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 25:6 mean?

Explanation

The verse Acts 25:6 recounts a specific moment in the legal proceedings of the apostle Paul.

The "he" that is referred to is Festus, the Roman governor of Judea.

Having arrived to take over the governorship, Festus inherited the unresolved case of Paul, who had been accused by Jewish leaders of various crimes, including sedition against Rome.

Festus remained in Jerusalem for over ten days before returning to Caesarea, which was the administrative center of Roman governance in the region.

Upon his return, he promptly ordered Paul to be brought before him for a trial.

The judgment seat, also known in Latin as the 'tribunal,' was where Roman officials would sit in order to hear cases and render legal judgments.

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Historical Context

The events in Acts 25:6 take place within the context of the early Christian church and its interactions with both Jewish authorities and the Roman Empire.

At this point, the governance of Judea had changed hands from Felix to Festus, around AD 59 or 60.

Caesarea, being the seat of the Roman governor in Judea, was the hub of political power where important trials would take place, particularly for cases that involved issues of imperial significance or Roman citizens, as was the case with Paul who was a Roman citizen.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse underscores the sovereignty of God in the affairs of men, as Paul's circumstances brought him before rulers to bear witness of Christ.

Christian theology often sees the trials and defenses of Paul as opportunities he used to preach the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, including rulers and influential leaders.

Different theological interpretations might emphasize God's hand in protecting Paul and guiding the course of events to spread Christianity beyond the bounds of Judaism and further into the Greco-Roman world.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of this verse might include the exhortation to trust in God's timing and plan, even in difficult circumstances.

Believers are encouraged to be ready to give a defense of their faith no matter the situation and to respect governing authorities as Paul did, seeing each as an opportunity to witness.

It also serves as a reminder that justice, although humanly administered, is ultimately under God's control.

Cross-References

Acts 24:27: "But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound."
Acts 25:10: "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."
Acts 26:32: "Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar."

Language Study

In this verse, "tarried" translates from the Greek word "diatribō," which suggests spending time or delaying.

"Judgment seat," in the original Greek, is "bēma," indicating a platform or elevated place where official judgments were pronounced.

Finally, "commanded" connects to the Greek "keleuō" meaning to order or direct with authority.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparison to other ancient cultures might highlight similarities in judicial practices across different civilizations.

For example, the Roman judicial system had a structured method of dealing with citizens and non-citizens, which can be seen mirrored in varying forms in other ancient cultures such as the Greeks or Egyptians.

Religious comparisons might look at how different belief systems interpret divine providence and human law.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives are not directly applicable to the interpretation of this verse.

However, one might consider the disciplines of archaeology and forensic anthropology in understanding the historical and cultural context of the Roman justice system more vividly.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries address the significance of this verse.

For example, Matthew Henry's Commentary notes the procedural nature of Roman justice and Paul's persistent defense of his actions and faith.

The Pulpit Commentary discusses the switch in governance between Felix and Festus and its implications for Paul's situation.

Adam Clarke's Commentary emphasizes the readiness of Paul to present himself before the judgment seat and his unwavering commitment to his mission and faith despite his circumstances.

Acts 25

Acts 25

What does Acts 25:6 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 25:6 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?