Acts 25:6-12
6 After Festus had spent no more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered that Paul be brought.
7 After Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many, and serious, charges against him which they could not prove,
8 while Paul said in his own defense, “I have not done anything wrong either against the Law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against Caesar.”
9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?”
10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know.
11 If, therefore, I am in the wrong and have committed something deserving death, I am not trying to avoid execution; but if there is nothing to the accusations which these men are bringing against me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.”
Trial by Festus (1)
Again in Caesarea
“After Festus had spent no more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered that Paul be brought.” (1) Festus returned to Caesarea after a short stay (about ten days) in Jerusalem. Since his visit was for diplomatic goodwill, ten days were sufficient. (2) The next day, in accordance with Roman law, he took his seat at the seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought before him. The “seat on the tribunal” refers to the “judgment seat” and was the official seat of the presiding judge, usually placed in a public setting. Paul was summoned to appear, but for him, this was an opportunity to share the gospel with Festus. (3) The Jews who had come down from Jerusalem brought many serious charges against Paul. These charges were likely a repetition of the accusations made by the lawyer Tertullus (Acts 24:5-6): (a) Offenses against the Law of the Jews, (b) Offenses against the temple, (c) Offenses against Caesar. (4) This time, no Roman orator (lawyer) accompanied them. Instead, the Jews attempted to pressure Festus by relying on their numbers. However, just like before, they were unable to present any evidence. (5) Since the their accusations were weak, Paul only needed to deny them completely. He stated, “I have not done anything wrong either against the Law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against Caesar.” This was a direct denial of the three charges brought against him. (6) Paul’s defense was the same as the one he had given before Felix. At this point, Festus should have declared him innocent, but instead, he sought to gain favor with the Jews and refrained from doing so.
The characteristics of Felix and Festus
(1) Both of them harbored contradictory qualities within themselves. (a) Felix showed interest in the gospel that Paul preached, yet at the same time, he sought to receive a bribe from him. (b) Festus was deeply concerned with presenting the image of a good governor, yet in Paul’s trial, he favored the Jews. (2) Both of them were extremely afraid of angering the high priest and the Jewish leaders. (3) Even in such circumstances, Paul preached the gospel to them. God can use His servants in any situation. We, too, may encounter cunning leaders, but there is no need to fear. Let us realize that we are messengers of the gospel sent by God and boldly share His word.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, You use Your servants in all circumstances. Today, I will boldly proclaim Your word as the messenger of the gospel. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.