Acts Chapter 25

At a Glance

  • Acts 25 charts Paul’s ongoing legal saga under Festus, who has succeeded Felix in the governorship.
  • In this section, Luke highlights the procedural and political realities of the Roman world in which the gospel moves.
  • - Legal strategy and gospel persistence: Paul’s appeal to Caesar as the path forward.
  • - International witness: Paul’s case set against imperial courts hints at Rome’s role in the spread of Christianity.
  • - Leadership and political calculation: Festus’s governance illustrates the delicate balance of peace, justice, and political expediency.

Acts 25 charts Paul’s ongoing legal saga under Festus, who has succeeded Felix in the governorship. The chief priests and elders press their case, seeking to bring Paul to Jerusalem to be killed along the way. Festus seeks a political solution that would satisfy Jewish leaders while preserving Paul’s life. He invites a trial at Caesarea and proceeds to interrogate Paul, who maintains his innocence and principles: he has done nothing worthy of death and asserts the right to appeal to Caesar when his rights are not being fairly adjudicated. Paul’s appeal to Caesar marks a turning point: a formal declaration that his gospel mission cannot be easily suppressed within Jewish or provincial boundaries. The chapter also introduces King Agrippa and Bernice, who arrive to pay respects and end up hearing Paul’s case, a moment that promises further development of the apostolic testimony to imperial audiences. Festus’s misgivings about the implications of Paul’s case reflect the broader tension between preserving political peace and facing the moral demands of truth. The overarching arc of Acts advances: the gospel will advance through legal and political corridors toward Rome, where Paul’s witness will continue to unfold under new conditions.

In this section, Luke highlights the procedural and political realities of the Roman world in which the gospel moves. The transition from Felix to Festus, and the arrival of Agrippa and Bernice, situates Paul’s trial within the upper echelons of governance. The appeal to Caesar is a strategic move that preserves Paul’s life and preserves the possibility of a broader audience for the gospel. Luke’s emphasis on these political figures underscores the universality of the gospel and its inevitable clash with human power structures. The narrative also keeps the parallel thread of the Jewish leadership’s tenacity and the Roman willingness to hear cases with legal procedure, even as motive and bias hover in the background.

- Legal strategy and gospel persistence: Paul’s appeal to Caesar as the path forward.

- International witness: Paul’s case set against imperial courts hints at Rome’s role in the spread of Christianity.

- Leadership and political calculation: Festus’s governance illustrates the delicate balance of peace, justice, and political expediency.

- Divine sovereignty and human agency: Luke presents the gospel’s advance as guided by God despite human plans.

The chapter offers a model for believers navigating legal and civic systems while remaining faithful to the gospel. It underscores the legitimacy of appealing to higher authorities when justice is at stake and shows how strategic patience and faith can align to promote gospel emergence in broader spheres. The narrative also challenges Christians to consider how power, politics, and religious conviction intersect in contemporary society, urging wise discernment and steadfast witness.

Key Themes

Legal strategy and gospel persistence: Paul’s appeal to Caesar as the path forward.International witness: Paul’s case set against imperial courts hints at Rome’s role in the spread of Christianity.Leadership and political calculation: Festus’s governance illustrates the delicate balance of peace, justice, and political expediency.Divine sovereignty and human agency: Luke presents the gospel’s advance as guided by God despite human plans.

Chapter Text

1

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

2

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

3

And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

4

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

5

Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

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.

7

And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

8

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

9

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

10

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.

11

For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

12

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

13

And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

14

And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

15

About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

16

To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

17

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.

18

Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

19

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20

And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

21

But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

22

Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

23

And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.

24

And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27

For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

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