Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryActs 25

Paul’s Appeal to Caesar before Festus This section describes Paul’s hearing before the new governor, Festus. The Jewish leaders continue to press charges against Paul and hope to have him condemned. Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asks Paul if he will go to Jerusalem for trial. Paul, aware of the danger and injustice, appeals to Caesar in Rome for judgment. This appeal sets the stage for Paul’s journey to Rome. v. 1–5: When Festus becomes governor, he visits Jerusalem, where the Jewish leaders immediately bring up their case against Paul. They ask Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem, planning to ambush and kill him on the way. Festus refuses and says Paul is being held in Caesarea. He invites the Jewish leaders to come there to make their accusations, showing that the case will be handled according to Roman law, not their demands.

v. 6–7: After a short stay, Festus returns to Caesarea and holds a trial the next day. Paul is brought in, and the Jewish leaders stand around him, bringing many serious accusations. However, they cannot prove any of their claims.

v. 8: Paul defends himself, declaring that he has done nothing wrong against the Jewish law, the temple, or against Caesar. He calmly insists on his innocence, stating he has committed no crime.

v. 9–11: Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asks Paul if he is willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial. Paul refuses, knowing his life would be in danger. He appeals to Caesar, the right of a Roman citizen who feels he cannot get justice locally. Paul says if he is guilty of a real crime, he does not refuse to die, but if not, no one has the right to hand him over just to satisfy the Jews.

v. 12: After consulting with his advisors, Festus agrees to Paul’s request and says, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.” Paul’s appeal to Caesar means his case must be heard at the emperor’s court in Rome, and he is sent there, protected from the Jews.

Agrippa’s Visit to Festus; Paul Arraigned before Agrippa This section describes how King Agrippa and his sister Bernice arrived in Caesarea and heard about Paul’s case. Festus, the Roman governor, explains the situation to Agrippa, who then requests to hear Paul himself. Paul is brought before a large audience, and Festus introduces the case, setting the stage for Paul’s next defense. v. 13–14: After Festus had taken over as governor, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to welcome him. During their visit, Festus discussed Paul’s situation with Agrippa. Festus explains that Paul is a prisoner left by the former governor, Felix, and that the Jewish leaders want him condemned.

v. 15–16: Festus tells Agrippa that the Jewish leaders asked for a judgment against Paul. He says that according to Roman law, a person cannot be condemned without being allowed to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.

v. 17–19: Festus recounts how, when the Jewish leaders came to Caesarea, he held a trial. He says they did not accuse Paul of any serious crime as he expected. Instead, their dispute was about religious questions and about a man named Jesus who had died, but whom Paul claimed was alive.

v. 20–21: Festus says he was uncertain about how to judge the matter, so he asked Paul if he wanted to go to Jerusalem for trial. But Paul appealed to have his case heard by the Roman Emperor, so Festus decided to send him to Rome.

v. 22: Agrippa expresses his interest in hearing Paul himself. Festus agrees and says that Paul will be brought before him the next day.

v. 23: The following day, Agrippa and Bernice arrive with great ceremony, accompanied by military officers and important people of the city. Paul is brought in, and Festus presents him before the assembly.

v. 24–27: Festus introduces Paul to Agrippa and the audience. He explains that the Jews have been demanding Paul’s death, but he has found nothing deserving of death in Paul’s actions. Because Paul has appealed to Caesar, Festus must send him to Rome. However, Festus says he does not have any specific charges to write, so he hopes that Agrippa’s hearing will help clarify the case.