25:1-9Although two years had passed, the Jewish feaders still were looking for a way to kill Paul. They told Festus about Paul and tried to convince him to hold the trial in Jerusalem (so they could prepare an ambush). But God and Paul thwarted their schemes again.
Life Application Study BibleActsChapter 25
Acts 25
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1881, 1882
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
25Acts 25
Paul Appears before Festus
125 Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, 2where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way). 4But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon. 5So he said, 6Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.” SAbout eight or ten days later Festus returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in. 7When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem gathered around and made many serious accusations they couldn't prove. 8Paul denied the charges. “I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said. 9Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, 11Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?” 16But Paul replied, “No! This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. ‘If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if 1 am innocent, no one has aright to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!” 12Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!” 134 few days later King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice,* to pay their respects to Festus. ‘During their stay of several days, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king. “ There is a prisoner here,” he told him, “whose case was left for me by Felix. 5 When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn him. 161 pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves. 17“When his accusers came here for the trial, I didn’t delay. I called the case the very next day and ordered Paul brought in. 18But the accusations made against him weren't any of the crimes I expected. 19Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive. 20I was at a loss to know how to investigate these things, so I asked him whether he would be willing to stand trial on these charges in Jerusalem. 21But Paul appealed to have his case decided by the emperor. So I ordered that he be held in custody until I could arrange to send him to Caesar.” 22“T'd like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said. And Festus replied, “ You will—tomorrow!”
Paul Speaks to Agrippa
2323So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. 24Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem. 25But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome. 26“But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write. 27For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!”
Textual footnotes
- 25:13 Greek Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived.
Life Application Notes 5 notes
25:10,11Paul knew that he was innocent of the charges against him and could appeal to Caesar's judgment. He knew his rights as a Roman citizen and as an innocent person. Paul had met his responsibilities as a Roman, and so he had the opportunity to claim Rome's protection. Every Roman citizen had the right to appeal to Caesar. This didn’t mean that Caesar himself would hear the case but that the citizen’s case would be tried by the highest courts in the empire. Festus saw Paul’s appeal as a way to send him out of the country and thus pacify the Jews. Paul wanted to go to Rome to preach the Good News (Romans 1:10), and he knew that his appeal would give him the opportunity. To go to Rome as a prisoner was better than fot to go there at all.
25:13This was Herod Agrippa Il, son of Herod Agrippa I and a descendant of Herod the Great. He had power over the Temple, controlled the Temple treasury, and could appoint and remove the high priest. Bernice was the sister of Herod Agrippa Il. She had married her uncle, Herod Chalcis, had become mistress to her brother Agrippa Il, and then had become mistress to the emperor Vespasian’s son, Titus. Here Agrippa and Bernice were making an official visit to Festus. Agrippa, of Jewish descent, could help clarify Paul’s case for the Roman governor. Agrippa and Festus were anxious to cooperate in governing their neighboring territories.
25:19Even though Festus knew little about Christianity, he somehow sensed that the Resurrection was central to Christian belief.
25:23ffPaul was in prison, but that didn’t stop him from making the most of his situation. Military officers and prominent city leaders met in the auditorium with Agrippa to hear this case. Paul saw this new audience as yet another opportunity to present the Good News. Rather than complain about your Present situation, look for ways to use every opportunity to serve God and share him with others. Your problems may be Opportunities in disguise. 26:3tf This speech is a good example of Paul's powerful oratory. Beginning with a compliment to Agrippa, he told his story, including the resurrection of Christ, and the royal audience was spellbound.