Acts 25:6-8

6-12 plaintiffs and Paul before Festus in Cæsarea

Verses 6-7: Festus stayed in Jerusalem a little over ten days, then went back down to Cæsarea. Jews from Jerusalem came down to press their charges against Paul. The day after his return, Festus sat on the judgment seat, called Paul in, and brought the case to account. The Jews charged Paul with many serious crimes (“many and grievous complaints”) but Luke adds of them, “which they could not prove.” It was one thing to charge Paul with many serious crimes, but quite another to prove them..

Verse 8: After the Jews rested their case, Paul “answered for himself.” His initial introductory answer gives the flavor of the charges:

• Paul violated the law of Moses (Neither against the law of the Jews)
• Paul profaned the temple (neither against the temple)
• Paul violated Roman law (nor yet against Cæsar)

Paul asserts that he had not offended in regards to any of these charges.