Acts Chapter 25
Freedom is a priceless commodity. It is something that we all want and need but rarely do we think about it until we no longer have it. It would have been prudent for Felix to let Paul go free since he found no fault in him, yet he left him in prison. The Roman governor, Felix, was succeeded by Festus, and he too thought he should find the cause of Paul’s imprisonment by speaking to the Jewish accusers. He made such a great effort to get answers from the Jewish people while he was in Jerusalem.
Let's Reflect
1. What did the Jews want Festus to do for them and why?
2. Festus did not agree to their terms but told them if they had legitimate accusations to be brought forth that they should travel to Caesarea to present them. Some Jews did take that opportunity to go to Caesarea (again) and to make accusations against Paul. What is the phrase at the end of verse 7 that described their accusations?
3. It is unclear what favor Festus thought he would gain from the Jews by giving Paul the choice to be tried in Jerusalem. He had previously vetoed sending Paul to Jerusalem. Perhaps Festus had heard about their plot to kill him, and Festus thought about the fact that he would no longer have to figure out what to do with an innocent man. But Paul in his own defense, and being a Roman citizen himself, asked to be tried before Caesar. Paul knew that the Jews were hoping for a death sentence, and it wasn’t that he was unwilling to die, but he like any other man wanted to prove his innocence. He could not get a fair trial in Jerusalem. What was Festus’ decision?
4. A few days later a dramatic scene is set for the arrival of the king in Caesarea. Paul had not yet been transported to Rome, and when King Agrippa heard the story of the Jewish vendetta to kill Paul, he wanted to hear from Paul himself. According to verse 19 what accusation had been brought against Paul by the Jews?
5. How was the arrival of the king to the tribunal hall described?
6. What did Festus say in his presentation to the king about his conclusions on the matter of Paul? See verse 25.
7. Since Festus thought that Paul was innocent, he thought he should have something to put down on paper to give to the emperor. Festus thought it was good that the case could be presented to the king to get his opinion. Does all of this sound too familiar? It is true what they say that history repeats itself! Paul was trying to do nothing more than to proclaim that Jesus had risen from the dead, and that He was the Messiah. And for that they wanted to murder him.
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