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
Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. ​
2
Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3
And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. ​
4
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. ​
5
Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

Paul's Trial Before Festus

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.
7
And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. ​
8
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. ​
9
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? ​
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. ​
11
For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. ​
12
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. ​

Festus Consults King Agrippa

13
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. ​
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:
15
About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. ​
17
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.
18
Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19
But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. ​
20
And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21
But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. ​
22
Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

Paul Addresses Agrippa

23
And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. ​
24
And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26
Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. ​
27
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid 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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