Acts 25:1-27

25:1-5 | Paul had to start over with his defense – Festus wanted to hear the facts for himself, so a new hearing was arranged.

25:6-7 | After 10 days in Jerusalem, Festus returned to Caesarea and immediately convened a hearing the next day to have Paul examined. Presumably, the Jews brought the same charges against Paul this time that they had two years earlier when Felix was in charge.

25:12 | Those accused of serious crimes had the right to appeal to Caesar. This was one of the safeguards in the Roman legal system. The Caesar at the time was Nero, who would be remembered for burning down the city of Jerusalem and using Christians as human torches in his garden.

25:13-22 | Festus cited the resurrection of Jesus as being a central element in the Jews’ accusations against Paul. Then, as now, more people stumble over the Resurrection than any other doctrine. King Agrippa had no doubt heard about Paul but had not met him personally. The king wanted to hear Paul speak, so Festus promised to arrange an interview with Paul for the following day.

25:18 | God’s sovereignty through the life of Paul can be seen from beginning to end. Festus, although partial to the Jewish leaders for political reasons, was apparently an honest judge, in sharp distinction to Felix.

25:22 | Agrippa II was the brother of Drusilla, Felix’s wife. He was responsible during much of his rule for appointing the high priests. Although he was Jewish by religion, the Jews disliked him and when rebellion started in 66 AD, he sided unwaveringly with Rome. He was a major political and religious force within Judaism, and Paul’s message piqued his interest.

25:23-27 | Agrippa’s goal in the meeting was to satisfy his curiosity, while Festus’ goal was to get Agrippa’s help in finding a means to accuse Paul when he was sent to Rome. Festus’ original failure to set Paul free caused the governor to become more deeply mired in his political maneuverings.