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 25:21 mean?

Explanation

Acts 25:21 details a stage in the Apostle Paul's trials and tribulations as he spread the Christian faith.

In this verse, the Roman governor Festus is speaking about Paul's appeal to have his case heard by the Roman Emperor, who at the time of the narrative was Nero, referred to as "Augustus." This title was commonly used for Roman Emperors, stemming from the first Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus.

Paul, being a Roman citizen, exercised his right to appeal to the highest court, the Emperor himself, for a trial.

Festus respects this right, and thus, he is keeping Paul in custody until arrangements can be made for his transfer to Rome.

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Historical Context

Acts 25 takes place in the ancient Roman province of Judea, during the first century A.D., under the rule of Emperor Nero.

Festus was the Roman procurator of Judea succeeding Felix.

Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem and then brought to Caesarea for trial.

Paul's appeal to "Augustus" (Nero) was a strategic move, as Roman citizens had the legal right to appeal their cases directly to the Emperor.

This verse underscores how Roman legal procedures and citizenship rights were utilized by early Christian figures.

Theological Insights

This verse highlights God's sovereignty, as it depicts Paul being brought closer to Rome, which aligns with God’s plan for him to spread the Gospel there (as suggested in Acts 23:11).

Paul's faith in divine providence and confidence in his Roman rights demonstrate a convergence of secular authority and divine will.

Moreover, theological discussions often take into account the principle of Christians utilizing available legal protections to advance their ministry while maintaining respect for governmental structures.

Practical Applications

"Acts 25:21" provides believers with a model for engaging with civil authority.

Christians are encouraged to know their rights and use legal avenues when necessary. Paul's actions teach that one can be a law-abiding citizen while also being a devout Christian.

Thus, this verse can inspire individuals to act wisely and navigate within their legal systems for the sake of justice and their mission.

Cross-References

Acts 23:11 – "And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."
Acts 26:32 – "Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar."
Acts 28:16 – "And when we came to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him."

Language Study

Key phrases in Acts 25:21, when examined from the Greek manuscript, provide insights:

"appealed" (επικαλεσαμενου - epikalesamenou) connotes calling upon a higher authority for aid.
"reserved" (τηρεισθαι - tēreisthai) implies protective custody, suggesting legal supervision without a guilty verdict.
"Augustus" (Σεβαστον - Sebaston) is the Greek equivalent of the Latin title Augustus, signifying the revered or venerated one, a title used for emperors.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

This verse can be compared with other ancient practices where individuals could appeal to a higher authority or king for a fair hearing, akin to making an appeal in the courts of Pharaoh in Egypt or the kings of Babylon.

It demonstrates the Roman Empire's complex legal system that was advanced for its time and gave citizens specific rights, resonating with principles found in other legal traditions.

Scientific Perspectives

The scientific perspectives are not directly applicable to this verse, as it deals with legal and historical aspects of Paul's journey.

However, forensic sciences or historical geography could provide context on the legal processes and the route Paul would have taken from Judea to Rome.

Commentaries

Commentators have generally viewed this verse as a confirmation of Roman legal systems being used by Paul to further his evangelistic mission.

They discuss how Paul's rights as a Roman citizen afforded him protections that advanced the spread of the Gospel and ensured that he would reach Rome.

Theological experts also assert that this event was part of God's divine plan, as it fulfilled earlier prophecies about Paul's witness in Rome.

Acts 25

Acts 25

What does Acts 25:21 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 25:21 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?