Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
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Acts 25
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And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
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But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
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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:
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About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
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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.
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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.
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But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
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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.
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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.
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Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
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Chapter Study & Analysis
Overview
Acts 25 follows Paul’s trial before the new governor, Festus. To avoid being sent back to Jerusalem to face a biased court and a potential ambush, Paul exercises his right as a citizen and appeals to Caesar, leading to a hearing before King Agrippa.
CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS
1. The Sovereignty of Legal Rights: Paul’s appeal to Caesar (v. 11) was a strategic move to ensure he reached Rome as God had promised. We should use wisdom and the available legal systems to protect the mission of the Church.2. Innocence before the World: Even the pagan Festus had to admit that Paul had committed nothing worthy of death (v. 25). Our lives should be so blameless that even our critics find no valid charge against us.
3. God’s Unfolding Plan: The political maneuvers of men were ultimately serving God’s decree that Paul would testify in Rome. We can rest in the fact that God is the Master Architect behind the scenes of history.
Practical Lessons
FORMAL PRAYER
Almighty King, who rulest over the hearts of governors and kings: we thank Thee that Thy counsel always stands. Grant us the wisdom of Paul to navigate the complexities of this world, that through our lives, the Gospel may reach the highest places of authority. Amen.