Large assembly

The next day, a large assembly was held in the auditorium. This was not a trial but a hearing to gather information necessary for the legal proceedings. (1) Festus used this hearing as an opportunity to exalt Agrippa and Bernice. (a) Agrippa and Bernice arrived in great splendor, dressed in magnificent attire. (b) They were accompanied by the five commanders of the Roman cohorts stationed in Caesarea. (c) The city’s leading officials were also present, most of whom were Gentiles. (d) They all entered the auditorium within the governor’s palace. (e) Finally, Paul was brought in, bound in chains. (2) Luke was not an invited guest, but it is likely that he was present. Paul’s friends were permitted to care for him, allowing Luke to gather firsthand records of the trial proceedings in Caesarea. (3) Festus delivered an opening speech, which was almost identical to what he had told Agrippa the previous day. (a) The Jews had insisted that Paul must not be allowed to live any longer. (b) However, Festus had found no guilt in him. (c) Since Paul had appealed to the emperor, Festus had decided to send him to Rome. But he was troubled because there were no formal charges to write in the report. (d) Therefore, he decided to examine Paul once again to gather new information. In particular, since King Agrippa was well-versed in Jewish law, Festus sought his assistance in the matter.

Meaningless time

Agrippa and Bernice arrived in great splendor, adorned in garments decorated with gold, silver, and pearls, dazzling the eyes of those who beheld them. However, this was merely an outward display of beauty. In contrast, Paul stood before them in humble clothing, yet from within him radiated a true and genuine dignity. We must cultivate the ability to discern what is truly valuable. For Paul, this hearing was nothing more than a meaningless interrogation. In our lives, too, there are times when we face circumstances that seem nothing but unfortunate. Even in such moments, the key to living without losing hope is to fix our eyes on God’s grace. Let’s consider Paul’s case: (1) During his two years of imprisonment in Caesarea, Paul was able to maintain a close relationship with the Lord. His prison became a place of devotion and quiet reflection. (2) During this time, Paul’s spiritual depth grew even greater. This is evident when we read the letters he wrote while in prison – Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Let us also experience the power of grace at work in the midst of trials.