'But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.' - Festus reports Paul's appeal and his compliance: once invoked, the appeal binds the magistrate. The order to 'hold' (tērein, tērein-'to keep, guard') Paul until the Emperor decides is both protective and binding. The appeal short-circuits local politics and locates the final decision in Rome's supreme authority. Luke marks this as the fulfillment of Jesus's promise (23:11): Paul will testify in Rome.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse