Acts 25:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar."

NIV: 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."

NASB: But when Paul appealed to be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered that he be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar.'

CSB: But when Paul appealed to be held for trial by the Emperor, I ordered him to be kept in custody until I could send him to Caesar."

NLT: But Paul appealed to have his case decided by the emperor. So I ordered that he be held in custody until I could arrange to send him to Caesar.'

KJV: But 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.

NKJV: But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”

When Festus took over as governor, the Sanhedrin asked him to hold a new trial for Paul in Jerusalem (Acts 25:1–3). The Jewish leaders had presented their charges before the previous governor, Felix, two years before. Felix had refused to give a verdict, instead holding Paul under house arrest until the governor was relieved two years later (Acts 24). The Sanhedrin at least wants Festus to convict Paul of a crime against Roman law. Even better is if Festus would bring Paul out in the open so they can kill him (Acts 25:3).

Because Paul is a Roman citizen and cannot be forced to have his trial in Jerusalem, Festus held a hearing in Caesarea. He quickly realized why Felix had refused to render a decision: Paul hadn't done anything wrong. At the same time, it's not wise to antagonize the spiritual and cultural leaders of a people who really don't want the Romans in their space and will revolt at the drop of a hat. Festus asked Paul if he would allow the trial to take place in Jerusalem. Paul promptly accused Festus of not doing his job and appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 25:5–12).

It is a few days after this trial. Festus is speaking with King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice. He must send Paul to a higher court—Roman law demands it. But he has nothing with which to charge Paul (Acts 25:26). Agrippa's family is from the area—his grandfather is Herod the Great—and he's an expert in the Jewish law and culture (Acts 26:3). Festus hopes Agrippa can identify what offense Paul has committed.

Agrippa agrees to hear Paul's testimony (Acts 25:22). Instead of giving a testimony of his innocence, Paul tells the story of how he met Jesus. Festus, who knows next to nothing about Judaism or Christianity, responds, "Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind" (Acts 26:24). Agrippa, however, seems almost ready to accept Christ for himself (Acts 26:28).

Unfortunately, Agrippa can't help Festus and Festus knows it. They say to each other, "This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment" (Acts 26:31). Agrippa finishes, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (Acts 26:32).

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.

When Felix is called back to Rome to answer for his cruelty, he leaves a bit of a mess. Paul is still under house arrest without charges (Acts 24). When the new governor Festus refuses to exonerate him, Paul appeals to a higher court. Paul is a Roman citizen, so Festus must send him. Yet he still has no formal charges. After inviting King Agrippa II and the city leaders to hear Paul's testimony, they realize Paul has done nothing wrong and should have been released. Paul and Luke survive a harrowing sea voyage but finally arrive at Rome (Acts 27—29).

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.