Paul's Trial Before Festus
1Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6And 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. 7And 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. 8While 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. 9But 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?
Paul Appeals to Caesar
10Then 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. 11For 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. 12Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
Festus Consults King Agrippa
13And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 14And 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: 15About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 16To 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. 17Therefore, 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. 18Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. 21But 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. 22Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice
23And 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. 24And 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. 25But 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. 26Of 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. 27For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Paul’s Trial before Festus
1 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him, 3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem; plotting to kill him on the way. 4 However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly. 5 “Let them therefore,” said he, “that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”
6 When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. 7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove, 8 while he said in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.” 9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?”
Paul Appeals to Caesar
10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well. 11 For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”
Festus Consults Agrippa
13 Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus. 14 As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; 15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him. 16 To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him. 17 When therefore they had come together here, I didn’t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought. 18 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed; 19 but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
Paul before Agrippa and Bernice
23 So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him. 26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him.”
Paul’s Trial before Festus
1 Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, 2 where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus 3 to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.
4 But Festus replied, “Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. 5 So if this man has done anything wrong, let some of your leaders come down with me and accuse him there.”
6 After spending no more than eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he sat on the judgment seat and ordered that Paul be brought in. 7 When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.
8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”
9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”
Paul Appeals to Caesar
10 Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
12 Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
Festus Consults Agrippa
13 After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were staying several days, Festus laid out Paul’s case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison. 15 While I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and elders of the Jews presented their case and requested a judgment against him. 16 I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.
17 So when they came here with me, I did not delay. The next day I sat on the judgment seat and ordered that the man be brought in. 18 But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 Since I was at a loss as to how to investigate these matters, I asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there on these charges. 21 But when Paul appealed to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”
“Tomorrow you will hear him,” Festus declared.
Paul before Agrippa and Bernice
23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium, along with the commanders and leading men of the city. And Festus ordered that Paul be brought in.
24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him, both here and in Jerusalem, crying out that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.
26 I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign one about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write. 27 For it seems unreasonable to me to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”
Paul's Trial Before Festus
1Festus, therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea, 2and the chief priest and the principal men of the Jews made manifest to him the things against Paul, and were calling on him, 3asking favour against him, that he may send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambush to put him to death in the way. 4Then, indeed, Festus answered that Paul is kept in Caesarea, and himself is about speedily to go on thither, 5'Therefore those able among you -- saith he -- having come down together, if there be anything in this man -- let them accuse him;'
6and having tarried among them more than ten days, having gone down to Caesarea, on the morrow having sat upon the tribunal, he commanded Paul to be brought; 7and he having come, there stood round about the Jews who have come down from Jerusalem -- many and weighty charges they are bringing against Paul, which they were not able to prove, 8he making defence -- 'Neither in regard to the law of the Jews, nor in regard to the temple, nor in regard to Caesar -- did I commit any sin.' 9And Festus willing to lay on the Jews a favour, answering Paul, said, 'Art thou willing, to Jerusalem having gone up, there concerning these things to be judged before me?'
Paul Appeals to Caesar
10and Paul said, 'At the tribunal of Caesar I am standing, where it behoveth me to be judged; to Jews I did no unrighteousness, as thou dost also very well know; 11for if indeed I am unrighteous, and anything worthy of death have done, I deprecate not to die; and if there is none of the things of which these accuse me, no one is able to make a favour of me to them; to Caesar I appeal!' 12then Festus, having communed with the council, answered, 'To Caesar thou hast appealed; to Caesar thou shalt go.'
Festus Consults King Agrippa
13And certain days having passed, Agrippa the king, and Bernice, came down to Caesarea saluting Festus, 14and as they were continuing there more days, Festus submitted to the king the things concerning Paul, saying, 'There is a certain man, left by Felix, a prisoner, 15about whom, in my being at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid information, asking a decision against him, 16unto whom I answered, that it is not a custom of Romans to make a favour of any man to die, before that he who is accused may have the accusers face to face, and may receive place of defence in regard to the charge laid against him. 17They, therefore, having come together -- I, making no delay, on the succeeding day having sat upon the tribunal, did command the man to be brought, 18concerning whom the accusers, having stood up, were bringing against him no accusation of the things I was thinking of, 19but certain questions concerning their own religion they had against him, and concerning a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive; 20and I, doubting in regard to the question concerning this, said, If he would wish to go on to Jerusalem, and there to be judged concerning these things -- 21but Paul having appealed to be kept to the hearing of Sebastus, I did command him to be kept till I might send him unto Caesar.' 22And Agrippa said unto Festus, 'I was wishing also myself to hear the man;' and he said, 'To-morrow thou shalt hear him;'
Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice
23on the morrow, therefore -- on the coming of Agrippa and Bernice with much display, and they having entered into the audience chamber, with the chief captains also, and the principal men of the city, and Festus having ordered -- Paul was brought forth. 24And Festus said, 'King Agrippa, and all men who are present with us, ye see this one, about whom all the multitude of the Jews did deal with me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out, He ought not to live any longer; 25and I, having found him to have done nothing worthy of death, and he also himself having appealed to Sebastus, I decided to send him, 26concerning whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord, wherefore I brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that the examination having been made, I may have something to write; 27for it doth seem to me irrational, sending a prisoner, not also to signify the charges against him.'
Paul’s Appeal to Caesar
¹ Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
² There the chief priests and the leaders of the Jews presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus,
³ asking as a favor to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, because they were preparing to ambush and kill him along the way.
⁴ But Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.
⁵ Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”
⁶ After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day, he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him.
⁷ When Paul appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.
⁸ Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law, against the temple, or against Caesar.”
⁹ Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”
¹⁰ Paul answered, “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done anything wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.
¹¹ If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
¹² After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
Festus Consults King Agrippa
¹³ A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.
¹⁴ Since 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.
¹⁵ When 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 had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.
¹⁷ So when they came here with me, I did not delay the case. The next day, I convened the court and ordered the man to be brought in.
¹⁸ When his accusers stood up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.
¹⁹ Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus, whom Paul claimed was alive.
²⁰ I 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.
²¹ But 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.”
²² Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”
“He will speak to you tomorrow,” Festus replied.
Paul Before Agrippa
²³ The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
²⁴ Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.
²⁵ I found he had done nothing deserving death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor, I decided to send him to Rome.
²⁶ But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write.
²⁷ For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”
Footnotes:
25:3: The Jewish leaders’ plot to ambush and kill Paul shows the extreme measures they were willing to take to eliminate him, even after two years of failed attempts.
25:6: Festus’s decision to hold Paul’s trial in Caesarea, instead of yielding to the pressure to move it to Jerusalem, demonstrates his desire to uphold Roman legal customs.
25:11: Paul’s bold appeal to Caesar, the highest authority, was a strategic move, likely both to protect his life and to continue his mission by bringing the gospel to Rome.
25:19: Festus’s description of the dispute about Jesus highlights the central claim of Christianity—the resurrection of Jesus—and how strange this concept seemed to Roman authorities.
25:22: Agrippa’s interest in hearing Paul shows that Paul’s case had become a matter of significant political and cultural interest, drawing in prominent figures of the time.
25:23: The grand entrance of Agrippa and Bernice “with great pomp” shows how high-profile this case had become. Paul, a humble prisoner, was now the center of attention in front of powerful rulers.
25:27: Festus’s admission that he had no solid charges against Paul reflects the difficulty the Romans had in understanding or dealing with internal Jewish disputes, especially concerning theological matters.
