Verse

Acts 26:32

ESV And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."
NIV Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."
NASB And Agrippa said to Festus, 'This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.'
CSB Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar."
NLT And Agrippa said to Festus, 'He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.'
KJV Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
NKJV Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

What does Acts 26:32 mean?

When Festus took over as governor, he resolved to have a good relationship with the local leadership. His first stop after arriving in his capital of Caesarea Maritima was Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin, still angry that Paul had been out of their grasp, quickly pushed their agenda. They asked Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem for trial, planning to assassinate him along the way. Festus knew that Paul was a Roman citizen and had the right to choose where his trial would be, so he countered by inviting them to Caesarea where Paul had been placed under house arrest two years prior (Acts 25:1–5).

Festus knows very little about Judaism, Christianity, or the Jewish culture. From where he stood, he couldn't see anything valid in the Sanhedrin's accusations against Paul. But he still wanted to accommodate their request, so he asked Paul if he wouldn't mind moving the trial to Jerusalem. Paul scolded Festus, saying if he couldn't perform his legal duties and hold the trial in Caesarea, Paul would take advantage of his rights as a Roman citizen and move the trial to Caesar's court in Rome (Acts 25:6–12).

Festus will send Paul to Caesar, but he must also have legal charges. He's asked King Agrippa II and the leaders of Caesarea to hear Paul's testimony and determine what he should tell Caesar's court (Acts 25:23). The decision is obvious: "This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment" (Acts 26:31).

Agrippa's words are true, but God has a reason for Paul's appeal. Two years prior Jesus had told Paul, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome" (Acts 23:11). Paul knows it's time to go to Rome, as he's wished to for years (Romans 1:9–10). To get there, he will survive a violent storm, a shipwreck, murderous guards, and a snakebite. When he arrives, the reception of the Jews will not be as enthusiastic as he wished. But he will share the story of Jesus with members of Caesar's household and write letters to Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and Philemon. And two years later, he will finally be free (Acts 27—28).
Expand
Context Summary
Acts 26:24–32 records Governor Felix and King Agrippa II reacting to Paul's testimony. He has just finished giving account of how he accepted Christ and dedicated his life to spreading the gospel. Festus thinks Paul has gone insane. Agrippa understands Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, but he can't accept the personal implications. What they all agree on, however, is that Paul shouldn't be imprisoned. If he hadn't appealed to Caesar, he should have been freed.
Expand
Chapter Summary
Acts 26 records Paul's testimony before the noblemen of Caesarea Maritima, as well as their reactions. He explains that Jewish leaders want him dead because he once persecuted the church, but now believes Jesus rose from the dead and has been spreading that message. Governor Festus thinks Paul has gone mad. King Agrippa II, however, finds his story compelling. They realize that had Paul not appealed to a higher Roman court, they could have let him go.
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: