Acts 25 - Paul Undergoes a Sham Trial on Trumped Up Charges!

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(All quotes are from David Guzik of Enduring Word Commentary Unless Otherwise Noted)

Paul's Trial Before Festus

The Jewish, leaders present Paul to the new King Festus to bring their charges against him. They tried to get Festus to transfer Paul to Jerusalem so they could ambush and kill him. Remember these are supposed to be the spiritual leaders of Israel. Since Festus was going to Caesarea, he invited some of the leaders to accompany to visit Paul there. Importantly he says, "If he has done anything wrong, they can bring the charges against him."

Felix was undoubtedly a bad man, but history tells us Festus was a basically good man. He governed well, despite all the problems left him by Felix. 

The religious leaders knew that Paul would be acquitted in any fair trial. Therefore, they didn’t really want Paul to be put on trial again; they wanted to ambush and murder him before the trial could take place. 

These were religious men, religious leaders. Their actions show the danger of religion that is not in true contact with God. If your religion makes you a liar and a murderer, there is something wrong with your religion. 

When Festus got to Caesarea, he had Paul brought before him. The Jewish leaders brought serious charges against Paul but could not substantiate any of them. Paul pleaded his innocence claiming he had done nothing in regard to the Jewish law, or done anything against Caesar as well. 

Festus wanted to take Paul back to Jerusalem, which would have probably meant certain death. But instead, Paul referenced his Roman citizenship and requested to go to go all the way to the Roman emperor, Caesar. Festus had to obey Roman Law, so he said, "You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you will go!"

Rightly and wisely, Paul wanted to avoid martyrdom if he could. He wasn’t afraid to face the lions, but he didn’t want to put his head in a lion’s mouth if he could avoid it.

Paul appealed specifically to Caesar Nero, who was later an notorious enemy of Christians. But the first five years of his reign, under the influence of good men around him, Nero was regarded as a wise and just ruler. Paul had no reason at this time to believe that Nero would be anti-Christian.

It was the right of every Roman citizen to have his case heard by Caesar himself, after initial trials and appeals failed to reach a satisfactory decision. This was in effect an appeal to the supreme court of the Roman Empire.

Festus Consults King Agrippa

The Jewish King Agrippa came to Caesarea with his wife Bernice to pay respect to him. Festus relayed to him what had just happened with the Jewish leaders, who came to charge Paul with many things related to their Jewish religion. Since Festus didn't really understand the Jewish religion, he really didn't know what to do. 

He describes the issue he had with this as, 

"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."

You can see all of these different situations and settings gave Paul the opportunity to preach the gospel. Succinctly put the content of the gospel was Jesus crucified and raised from the dead three days later. Though you think this would be good news to the Jewish people, especially if was true, they only felt threatened by the message and wanted to get rid of the person delivering it. 

When Paul appealed to Caesar, Festus really had no other option but to send him to the Holy Roman Emperor, Caesar. This made King Agrippa very curious, and he asked Festus if he could hear Paul for himself. Festus agreed. 

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.

Bernice was Agrippa’s sister. Secular history records rumors that their relationship was incestuous. Herod Agrippa II didn’t rule over much territory, but he was of great influence because the emperor gave him the right to oversee the affairs of the temple in Jerusalem and the appointment of the high priest.

Agrippa’s curiosity meant that Paul would have another opportunity to speak God’s truth to a Gentile ruler. This would be the third such opportunity for Paul in Acts 24-26 (Felix, Festus, and now Agrippa).

Paul Before Agrippa

The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and circumstance to listen to Paul. Festus explained to Agrippa the circumstances of Paul being referred to him by Festus. He again made it clear that he found nothing to charge Paul with, though the Jewish community wanted him kill him. Therefore, Festus had nothing to write up for Felix. Festus hoped that as Paul testified before King Agrippa, he might have something to write about, for up to this point it was a colossal waste of his time! 

As Paul gets bandied about, he has the opportunity to speak to rulers, authorities, and kings. God was using all of this to his glory!