“But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.”
Festus answered that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and he himself was going there soon - Festus shows immediate judicial independence, refusing the petition and asserting both his authority and Paul's legal protection. His response is measured and proper: he will handle the matter himself according to Roman procedure. Caesarea remains Paul's sanctuary, the seat of Roman power where the law, however imperfect, can provide shelter from lynch justice.
Church Fathers on Acts 25:4
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly there. 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. And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. Acts 25:4-6 But after they came down, they immediately made their accusations…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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