Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
Therefore {G3767}, when they {G846} were come {G4905} hither {G1759}, without {G4160} any {G3367} delay {G311} on the morrow {G1836} I sat {G2523} on {G1909} the judgment seat {G968}, and commanded {G2753} the man {G435} to be brought forth {G71}.
So when they arrived here with me, I did not delay, but took my seat in court the next day and ordered the man brought in.
So when they came here with me, I did not delay. The next day I sat on the judgment seat and ordered that the man be brought in.
When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought.
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Acts 25:6
And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. -
Acts 25:10
Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
Acts 25:17 KJV describes Governor Festus's prompt action upon arriving in Caesarea, setting the stage for the next phase of the apostle Paul's extended legal proceedings.
Context
This verse is part of Festus's account to King Agrippa and Bernice, explaining his initial handling of Paul's case. Festus had recently arrived in Caesarea to take over as the Roman procurator of Judea, succeeding Felix, who had left Paul imprisoned for two years (Acts 24:27). Jewish leaders from Jerusalem, still intent on condemning Paul, immediately approached Festus upon his arrival, seeking to expedite Paul's trial or even have him transferred back to Jerusalem for an ambush.
Festus, aiming to establish his authority and administer justice efficiently, decided to address the matter without delay. He recounts how, after the accusers arrived from Jerusalem ("when they were come hither"), he wasted no time but immediately convened court the following day.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The term "judgment seat" translates the Greek word bema (βῆμα). In the Roman world, the bema was a raised platform where a magistrate or governor would sit to hear cases, pass judgments, or make public announcements. It was a symbol of official authority and the place where legal and administrative decisions were made. Other notable instances of a bema in the New Testament include Pilate sitting on the judgment seat to condemn Jesus (John 19:13) and the concept of the judgment seat of Christ for believers.
Practical Application
Acts 25:17 reminds us that God's plan unfolds even through the secular systems of the world. Festus, a pagan governor, unwittingly played a role in advancing Paul's mission to Rome by facilitating his trial. For believers today, this can offer comfort that God is sovereign over all circumstances, including legal challenges or bureaucratic delays. It also highlights the importance of due process and the fair administration of justice, principles that resonate with biblical calls for righteousness and equity (Deuteronomy 16:20).