Acts 25
Paul's Trial Before Festus
1Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
2Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him,
3asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him on the way.
4However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.
5“Let them therefore”, he said, “that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”
6When 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.
7When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,
8while he said in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.”
9But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be judged by me there concerning these things?”
10But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.
11For 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!”
12Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”
Festus Consults King Agrippa
13Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.
14As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
15about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.
16I answered them 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.
17When 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.
18When the accusers stood up, they brought no charges against him of such things as I supposed;
19but had certain questions against him about their own religion and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.
21But 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.”
22Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
23So 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 the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
24Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I determined to send him,
26of 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.
27For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him.”
When Festus becomes the new Roman governor, Jewish leaders immediately renew their accusations against Paul, even plotting to kill him during transport to Jerusalem. Paul boldly defends himself against their unsubstantiated charges and, when Festus suggests a trial in Jerusalem to appease the Jews, Paul exercises his Roman citizenship by appealing directly to Caesar. Festus then consults with King Agrippa about Paul's case, explaining his confusion over what appears to be a religious dispute about Jesus rather than criminal charges.
Context
This chapter continues Paul's legal proceedings from Felix's governorship in chapter 24 and sets up his defense before King Agrippa in chapter 26.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5Festus Arrives and Jewish Leaders Accuse PaulThe new governor receives immediate pressure from Jewish authorities to transfer Paul to Jerusalem, where they plan an ambush.
- 6-8Paul's Trial Before FestusPaul faces multiple serious but unproven charges and declares his innocence regarding Jewish law, the temple, and Caesar.
- 9-12Paul Appeals to CaesarWhen Festus suggests a Jerusalem trial, Paul asserts his Roman rights and appeals directly to the emperor.
- 13-22Festus Consults King AgrippaFestus explains Paul's case to the visiting king, revealing his perplexity over religious rather than criminal matters.
Paul's Trial Before Festus
25:1–25:12When Governor Festus suggests Paul return to Jerusalem for trial, Paul exercises his right as a Roman citizen to appeal directly to Caesar. Festus grants the appeal, setting in motion Paul's journey to Rome.
person_contrast
Paul's strategic invocation of Roman citizenship transforms him from persecuted missionary into legal equal of his accusers, wielding imperial authority against Jewish religious power.
Festus Consults King Agrippa
25:13–25:27Festus consults King Agrippa about Paul's case, explaining the charges brought by Jewish leaders and Paul's appeal to Caesar. Agrippa expresses interest in hearing Paul's defense personally.
person_contrast
Paul transforms from prisoner to prized exhibit when Festus presents his case as entertainment for visiting royalty, revealing how Roman officials commodified religious disputes for political theater.
Acts 25:1
Acts 28:17lexicalAfter three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to th…
Galatians 1:18lexicalThen after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Acts 21:15lexicalAfter these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.
Acts 25:6
Acts 23:10lexicalWhen a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the so…
Acts 12:19lexicalWhen Herod had sought for him and didn’t find him, he examined the guards, then commanded that they should be put to dea…
John 19:13lexicalWhen Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The P…
Acts 22:30lexicalBut on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds and co…
Acts 18:12lexicalBut when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgme…
Acts 25:9
Acts 24:27lexicalBut when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Feli…
John 11:55lexicalNow the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify them…
John 2:13lexicalThe Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 5:1lexicalAfter these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Acts 19:21lexicalNow after these things had ended, Paul determined in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go…
Acts 25:10
Acts 18:12lexicalBut when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgme…
Acts 27:24lexicalsaying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
Acts 27:21lexicalWhen they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to m…
John 18:31lexicalPilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to hi…
Acts 22:30lexicalBut on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds and co…
Acts 25:11
Acts 26:31lexicalWhen they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”
Luke 23:15lexicalNeither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.
Luke 23:41lexicalAnd we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.”
Acts 26:32lexicalAgrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Romans 1:32lexicalwho, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but al…
Acts 25:12
Acts 26:32lexicalAgrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Matthew 22:15lexicalThen the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk.
Acts 25:13
Acts 26:7lexicalwhich our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews,…
Acts 26:32lexicalAgrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Acts 25:14
Acts 24:27lexicalBut when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Feli…
Acts 24:24lexicalAfter some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the fai…
Acts 26:24lexicalAs he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you ins…
Acts 28:17lexicalAfter three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to th…
Acts 26:7lexicalwhich our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews,…
Acts 25:15
Acts 24:1lexicalAfter five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the…
Matthew 27:20lexicalNow the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
Matthew 16:21lexicalFrom that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, c…
Mark 11:27lexicalThey came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came t…
Luke 7:3lexicalWhen he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and save his servant.
Acts 25:16
Acts 28:17lexicalAfter three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to th…
Acts 23:29lexicalI found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of impris…
Acts 16:21lexicaland advocate customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.”
Mark 12:14lexicalWhen they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t par…
Acts 25:17
John 19:13lexicalWhen Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The P…
Acts 11:12lexicalThe Spirit told me to go with them without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into t…
Acts 25:23
Acts 23:10lexicalWhen a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the so…
Acts 14:20lexicalBut as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas…
Acts 27:21lexicalWhen they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to m…
Acts 22:30lexicalBut on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds and co…
Acts 23:18lexicalSo he took him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to brin…
Acts 25:24
Acts 26:2lexical“I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you today concerning all the things that I am a…
Acts 26:32lexicalAgrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Acts 10:28lexicalHe said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one…
Acts 24:27lexicalBut when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Feli…
Acts 17:22lexicalPaul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all th…
Acts 25:25
Acts 26:31lexicalWhen they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”
Romans 1:32lexicalwho, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but al…
Luke 23:15lexicalNeither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.
Acts 23:29lexicalI found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of impris…
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