Acts 25

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

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 Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.

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.

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

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?

Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

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 Caesar.

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

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:

About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

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.

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.

Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

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.

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 Caesar.

Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

What does Acts 25:10 mean?

Explanation

Acts 25:10 depicts a scene in which the Apostle Paul is addressing Festus, the Roman governor of Judea, who succeeded Felix.

Paul is asserting his right to be judged by the Roman legal system rather than by the Jews, who had accused him of various crimes.

Paul proclaims his innocence regarding the accusations made against him by the Jewish leaders and insists that Festus is aware of this.

By appealing to "Caesar's judgment seat," Paul is invoking his right as a Roman citizen to have his case heard before the emperor in Rome.

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Historical Context

The Book of Acts, written by Luke, provides a historical account of the early Christian church and includes details of Paul's missionary work. Acts 25 is part of the narrative detailing Paul's trials before Roman authorities.

The context is the Roman province of Judea during the first century.

Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem over disputes with Jewish leaders regarding his teachings about Jesus Christ.

Roman citizenship afforded certain legal protections, and by appealing to Caesar, he was seeking a fair trial away from the biased Jewish authorities in Jerusalem.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse illustrates the concept of divine providence, as Paul's legal struggles lead to his journey to Rome, fulfilling his missionary ambition to preach the gospel there.

Paul's appeal to "Caesar's judgment seat" is also seen as a metaphor for the ultimate judgment seat of Christ, where all individuals will be judged fairly based on their actions and faith in Jesus.

Practical Applications

The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking justice and asserting one's rights within the framework of the law. It also teaches Christians the value of trusting in God's plan, even during adversities and legal challenges.

Additionally, it encourages believers to judiciously engage with legal systems while staying true to their convictions.

Cross-References

Romans 13:1 - "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers..."
2 Timothy 4:16-17 - "...at my first answer no man stood with me..."
Acts 23:11 - "And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer..."
Acts 28:16 - "And when we came to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, significant terms include:

"Caesar" (Καίσαρος): Referring to the Roman emperor, who was the ultimate authority in the Roman Empire at the time.
"Judgment seat" (βήματος): Indicates a tribunal or a platform for a judge, emphasizing the formal and legal setting of such an appeal.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Within the broader cultural and religious context of the Roman Empire, it was not uncommon for individuals to appeal to higher authorities for justice when they felt local jurisdictions were prejudiced or corrupt.

Comparatively, in other ancient cultures and religions, such as Judaism, local tribunals and councils (like the Sanhedrin) held significant sway, although Rome maintained the ultimate control in regions they governed.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not directly relate to the verse's content, which focuses on legal and theological matters.

However, modern forensic science has underscored the importance of impartial and fair trials, which aligns with Paul's request to be judged justly by an unbiased authority.

commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary highlights Paul's appeal to Caesar as an example of his wisdom in discerning the plot against him and avoiding the snare laid by the Jews.
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes note that Paul, being innocent, refused to go to Jerusalem, as it would have been to expose his life without necessity.
The Barnes' Notes Commentary mentions the prudence of Paul's appeal which allowed him the opportunity to bear witness in Rome and secured his protection from conspiracies.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges points out the significance of Paul's appeal as being in line with Roman law and a necessary step to further his mission.

Acts 25

Acts 25

What does Acts 25:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 25:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?