Acts 25:14-22

14-22 Festus solicits Agrippa to hear the case (continued)

Verses 14-15: After Agrippa and Bernice were there long enough to settle in, Festus brought up Paul’s case to the king Agrippa, recognizing his expertise in Jewish affairs exceeded his own. He laid the foundation as a lingering case that Felix had not resolved, and that “the chief priests and the elders of the Jews” at Jerusalem desired that Festus would pass judgment against Paul (cf. vs. 2-3).

Verses 16-17: Festus did not agree to the Jews’ initial entreaty, explaining the accused would be allowed to “have the accusers face to face,” and have an opportunity to give an answer about the crime with which he is charged. Instead, Festus required the Jews to come to Cæsarea (cf. vs. 4-5) to hear their accusations and Paul’s answer. The Jews as a nation were in subjection to the Romans, and the Roman law took precedence.

Verses 18-19: Festus supposed the Jews would prefer legitimate violations of Romans laws, but rather the accusations were matters of the religious beliefs – “certain questions against him of their own superstition,[1] and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” Festus may not have understood the true significance of this “one Jesus,” but he recognized the controversy between Paul and the Jews revolved around Jesus.

Verses 20-21: Festus was doubtful of the propriety of the objections of the Jewish leaders. When he asked Paul about going up to Jerusalem for trial, Paul appealed as a Roman citizen to be judged by Roman law – “to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus.” Because of this, Festus held Paul over, purposing to send him to Cæsar.[2]

Verse 22: Festus seems to be deferring somewhat to king Agrippa’s knowledge of Jewish customs and laws (cf. v. 26), and how they might figure in to charges in the Roman system. Paul also recognized that Agrippa was an “expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews” (cf. 26:3). Agrippa agrees with Festus that he “would also hear the man myself,” relishing the opportunity to hear about Christianity from one of the primary leaders. They agree to bring Paul in for a hearing the next day, “To morrow.”

---

[1] “their own superstition” (της ιδιας δεισιδαιμονιας), cf. Acts 17:22. The Romans used the term to describe beliefs with which they did not agree. The idea of the resurrection itself was foreign to their own beliefs.
[2] αναπεμπω send, used here as a legal term to transfer to a higher court (cf. Luke 23:7, 11, 15).