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.

Festus Assumes Office and Meets Jewish Leaders

Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

Then the high priest and the principal men of the Judeans informed him against Paul, and they begged him,

asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem; plotting to kill him on the way.

However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.

“Let them therefore”, said he, “that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”

Paul's Trial Before Festus

When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.

When he had come, the Judeans who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,

while he said in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.”

But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Judeans, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?”

But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Judeans, as you also know very well.

For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”

Festus Consults King Agrippa

Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.

As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;

about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the Jewish elders informed me, asking for a sentence against him.

To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.

When therefore they had come together here, I didn’t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought.

Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed;

but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Yeshua, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.

But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar.”

Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”

Paul Addresses Agrippa

So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Judeans petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.

Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write.

For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify 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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Acts25

Festus Assumes Office and Meets Jewish Leaders

Paul's Trial Before Festus

Festus Consults King Agrippa

Paul Addresses Agrippa

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