Acts 25 - Paul Appeals to Caesar Heads to Rome to Preach the Gospel!

Click Here to Read or Listen to Acts 25 

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

Festus went to Jerusalem to figure out what the Jewish leaders wanted to do with Paul. Of course, they wanted Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem so they ambush and kill Paul, as they had planned before. But instead of bringing Paul to them, he made them come to Caesarea. As Paul was questioned, he once again simply pled his case that he had done nothing to violate the Jewish or Roman law. If had and he deserved death, so be it. Paul was not afraid to die for the cause of Christ, yet he wanted to be justly tried. 

Paul, as a Roman citizen, demanded to be tried before Caesar, who was in Rome. Paul knew exactly what he was doing, because he wanted to testify to Christ and the resurrection in Rome. Paul didn't "suffer fools gladly". Festus knew this but still conferred with his other leaders, and at the end of the day concluded, "If you want to go to Caesar, to Caesar you will go!" 

Festus Consults King Agrippa

A few days later the Jewish king ,Agrippa and his wife, Bernice, came to pay respects to Festus. 

"Herod Agrippa II ruled a client kingdom of the Roman Empire to the northeast of Festus’ province. Agrippa was known as an expert in Jewish customs and religious matters. Though he did not have jurisdiction over Paul in this case, his hearing of the matter would be helpful for Festus. Of this King Agrippa, his great-grandfather had tried to kill Jesus as a baby; his grandfather had John the Baptist beheaded; his father had martyred the first apostle, James. Now Paul stood before the next in line of the Herods, Herod Agrippa. Bernice was Agrippa’s sister. Secular history records rumors that their relationship was incestuous." - Guzik

Festus recounted Paul's case and why he was not sure what to do with Paul. Note how he sums up the matter, "When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive." verses 18-19

Agrippa wanted to hear from Paul himself, so it was arranged for the next day.

Paul Before Agrippa

Festus sets up the scene as Agrippa and Bernice come in with great pomp and circumstance. We will hear Paul's testimony tomorrow. 

It was important for Luke to record these words of Festus. They clearly state that Festus understood that Paul was innocent.