Acts 25:27

KJV

For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes [laid] against him.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} it seemeth {G1380} to me {G3427} unreasonable {G249} to send {G3992} a prisoner {G1198}, and {G2532} not withal {G3361} to signify {G4591} the crimes {G156} laid against {G2596} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It seems irrational to me to send a prisoner without also indicating what the charges against him are.”

Berean Standard Bible

For it seems unreasonable to me to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”

American Standard Version

For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 25:27 captures the pragmatic and legal dilemma faced by Porcius Festus, the Roman procurator, regarding the Apostle Paul's case. Having inherited Paul as a prisoner from his predecessor, Felix, and recognizing Paul's appeal to Caesar, Festus acknowledges the absurdity and impropriety of sending a Roman citizen to the emperor without clearly articulating the specific charges or crimes against him. This statement underscores the Roman commitment to due process, even as it highlights the persistent inability of Paul's Jewish accusers to substantiate any charges that would hold up under Roman law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant legal and political exchange in [Acts 25](/acts/25 "Acts 25 - Paul's Trials Before Festus"). Following Paul's two years of imprisonment under Felix, Festus arrives as the new procurator. The Jewish leaders immediately press him to condemn Paul or bring him to Jerusalem for trial, hoping to ambush and kill him on the way ([Acts 25:1-3](/acts/25-1-3 "Acts 25:1-3 - Jewish Plot Against Paul")). Festus, however, insists on a fair hearing in Caesarea. After Paul eloquently defends himself and appeals to Caesar, Festus consults with his council and confirms the appeal ([Acts 25:12](/acts/25-12 "Acts 25:12 - Paul Appeals to Caesar")). The arrival of King Agrippa II and Bernice provides Festus with an opportunity to present Paul's case to someone more knowledgeable in Jewish customs and laws, hoping to gain clarity on what to write to Caesar. Verse 27 is Festus's concluding thought after explaining the situation to Agrippa, revealing his frustration and the legal conundrum he faces.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman legal system, while not without its flaws, prized order, procedure, and the rights of its citizens. A Roman citizen, like Paul, had the right of *provocatio ad populum* (appeal to the people, later to the emperor in imperial times), which meant their case could be heard by the highest authority in Rome. Sending a prisoner to Caesar without a clear *elogium* (a document detailing the charges, evidence, and proceedings) would have been a serious breach of protocol and an embarrassment for a provincial governor. Festus's concern reflects the bureaucratic necessity and the expectation of legal clarity within the vast Roman Empire. Judea was a volatile province, and Roman procurators often walked a fine line between maintaining peace and upholding Roman law, frequently navigating tensions between Jewish religious law and imperial statutes.

* **Key Themes:** [Acts 25](/acts/25 "Acts 25 - Paul's Trials Before Festus") prominently features the theme of **Divine Sovereignty** working through human systems. Despite the relentless opposition from Jewish leaders and the bureaucratic hurdles, Paul's journey to Rome is divinely ordained ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Promise to Paul")). The repeated declarations of Paul's innocence by Roman officials, from Lysias ([Acts 23:29](/acts/23-29 "Acts 23:29 - Lysias's Assessment of Paul's Innocence")) to Festus ([Acts 25:18-19](/acts/25-18-19 "Acts 25:18-19 - Festus's Report on Paul's Charges")) and ultimately Agrippa ([Acts 26:31-32](/acts/26-31-32 "Acts 26:31-32 - Agrippa's Verdict on Paul")), underscore the theme of **Paul's Legal Innocence** and the baselessness of the accusations against him from a Roman perspective. This also highlights the **Integrity of Roman Law** and its commitment to due process, even if imperfectly applied in practice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **unreasonable (Greek, _álogos'_):** From G249, meaning "irrational," "illogical," or "without reason." Festus views the act of sending a prisoner to the emperor without specified charges as utterly illogical and contrary to proper procedure. It highlights the absurdity of his predicament, where he has a prisoner who has appealed to Caesar but for whom no legitimate Roman crime can be found.
* **prisoner (Greek, _désmios'_):** From G1198, meaning "a captive" or "one in bonds." This term emphasizes Paul's physical state of confinement. Festus is dealing with a person whose liberty has been removed, and therefore, his case requires careful handling according to established legal norms, especially given his status as a Roman citizen.
* **crimes (Greek, _aitía'_):** From G156, meaning "a cause," "reason," or "legal crime/accusation." This word refers to the specific, legally definable offenses that Paul is alleged to have committed. Festus's dilemma is precisely that the Jewish leaders have failed to present any *aitía* that constitutes a crime under Roman law, only disputes concerning their own religion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For it seemeth to me unreasonable":** Festus expresses his personal judgment and professional assessment. The Greek verb *dokéō* (G1380, "to seem," "to think") conveys his considered opinion that the situation is illogical and contrary to expected legal practice. He finds it professionally indefensible to proceed without proper documentation.
* **"to send a prisoner,":** This phrase refers to the act of dispatching Paul, a Roman citizen and a captive, to the imperial court in Rome. The gravity of this action, involving a direct appeal to the emperor, necessitates strict adherence to legal protocol.
* **"and not withal to signify the crimes [laid] against him.":** This is the core of Festus's dilemma. "To signify" (G4591, *sēmaínō*) means to make known or specify. He needs to clearly state the *aitía* (crimes/accusations) in an official report to Caesar. The absence of such clear, legally actionable charges is what makes the situation "unreasonable" for him, as it would reflect poorly on his competence and the integrity of the Roman legal system.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Legal Terminology** and **Irony**. Festus's statement is steeped in the language of Roman law and administration, emphasizing the need for proper procedure and documented charges. The **Irony** lies in the fact that Paul, who has been repeatedly declared innocent by Roman officials, is still a prisoner, and the very system designed to ensure justice is now burdened by the lack of legitimate charges against him. This highlights the absurdity of the situation from a Roman legal perspective, contrasting sharply with the religious and political motivations of Paul's accusers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 25:27 profoundly illustrates the intersection of human legal systems and divine providence. Festus's frustration with the lack of clear charges against Paul highlights the integrity, albeit imperfect, of Roman law, which required due process and substantive accusations. This commitment to justice, even from a pagan authority, serves God's ultimate purpose in advancing the gospel. Paul's journey to Rome, initiated by his appeal, is not merely a legal maneuver but a fulfillment of God's promise that Paul would bear witness in the imperial capital. Thus, human bureaucratic hurdles paradoxically become the means by which God's sovereign plan unfolds, ensuring the spread of the Good News.

* [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Requirement for Multiple Witnesses")
* [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "The Lord's Promise to Paul Regarding Rome")
* [Romans 13:3-4](/romans/13-3-4 "Rulers as God's Servants for Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Festus's dilemma in Acts 25:27 offers a powerful reminder of the importance of justice and due process in any society. It challenges us to consider how we uphold truth and fairness, not just in formal legal settings but in our daily interactions and judgments of others. Paul's steadfastness in the face of baseless accusations, and the Roman authorities' eventual acknowledgment of his innocence, encourages believers to live lives of integrity, knowing that even when falsely accused, God can use such trials to advance His purposes. We are called to be people who seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God, trusting that His sovereign hand guides even the most complex human affairs for His glory and the spread of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Festus's concern for proper legal procedure in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of justice in the world today?**
* **In what ways can we, like Paul, maintain integrity and trust in God's plan when facing unfair accusations or difficult bureaucratic processes?**
* **How does this passage encourage you to see God's hand at work even in seemingly secular or frustrating circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why was it "unreasonable" for Festus to send Paul to Caesar without charges?**

Answer: It was "unreasonable" because it violated established Roman legal protocol for handling appeals to the emperor. As the new procurator, Festus was expected to provide a formal report (an *elogium*) detailing the specific accusations, the evidence presented, and the proceedings of the trial. Sending a prisoner, especially a Roman citizen, to Caesar without a clear statement of the crimes would have been a professional embarrassment and a dereliction of duty. It would imply that Festus was either incompetent or unable to manage his province effectively, as he couldn't even articulate why he was sending a prisoner to the highest court. This is why he sought Agrippa's help, hoping Agrippa, with his knowledge of Jewish customs, could help him formulate a coherent report, as seen in [Acts 25:26](/acts/25-26 "Acts 25:26 - Festus's Need for a Clear Report").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 25:27, while focusing on Festus's legal quandary, ultimately points to the broader narrative of God's sovereign plan to spread the gospel through His chosen instruments, even amidst unjust suffering. Paul's journey to Rome, facilitated by this very legal dilemma, mirrors the path of Christ Himself. Just as Jesus was unjustly accused and condemned, fulfilling prophecy and securing salvation ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Jesus Led Like a Lamb to Slaughter"); [1 Peter 2:22-24](/1_peter/2-22-24 "1 Peter 2:22-24 - Christ's Sinless Suffering")), so too Paul, though innocent of any Roman crime, endures imprisonment and trials. Festus's need for a "crime" against Paul highlights the profound truth that Paul's "offense" was simply proclaiming Christ, a message that challenged the prevailing spiritual and political powers. This divinely orchestrated journey to the heart of the Roman Empire ensured that the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), would be proclaimed in Caesar's household and beyond ([Philippians 4:22](/philippians/4-22 "Philippians 4:22 - Greetings from Caesar's Household")), demonstrating that no human authority or legal system can thwart God's redemptive purposes for His Son.

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

John 7:51

Doth our law judge [any] man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?

Proverbs 18:13

¶ He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.