becomes a testament to the fact that God is actively working behind the scenes of history to advance His redemptive purposes. Paul's testimony before Agrippa, a king, foreshadows the ultimate reign of Christ, the King of Kings, whose gospel is destined to be proclaimed to all nations, even to those in the highest echelons of power (cf. [Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")). The gospel's advance, even through legal proceedings and political maneuvering, underscores that no earthly power can ultimately thwart the divine plan for the spread of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 8:40

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Acts 26:27

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

Acts 26:28

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

2 Samuel 8:10

Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And [Joram] brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

1 Samuel 25:14

But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them.

Acts 26:1

¶ Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

1 Samuel 13:10

And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.