What does Acts 25:16 mean?
Paul is uniquely qualified to be the evangelist to the Gentiles. He is from the city of Tarsus on the southeast shore of modern-day Turkey. He is fluent in Greek and familiar with Greek philosophy and Roman culture (Acts 17:22–31; 24:10). His Roman citizenship has already saved him from dishonor (Acts 16:35–40). But he probably didn't realize how handy it would be in Judea. Two years prior, it saved him from being flogged in Jerusalem (Acts 22:23–29). More recently, it saved him from an assassination attempt (Acts 25:3).When the corrupt Governor Felix was replaced by Festus, the new governor wanted to establish good relationships with the local leaders. He hadn't even settled in at his capital in Caesarea Maritima before he traveled to Jerusalem to meet with the Sanhedrin—the ruling council of the Jews (Acts 25:1). Two years prior, the Sanhedrin had tried to first kill (Acts 23:12–15) and then convict Paul of capital crimes (Acts 24:1–9). Felix knew he was innocent, but likely not wishing to send the Sanhedrin over the edge into rebellion, he kept Paul under house arrest (Acts 24:22–27). When Festus went to Jerusalem, the Sanhedrin asked him to bring Paul to Jerusalem for trial; in actuality, they were going to try to kill him again (Acts 25:1–3).
Festus may not have known about the second assassination attempt, but he knew Paul was a Roman citizen and had rights even the Sanhedrin couldn't override. He told them to send representatives to Caesarea so Paul could meet his accusers. They came and gave their charges for which they had no witnesses and no evidence (Acts 25:6–8).
During the trial, Paul appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 25:10–12). This is an appeal to a higher court, in this case located in Rome. Festus must send him but has no official charges. He needs to be able to tell Caesar's court something. Fortunately, King Agrippa II has arrived to give his official welcome. Not only is Agrippa part of a long-standing family in the area—Herod the Great is his grandfather—but he's an expert in Jewish law (Acts 26:3). Festus hopes Agrippa can help.
Acts 25:13–22 relates how the new governor, Festus, draws King Agrippa II into his conundrum. Festus wants to be on good terms with the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, but they want to try Paul for crimes that are obviously baseless. While Festus ponders what to do, Paul appeals his case to Caesar (Acts 25:1–12). But Festus can't send Paul to Rome without formal charges. Agrippa is intrigued and agrees to hear what Paul has to say.
In Acts 25, the new governor, Festus, must clean up Felix's mess. He tries to ingratiate himself with the Sanhedrin but when they ask him to bring Paul to Jerusalem for trial, he refuses. The Sanhedrin agrees to come to Caesarea Maritima, instead, to present their accusations. Festus quickly realizes they don't have a case. Yet when he hesitates to dismiss the charges, Paul appeals the case to a higher court. Festus then invites King Agrippa II, the king's sister Bernice, and the city leaders to hear Paul and determine how to justify Paul's presence before Caesar.