BSB
Acts 25
1Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem,
2where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus
3to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.
4But Festus replied, “Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.
5So if this man has done anything wrong, let some of your leaders come down with me and accuse him there.”
6After 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.
7When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.
8Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”
9But 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?”
10Paul 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.
11If, 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!”
12Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
13After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.
14Since they were staying several days, Festus laid out Paul’s case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison.
15While I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews presented their case and requested a judgment against him.
16I 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.
17So 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.
18But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.
19They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20Since 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.
21But 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.”
22Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” “Tomorrow you will hear him,” Festus declared.
23The 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.
24Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him, both here and in Jerusalem, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.
25But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.
26I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write.
27For it seems unreasonable to me to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”
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Agrippa: King Acts 25:26
I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign one about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write.
Ananias: High Priest, Before Whom Paul Was Tried Acts 25:2
where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus
Appeal: Paul Makes, to Caesar Acts 25:10, 11, 21–27
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!” / 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.”
Augustus: An Important Roman Emperor Acts 25:21, 25
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.” / But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.
Capital Punishment Acts 25:11
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!”
Change of Venue: Declined by Paul Acts 25:9, 11
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?” / 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!”
Christian Minister: Persecution: Paul Acts 25:1
Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem,
Citizens: Rights of Acts 25:5, 10, 16
So if this man has done anything wrong, let some of your leaders come down with me and accuse him there.” / 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. / 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.
Courts of Justice of the Romans in Judea: Appeals From, Made to the Emperor Acts 25:11
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!”
Courts of Justice: Both the Accusers and Accused Required to Appear Before Acts 25:16
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.
Courts of Justice: Judges of Conferred Together Before Giving Judgment Acts 25:12
Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
False Accusation: Incidents Illustrative of Against Paul Acts 25:2, 7
where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus / When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.
False Teachers: Against Paul Acts 25:7, 8
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove. / Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”
Falsehood: Paul's Traducers, Falsely Accusing Him of Treason to Caesar Acts 25:7, 8
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove. / Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”
Felix: Leaves Paul in Bonds Acts 25:14
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.
Festus: Tries Paul Acts 25:26
I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign one about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write.
Indictments: Paul Acts 25:18, 19, 26, 27
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. / I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign one about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write.
Jerusalem: Roman Government Transferred From, to Caesarea Acts 25:1–13
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. They urged Festus / to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.
Judge: Kings and Other Rulers As Acts 25:11, 12
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!”
Judgment-Seat: General Scriptures Concerning Acts 25:10
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.
King: Acts As Judge Acts 25:11, 12, 20
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!” / 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.
Malice: Jews Toward Paul Acts 25:3
to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.
Paul: Appeals to be Heard by Caesar Acts 25:10–12
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!”
Paul: His Examination Before Herod Agrippa Ii Acts 25:13–27
After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to 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.
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Acts 25:1-12 Verses 1-12
See how restless malice is. Persecutors deem it a peculiar favour to have their malice gratified. Preaching Christ, the end of the law, was no offence against the law. In suffering times the prudence of the Lord's people is tried, as well as their patience; they need wisdom. It becomes those who are innocent, to insist upon their innocence. Paul was willing to abide by the rules of the law, and to let that take its course. If he deserved death, he would accept the punishment. But if none of the things whereof they accused him were true, no man could deliver him unto them, with justice. Paul is neither released nor condemned. It is an instance of the slow steps which Providence takes; by which we are often made ashamed, both of our hopes and of our fears, and are kept waiting on God.
Acts 25:13-27 Verses 13-27
Agrippa had the government of Galilee. How many unjust and hasty judgments the Roman maxim, ver. #(16), condemn! This heathen, guided only by the light of nature, followed law and custom exactly, yet how many Christians will not follow the rules of truth, justice, and charity, in judging their brethren! The questions about God's worship, the way of salvation, and the truths of the gospel, may appear doubtful and without interest, to worldly men and mere politicians. See how slightly this Roman speaks of Christ, and of the great controversy between the Jews and the Christians. But the day is at hand when Festus and the whole world will see, that all the concerns of the Roman empire were but trifles and of no consequence, compared with this question of Christ's resurrection. Those who have had means of instruction, and have despised them, will be awfully convinced of their sin and folly. Here was a noble assembly brought together to hear the truths of the gospel, though they only meant to gratify their curiosity by attending to the defence of a prisoner. Many, even now, attend at the places of hearing the word of God with "great pomp," and too often with no better motive than curiosity. And though ministers do not now stand as prisoners to make a defence for their lives, yet numbers affect to sit in judgment upon them, desirous to make them offenders for a word, rather than to learn from them the truth and will of God, for the salvation of their souls But the pomp of this appearance was outshone by the real glory of the poor prisoner at the bar. What was the honour of their fine appearance, compared with that of Paul's wisdom, and grace, and holiness; his courage and constancy in suffering for Christ! It is no small mercy to have God clear up our righteousness as the light, and our just dealing as the noon-day; to have nothing certain laid to our charge. And God makes even the enemies of his people to do them right.