A Roman merchant ship with its sail furled rides at anchor inside the stone breakwater of Caesarea’s harbor at dawn.

The Book of

Acts 25

A new governor, an old plot, and four words that set Paul’s course for Rome.

27 verses≈ 5 min4 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Paul’s Trial before Festus

Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul.

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Festus

But Festus replied, “Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. So if this man has done anything wrong, let some of your leaders come down with me and accuse him there.”

Under a stone colonnade in Caesarea, a raised judgment seat stands empty above a group of robed accusers gathered around a man in a plain cloak.

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. When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.

Paul

Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

Festus

But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”

Paul Appeals to Caesar

A prisoner’s chained hands resting on a stone rail before the judgment seat, the governor and his council blurred in shadow beyond.

Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

0:30

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

Where I ought to be

Paul did not run from Roman justice, and he did not grovel before it. “If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die.” But he also used the rights he had: “I appeal to Caesar!” Is there a situation where you need both his courage and his good sense? Write down what standing firm would look like there, and what wise step you could take.

Stylised map · locations approximate

Where it happened

To Caesar you will go

Festus went up to Jerusalem and came back down to Caesarea, where Paul was held. One sentence from Paul turned the case toward Rome, across the whole width of the sea.

Festus Consults Agrippa

After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

Festus

Since they were staying several days, Festus laid out Paul’s case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison. While I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews presented their case and requested a judgment against him. I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.

Festus

So when they came here with me, I did not delay. The next day I sat on the judgment seat and ordered that the man be brought in. But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.

They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Acts 25:19

Festus

Since I was at a loss as to how to investigate these matters, I asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there on these charges. But when Paul appealed to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar.”

King Agrippa

Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”

Festus

“Tomorrow you will hear him,” Festus declared.

Question

Quick question

Festus expected crimes. Instead he heard arguments about religion, and one name kept coming up.

What did Festus tell Agrippa the real dispute was about?

Paul before Agrippa and Bernice

A royal couple in purple and gold enter a columned audience hall through a tall doorway, with attendants, officers in dress armor and leading citizens filing in behind.

The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium, along with the commanders and leading men of the city. And Festus ordered that Paul be brought in.

Festus

I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him.

Acts 25:26

Pray

Before kings

Festus brought Paul out “before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa.” The plotters wanted Paul dead on a lonely road. God set him in a hall full of the powerful instead. Pray for believers who stand before courts and officials today, that they would speak with courage and that the name of Jesus would be heard.

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Acts 25

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A verse to carry with you

They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Acts 25:19

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