Acts25

Upon his arrival, Governor Festus was immediately confronted by Jewish leaders demanding Paul's transfer to Jerusalem, intending an ambush. Festus refused, holding a hearing in Caesarea where Paul, denying all charges, appealed to Caesar. Consequently, Festus declared Paul would be sent to Rome, later explaining the complex situation to King Agrippa, who desired to hear Paul himself.
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Festus Assumes Office and Meets Jewish Leaders

1
Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Cæsarea. ​
2
And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him,
3
asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way. ​
4
Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Cæsarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly. ​
5
Let them therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.

Paul's Trial Before Festus

6
And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.
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And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove; ​
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while Paul said in his defence, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cæsar, have I sinned at all. ​
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But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? ​
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But Paul said, I am standing before Cæsar’s judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest. ​
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If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar. ​
12
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Cæsar: unto Cæsar shalt thou go. ​

Festus Consults King Agrippa

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Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Cæsarea, and saluted Festus. ​
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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;
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about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him.
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To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defence concerning the matter laid against him. ​
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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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Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;
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but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. ​
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And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters.
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But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Cæsar. ​
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And Agrippa said unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him.

Paul Addresses Agrippa

23
So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in. ​
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And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
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But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.
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Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write. ​
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For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.

Study Notes for Acts 25

Verse 1

Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as procurator of Judea. His immediate visit to Jerusalem after three days shows his desire to quickly establish relations with the religious leadership.

Verse 3

The request to transfer Paul was a dangerous plot, continuing the assassination attempt described previously (Acts 23:12-15). The Jewish leaders were still determined to murder Paul.

Verse 4

Festus maintained proper Roman judicial protocol by keeping the prisoner in Caesarea, the administrative capital, thus inadvertently frustrating the Jewish plot.

Verse 7

The accusers leveled 'grievous complaints,' likely sedition against Rome or profanation of the Temple, but failed to provide any supporting evidence.

Verse 8

Paul’s defense reiterates his innocence on all three possible charges: against Jewish religious law, against the Jerusalem Temple, and against Roman political authority (Caesar).

Verse 9

Festus, seeking to gain favor with the influential Jewish leaders, proposed moving the trial to Jerusalem, effectively sacrificing justice for political expediency.

Verse 10

Paul asserts his right as a Roman citizen to be judged under Roman law at the governor’s court (Caesar's judgment seat), refusing to submit to a biased trial in Jerusalem.

Verse 11

Paul’s appeal to Caesar (Augustus/Nero) was a citizen's right (provocatio ad Caesarem) against the local magistrate’s decision, guaranteeing him safe passage to Rome for a final hearing.

Verse 12

The 'council' refers to the governor’s legal advisors (assessores). Once the appeal was formally made and accepted, the local jurisdiction ended, securing Paul's long-sought journey to Rome (Acts 23:11).

Verse 13

King Agrippa II (the last of the Herodian line) and his sister Bernice were rulers of adjacent territories and served as crucial advisors to Roman officials on Jewish customs and law.

Verse 16

Festus proudly outlines the fundamental principles of Roman justice (ius Romanum): accusers must confront the accused face-to-face, and the accused must have the opportunity to defend himself.

Verse 19

Festus dismissed the charges as concerning Jewish 'superstition' (a Roman term for religion) and the dispute over 'one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive,' recognizing the resurrection as the central issue.

Verse 21

'Augustus' is the imperial title referring to the reigning emperor, Nero. Paul was to be held in custody until the administrative preparations for his voyage to Italy were complete.

Verse 23

The hearing was conducted with 'great pomp,' emphasizing the political and military importance of the assembled officials, including the military tribunes and leading citizens of Caesarea.

Verse 26

Festus needed Agrippa’s expertise to formulate clear, specific charges to send to Rome. It was legally unacceptable to send a prisoner to the emperor without a formal statement of the crimes committed.

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