History · Chapter 25 of 28

Acts 25

The new governor Festus visits Jerusalem, where Jewish leaders press him to send Paul there, plotting an ambush. Festus insists the trial happen at Caesarea. When he suggests moving the case to Jerusalem, Paul appeals to Caesar, and Festus grants it. Later, King Agrippa and Bernice arrive, and Festus explains Paul's case, admitting the dispute concerns a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul claims is alive. Agrippa asks to hear Paul himself.

What happens in Acts 25

Festus, newly installed as governor, goes up to Jerusalem, where the chief priests urge him to summon Paul, intending to ambush and kill him on the road. Festus refuses, directing them to bring their charges at Caesarea. There he sits on the judgment seat, and Paul's accusers lay many unprovable complaints. Paul denies offending against the law, the temple, or Caesar. When Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asks whether Paul will be tried in Jerusalem, Paul appeals to Caesar, and Festus grants the appeal.

Days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrive to greet Festus, who lays Paul's case before them. He admits the accusers raised no crime he expected, only questions about their religion and about 'one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.' Unsure what to write to the emperor, Festus welcomes Agrippa's request to hear Paul the next day.

Acts 25 in context

Porcius Festus succeeded Felix around AD 59 as governor of Judea. Herod Agrippa II, great-grandson of Herod the Great, ruled nearby territories and oversaw the temple, making him an expert on Jewish affairs; Bernice was his sister.

Paul's appeal to Caesar was the right of a Roman citizen to be tried before the emperor, here Nero. Festus's puzzlement over a dispute about a dead man said to be alive frames the resurrection as the heart of Paul's case.

Main themes of Acts 25

Acts 25 (KJV)

1Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. 6And 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. 7And 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. 8While 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. 9But 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? 10Then 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. 11For 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. 12Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. 13And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 14And 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: 15About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 16To 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. 17Therefore, 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. 18Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. 21But 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. 22Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 23And 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. 24And 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. 25But 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. 26Of 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. 27For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

Verses to carry from Acts 25

“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.”Acts 25:8

“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.”Acts 25:11

“But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.”Acts 25:19

Reflection

An unbelieving official accidentally named the one question that matters: is Jesus, who was dead, truly alive? Everything in your life bends around the answer. If he rose, no threat is final and no verdict of men is ultimate. Do you live as though the tomb is empty? Let that fact reorder your fears today.

A prayer from Acts 25