Acts 25:14

And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

And {G1161} when {G5613} they had been {G1304} there {G1563} many {G4119} days {G2250}, Festus {G5347} declared {G394} Paul's {G3972} cause {G2596} unto the king {G935}, saying {G3004}, There is {G2076} a certain {G5100} man {G435} left {G2641} in bonds {G1198} by {G5259} Felix {G5344}:

Since they were staying on there for some time, Festus had the opportunity to acquaint the king with Sha’ul’s situation. “There is a man here,” he said, “who was left behind in custody by Felix.

Since they were staying several days, Festus laid out Paul’s case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison.

And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;

Acts 25:14 marks a pivotal moment in the Apostle Paul's ongoing legal saga, as the new Roman governor, Porcius Festus, seeks counsel from King Agrippa II concerning Paul's case.

Context

Upon arriving in Caesarea to take over his governorship from Felix, Festus found himself with a complex inherited problem: a prisoner named Paul, who had been held for two years without conviction. Festus, likely desiring to resolve this politically sensitive issue and perhaps gain favor with the local Jewish leaders, seized the opportunity of King Agrippa II's visit to consult with him. Agrippa, along with Bernice, was well-versed in Jewish customs and laws, making him an ideal advisor for the Roman governor navigating this religiously charged case. The verse highlights the significant time Paul had already spent in custody, as Festus explicitly states that Paul was "left in bonds by Felix," referring to Felix's decision to leave Paul imprisoned upon his departure.

Key Themes

  • Endurance in Imprisonment: The verse underscores Paul's prolonged and unjust detention. Despite the change in governorship, Paul's status as a prisoner remained, testing his endurance and faith.
  • Roman Justice System's Delays: It illustrates the slow and often politically influenced nature of Roman legal proceedings, where a man could be held for years without a clear verdict.
  • Divine Orchestration: Even within the confines of imprisonment and the complexities of Roman bureaucracy, God was orchestrating events. Festus's briefing of Agrippa sets the stage for Paul to bear witness to high-ranking officials, fulfilling God's earlier prophetic word about Paul.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "declared Paul's cause unto the king" uses the Greek word anatithēmi (ἀνατίθημι), which means to "lay before," "refer," or "submit for consideration." This indicates that Festus wasn't merely mentioning Paul but formally presenting the facts of the case to Agrippa, seeking his informed opinion or advice on how to proceed, especially given Paul's appeal to Caesar.

Practical Application

Acts 25:14 reminds us that even when circumstances seem stagnant or unjust, God is often working behind the scenes. Paul's long imprisonment, though difficult, ultimately provided him with unprecedented opportunities to share the Gospel with powerful figures. This verse encourages believers to exercise patience and trust in God's timing, even when faced with delays or difficult situations, knowing that He can use our circumstances to further His purposes.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 24:27

    But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

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