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.

And {G1161} when he had tarried {G1304} among {G1722} them {G846} more {G4119} than {G2228} ten {G1176} days {G2250}, he went down {G2597} unto {G1519} Caesarea {G2542}; and the next day {G1887} sitting {G2523} on {G1909} the judgment seat {G968} commanded {G2753} Paul {G3972} to be brought {G71}.

After staying with them at most eight or ten days, Festus went down to Caesarea; and on the following day, he took his seat in court and ordered Sha’ul to be brought in.

After spending no more than eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he sat on the judgment seat and ordered that Paul be brought in.

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.

Commentary

Acts 25:6 describes a pivotal moment in the Apostle Paul's legal saga, as the new Roman procurator, Festus, takes over his case. After a brief initial stay in Jerusalem, Festus moves to Caesarea, the administrative capital of Judea, and immediately convenes court to address Paul's long-standing imprisonment.

Context

This verse follows the transfer of power from Felix to Festus as the Roman procurator of Judea. Festus, upon his arrival, spent "more than ten days" in Jerusalem, during which time the chief priests and leading Jews quickly presented their case against Paul, urging Festus to bring him back to Jerusalem, secretly plotting to ambush and kill him on the way. Festus, however, insisted that Paul remain in Caesarea, where the Roman legal proceedings were properly conducted. This verse marks his prompt action upon returning to Caesarea, demonstrating an initial intent to handle the backlog of cases, including Paul's, which had been left unresolved by Felix, who had left Paul in bonds for two years.

Key Themes

  • Roman Justice and Administration: Festus's swift move to Caesarea and immediate convening of court highlights the Roman emphasis on legal process and order. Unlike Felix, Festus appears eager to address judicial matters.
  • Divine Providence: Even within the seemingly mundane details of political appointments and legal procedures, God's sovereign hand is at work. Festus's actions, however humanly motivated, are part of the larger divine plan for Paul to bear witness in Rome.
  • Paul's Perseverance: The verse underscores the continued challenges and delays Paul faced as a prisoner for the Gospel, yet his unwavering commitment to his mission remains evident throughout the book of Acts.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "more than ten days" (Greek: pleious deka hemeras) suggests a relatively short initial stay in Jerusalem before Festus moved to his official residence and the seat of Roman power in Caesarea. His prompt action "the next day sitting on the judgment seat" indicates his diligence or perhaps a desire to establish his authority and efficiency early in his tenure.

The "judgment seat" (Greek: bema) refers to the elevated platform or tribunal from which Roman magistrates rendered legal decisions. It was a formal setting for justice, signifying the authority and official nature of the proceedings.

Practical Application

Acts 25:6 reminds us that God works through various human systems and authorities, even secular ones, to accomplish His purposes. For Paul, this meant enduring prolonged imprisonment and navigating Roman legal processes. For us, it can be an encouragement to trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances are challenging, delayed, or seemingly outside our control. We are called to persevere in faith, knowing that God's plan will ultimately unfold, even if it involves waiting or navigating complex situations. Paul's journey shows that even in confinement, the mission of the Gospel can advance.

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Cross-References

  • Acts 25:17 (5 votes)

    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.

  • Acts 25:10 (5 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 27:19 (4 votes)

    When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:10 (2 votes)

    For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

  • Acts 18:12 (2 votes)

    ¶ And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

  • Acts 18:17 (2 votes)

    Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat [him] before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

  • John 19:13 (2 votes)

    When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.