Acts 25:14-21

14Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.

15When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.

16“I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.

17When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.

18When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.

19Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.

20I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.

21But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”