The Acts of the Apostles Acts 25 – Paul’s Defense Before Festus in Caesarea Sunday – August 11, 2019

Porcius Festus: Porcius Festus served as Procurator of the Caesarean province from AD 60 – AD 62. This is an interesting view of a minor Roman governor at work in a most difficult situation. Festus, a welcome contrast, to his vicious predecessor (Josephus, Antiquities XX, viii, 9; XX, ix, 1), and to the equally corrupt Albinus who succeeded him as the procurator. Festus had inherited a load of trouble from Felix. He cleaned up his province of the murderous assassins (though not completely). He inherited the case of Paul from Felix.

Festus traveled to Jerusalem immediately after taking office (25:1-5) The Sanhedrin council met with Festus and rehearses the charges against Paul. The Jews asked Festus to allow Paul to be tried in Jerusalem. Their secret desire was like that of Acts 23:12, to murder Paul on the road. Festus rejected their request and told the Jews to bring their officials and make a formal accusation against Paul in his hearing.

Paul stood before the Jewish officials and Festus in chains. After tarrying in Jerusalem for eight to ten days, Festus returned to Caesarea. The next day, Festus summoned Paul and his accusers as he sat on the “judgment seat” (25:6-7). The judgment seat was “a raised place mounted by steps; a platform, tribune: used of the official seat of a judge” (Thayer). Paul stood before the Jewish officials and Festus in chains. The Jews made their “grievous charges which they could not prove” (25:7). It is likely that the same charges that were previously made against Paul were made again: Paul was an insurrectionist (24:5). Paul was a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes (24:5b). Paul profaned the temple in Jerusalem (24:6).

Paul makes his fourth defense, now before Festus and the Jewish leaders of Jerusalem (25:8): Paul said, “(1) neither against the law of the Jews, (2) nor against the temple, (3) nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all” (25:8, cf. 24:18-19). This statement helps define the accusations against Paul: Being a leader of the “sect of the Nazarenes” was not a violation of Mosaic Law but a fulfilling of the Law and the prophets. Paul never brought a Gentile into the temple. Paul did not stir up riots in Jerusalem and thereby violate Roman laws. Paul peacefully went about in the temple fulfilling a Nazirite vow. The Jews, on their own accord, disturbed the peace by seizing him and publicly beating him.

Paul made his appeal to appear before Caesar’s judgment-seat (25:9-12): Festus, like Felix, tried to appease the Jews by asking Paul if he would be willing to travel to Jerusalem to be tried by him. Felix was replaced because his troops killed many Jews while intervening in civil strife between Jewish and Gentile factions of Caesarea. Felix was called to Rome and was spared execution only because of the intercession of his brother, Pallas. When Felix was called to Rome, the leading Jews from Caesarea traveled to Rome to bear witness against him (Josephus, Antiquities 20:8:9).

Paul made his appeal to appear before Caesar’s judgment-seat (25:9-12): Paul had been at Jerusalem. There was no way that he would receive a fair trial in Jerusalem by Festus if he would not make decisions now. Paul told Festus that he should now judge the matter. Festus knows that Paul is not guilty of any crime worthy of death. Paul proclaims that if such a crime were committed, he would be willing to die for his violations of law; however, no such violation has taken place. Paul appealed to Caesar. Every Roman citizen had this right. Festus conferred with his councilors (24:12), and determines that Paul must be allowed to do so.

Paul made his appeal to appear before Caesar’s judgment-seat (25:9-12): Paul took his case out of the hands of Festus. 1. Note Paul’s desire to see Rome. Acts 19:21; Romans 15:22-28 2. Note the Lord’s promise that he would see Rome. Acts 23:11 3. Note also, Festus conferred with the council. Acts 25:12

King Agrippa and Bernice arrive in Caesarea. (25:13-22) This was King Agrippa II, son of Agrippa I, who had killed the apostle James and died shortly thereafter (Acts 12). In AD 50, the emperor Claudius gave him the kingdom of Chalcis, located in what is now Lebanon, along with the power to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. In AD 53, Agrippa exchanged that kingdom for a larger kingdom located north and east of the Sea of Galilee. Later, in AD 56, his kingdom was increased to include territory west of the Sea of Galilee and a portion of Perea.

King Agrippa and Bernice arrive in Caesarea. (25:13-22) Bernice is the sister of Agrippa II. She had been married to her uncle (brother of Agrippa I), who had ruled over Chalcis before he died and Agrippa II succeeded him. Upon her uncle’s death, she began living with Agrippa II. Historians believe that Bernice and Agrippa lived together having a sexually illicit relationship. The two appear to have traveled to Caesarea to congratulate Festus on his being inaugurated as the new procurator. Agrippa and Bernice tarry in Caesarea for “many days” (25:14). Festus took the opportunity to lay the case of Paul before the king.

Festus speaks to Agrippa about Paul and reviews all that had transpired since he took office. (25:14ff) Festus inherited the case of Paul from Felix (25:14) Festus heard the Jews regarding Paul while in Jerusalem (25:15). The Roman law forbids the sentence of death without the man’s accusers laying the case before his face (25:16). Festus therefore, called the Sanhedrin to Caesarea to make such a face to face accusation against Paul. The Jews came and the next day Festus sat on the judgment seat to oversee the trial (25:17). Festus admitted Paul’s innocence by stating, “they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed; but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive” (25:19). cf. 24:20-21 Paul had confessed that.