“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.”
After spending eight or ten days with them, he went down to Caesarea, and the next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him - Festus takes his time, meeting with the Jerusalem authorities, understanding their concerns, then returns to his seat of power. The eight or ten days suggest negotiation and deliberation; the 'next day' of the sitting shows businesslike procedure. Luke emphasizes that Paul is brought 'before him' (emprosthen autou) - publicly, where witnesses and law prevail.
Church Fathers on Acts 25:6
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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