Acts 25:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.

NIV: I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.

NASB: I replied to them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any person before the accused meets his accusers face to face, and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges.

CSB: I answered them that it is not the Roman custom to give someone up before the accused faces the accusers and has an opportunity for a defense against the charges.

NLT: I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves.

KJV: To 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.

NKJV: To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’

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.

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.