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 25:27 mean?

Explanation

Acts 25:27 presents a statement made by the Roman governor Festus, concerning the legal proceedings against the apostle Paul.

Festus is speaking to King Agrippa, telling him that it does not make sense to send a prisoner to the higher authority without specifying the charges against him.

This verse reflects the Roman commitment to legal formalities and the principle that accusations should be clear and substantiated before a defendant is sent for trial.

The verse implies an emphasis on just and reasonable legal proceedings.

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Historical Context

This verse occurs within the narrative of Paul’s trials in the latter part of the Book of Acts.

At this time, Paul is being held as a prisoner in Caesarea, having been accused by Jewish leaders of crimes against the Jewish law, the Temple, and the Roman Empire.

The Roman governor Festus was new to his position and was trying to understand the local customs and the reasons behind Paul's arrest.

In Roman law, it was customary to have specific charges brought before sending a prisoner to stand trial before the emperor, which in this case, would have been Nero.

This verse reflects the Roman legal procedure and the complexities of governance in a province with a mixed population of Jews and Gentiles.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse can demonstrate the divine orchestration in Paul's life and his legal defense. Paul has appealed to Caesar, exercising his rights as a Roman citizen, and Festus’s statement underscores the legal protection offered to him.

Theologically, it could be argued that God is using Roman law and civil justice to fulfill His plan for Paul, including the spread of the Gospel to the heart of the Roman Empire and the testimony before its leaders.

Practical Applications

Acts 25:27 has practical applications regarding the importance of justice and due process in legal proceedings.

The verse reinforces the principle that accusations must be accompanied by evidence and clearly defined charges before one can be judged.

In daily life, this principle can be applied to interpersonal conflicts, workplace disputes, and broader social and legal issues, reminding individuals to avoid unfounded accusations and to seek fairness and transparency in all proceedings.

Cross-References

Acts 23:29: "Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds."
Acts 24:10: "Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:"
Acts 26:2: "I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:"

Language Study

The language underlying Acts 25:27 is Koine Greek, the common language of the Eastern Roman Empire at the time.

The key phrases in this verse include "send a prisoner" (πέμπειν δέσμιον, pempsein desmion) which implies transferring custody, and "to signify the crimes laid against him" (σημαίνων τὰς αἰτίας τὰς κατ' αὐτοῦ, sēmainōn tas aitias tas kat' autou) which means specifying or clearly indicating the charges.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparison to other ancient legal systems, Roman law was known for its sophistication and its emphasis on legal formalities.

Festus's insistence on clarifying the charges reflects Roman legal customs which stood in contrast to the more arbitrary processes found in some other cultures.

Religious comparison shows that, unlike some ancient systems where rulers had absolute power, the Roman legal system provided some rights to the accused, even when they were non-citizens or lower in social status.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives are not directly relevant to this verse.

However, the discussion of legal proceedings might relate to modern forensic science, which also emphasizes the need for evidence and clear charges in legal trials.

Although forensic science is a field that developed much later, the principles of evidence-based accusations have their roots in ancient legal systems as reflected in Acts 25:27.

Commentaries

Commentaries on Acts 25:27 generally highlight the procedural integrity of the Roman legal system and Festus's desire to adhere to its rules. They often discuss Festus's challenge in dealing with a complex case that had more to do with Jewish religious laws than Roman civil law.

Some commentaries might also infer that Festus may have felt unease in managing this politically tumultuous situation and sought counsel from Agrippa, an expert in Jewish customs.

Experts also note the divine providence in Paul's journey, suggesting that this verse displays how God facilitated Paul's eventual trip to Rome to preach the Gospel.

Acts 25

Acts 25

What does Acts 25:27 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 25:27 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?