Acts 25
27 verses
Festus's arrival in Caesarea as the new governor precipitates the Sanhedrin's renewed pressure for Paul's transfer to Jerusalem (where they plan to ambush and kill him), and Paul's appeal to Caesar—a Roman citizen's right that cannot be denied—removes the case from local jurisdiction and ensures the apostle's arrival at the imperial seat. Festus's perplexity about the charges—they do not hold the charges I have expected, but have to do with their own religion and about a certain Jesus who is dead, but Paul asserts to be alive—illustrates the Roman governor's bafflement at a religious controversy that seems divorced from criminal law. Agrippa and Bernice's arrival at Caesarea to greet Festus provides the occasion for Paul's defense before the king, and Festus's characterization of Paul as one whose accusers have not proven their case yet who has appealed to Caesar establishes the ambiguity that will continue until Paul's appearance before the imperial judgment.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
When we read this alongside the surrounding chapters, the narrative arc becomes clear: God is always working redemption,...
1
Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem.
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2
Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
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3
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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4
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
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5
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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6
And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
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7
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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8
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended any thing at all.
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9
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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10
Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar’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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11
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 Cesar.
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12
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go.
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Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is fa...
13
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea to salute Festus.
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14
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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15
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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16
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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Now I understand why — it's a daily declaration of dependence on God.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. This conn...
17
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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18
Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
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19
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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20
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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21
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 Cesar.
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22
Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
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23
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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24
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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Following God is costly, but the reward is eternal.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every ci...
25
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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26
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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27
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
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