Acts 25:9-12

6-12 plaintiffs and Paul before Festus in Cæsarea

 Verses 9-10: Festus, as a politician and new governor, wished to curry favor with the Jews. It was the Jews desire to get Paul back to Jerusalem, though the reason was unknown to Festus (cf. verses 2-3). Therefore, he asked whether Paul was willing to go back to Jerusalem and be judged by the Jews. Here “before me” appears to refer to “the charges brought before me today” rather than the idea that he would be judged before Festus in Jerusalem. If agreed upon, it would take place under the imprimatur of Festus, but the judgment made by the Jews. If the Jews were able to execute their plain, there would be no judgment at all. Paul stood his ground. As a Jew he had done nothing wrong – to which he adds to Festus, “as thou very well knowest.” As a Roman citizen, he had the right to judgment under the Roman judicial system.

Verses 11-12: Paul’s appeal to Cæsar. Paul was courageous to stand judgment under Roman law – knowing he had done nothing wrong, and willing to suffer their punishment if they thought he had. “I appeal unto Cæsar…unto Cæsar shalt thou go.” Paul’s appealing to Cæsar was lawful, and God used this as a means to bring Paul to Rome. Some interpreters claim that Paul made a mistake – first, in trusting to the Roman legal system rather than God; and second, in making a legal mistake that prevented Festus from freeing him. However, compare again Matthew 10:17-20.

and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

By God’s providence this appeal set in motion the trip of Paul to Rome – his desire (Romans 1:9-13) and God’s promise (Acts 23:11). He might not travel the best cruise line, but it wouldn’t cost Paul (or the churches) one thin dime.

“God puts it into his heart to do it, for the bringing about of that which he had said to him, that he must bear witness to Christ at Rome, for there the emperor’s court was, ch. 23 11.” Matthew Henry, Commentary

 

“…it was ordered in divine Providence, that he should appeal to Caesar, that he might go to Rome, and there bear a testimony for Christ…” John Gill, Exposition

Agrippa’s statement in Acts 26 (31-32) indicates (1) Paul had engaged in nothing criminal [official recognition of innocence] (2) Paul’s appeal could not/should not be set aside.