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 25:20 mean?

Explanation

Acts 25:20 refers to a situation in which the Roman governor of Judea, Festus, is narrating to King Agrippa II his dilemma concerning what to do with the Apostle Paul, who had been left in prison by his predecessor, Felix.

The verse comes from a first-person account where Festus is expressing his uncertainty about how to handle the accusations against Paul brought by Jewish religious leaders.

The "doubt" Festus refers to is about matters of Jewish religious law which are unfamiliar to him and unrelated to Roman civil law.

Hence, Festus inquires of Paul if he is willing to go to Jerusalem to have these religious disputes settled there, perhaps before a Jewish court.

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Historical Context

Acts 25:20 is set in the time period around 59-60 A.D. during the early Christian church.

At this time, Judea was under Roman occupation, with Roman governors appointed to oversee legal matters.

The Jews, under Roman rule, were still permitted to practice their religious customs and had certain autonomy in religious affairs.

Paul had been imprisoned in Caesarea, and his case had become a political and religious issue, with the Jewish leaders seeking his condemnation for preaching about Jesus Christ, which they considered blasphemy.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse underscores the early tensions between the nascent Christian movement and traditional Jewish authorities.

This encounter also illustrates God's providence in Paul's journey, as his appeal to Caesar (a right he had as a Roman citizen) and the curiosity of Festus provided an avenue for Paul to testify about Christianity to the highest officials, thus further spreading the Gospel.

Practical Applications

One practical application of this verse might lie in the recognition of the complexity of legal and religious systems.

Believers can be reminded to respect the rule of law and understand that following one's faith might sometimes require navigating through and engaging with unfamiliar or complex civil systems.

Cross-References

Acts 24:27 – "But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix's room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound."
Acts 25:9-12 – Here Paul asserts his right as a Roman citizen to have his case heard by Caesar, rather than being judged by a local tribunal in Jerusalem, which Festus initially suggests.
Acts 26:1-3 – Festus explains the situation to King Agrippa, seeking his counsel on the matter.

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key terms in this verse warrant closer examination:

"Doubted" (ἀπορούμενος, aporoumenos) has a connotation of being at a loss, perplexed, or uncertain, reflecting Festus's confusion over Jewish religious law.
"Manner" (περὶ τῆς ζητήσεως, peri tēs zētēseōs) refers to the nature or kind of inquiry or questions Paul's case involved.
"Questions" (ζητημάτων, zētēmatōn) indicates the subjects or issues of debate, which were theological matters beyond Festus’s authority or expertise.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader ancient world, such as in the Roman Empire, it was common for local customs and religious practices to coexist with the overarching Roman legal system.

In comparison with other religious systems, Jewish legal and religious matters were often adjudicated by local Sanhedrins, which were somewhat analogous to courts that handled various cultural and religious issues within other polytheistic societies.

Scientific Perspectives

The verse does not directly involve scientific perspectives, but the application of forensic oratory and legal practices might be of interest from a socio-legal scientific viewpoint, particularly how ancient legal systems encompassed both civil and religious matters, unlike contemporary secular legal systems which often maintain a separation of church and state.

Commentaries

Commentators typically focus on the legal and political situation reflected in this verse.

While some may emphasize how Festus’s predicament illustrates the complexities of governance in a multi-cultural and religious setting, others might focus on the providential aspect of Paul's situation, highlighting that it allowed for the Gospel to be shared with Roman authorities.

Most commentators agree that this passage highlights the initial spread of Christianity and the various social, religious, and political challenges early Christians faced.

Acts 25

Acts 25

What does Acts 25:20 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 25:20 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?