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Pablo apela a César

25 Tres días después de que Festo llegó a la provincia, fue de Cesarea a Jerusalén. Los principales sacerdotes y los judíos más influyentes se presentaron ante él, y hablaron en contra de Pablo. Como un favor especial, le pidieron que ordenara trasladar a Pablo a Jerusalén. Y es que ellos ya habían planeado tenderle una emboscada y matarlo en el camino. Festo les dijo que Pablo estaba custodiado en Cesarea, adonde él mismo partiría en breve. Les dijo: «Si algunos de ustedes pueden acompañarme, háganlo. Y si este hombre ha cometido algún crimen, acúsenlo allí.»

Festo se detuvo en Jerusalén unos ocho o diez días; luego fue a Cesarea, y al día siguiente se sentó en el tribunal y mandó traer a Pablo. Cuando Pablo llegó, lo rodearon los judíos que habían ido desde Jerusalén. Presentaron en su contra muchas y graves acusaciones, pero no pudieron probar ninguna. Pablo, en su defensa, dijo: «Yo no he cometido ningún delito. Ni contra la ley de los judíos, ni contra el templo, ni contra el emperador.» Pero Festo, que se quería congraciar con los judíos, le preguntó: «¿Prefieres ir a Jerusalén, para que seas juzgado de todo esto delante de mí?» 10 Y Pablo respondió: «Yo estoy ante el tribunal del emperador, y es en este tribunal donde debo ser juzgado. Como tú bien sabes, en nada he agraviado a los judíos. 11 Si he cometido algo que merezca la pena de muerte, no me rehúso a morir. Pero si las acusaciones que se me hacen no tienen sustento, nadie puede entregarme a ellos. ¡Yo apelo al emperador!» 12 Entonces Festo habló con el consejo y, después de consultar con ellos, respondió: «Puesto que has apelado al emperador, ante el emperador comparecerás.»

Pablo ante Agripa y Berenice

13 Algunos días después, el rey Agripa y su hermana Berenice fueron a Cesarea para saludar a Festo. 14 Allí pasaron muchos días, así que Festo le expuso al rey el caso de Pablo. Le dijo: «Félix dejó preso a cierto hombre, 15 contra el cual los principales sacerdotes y los ancianos de los judíos presentaron acusaciones. Cuando fui a Jerusalén, éstos se presentaron y me exigieron que lo condenara. 16 Yo les respondí que los romanos no acostumbran condenar a muerte a nadie, si quienes lo acusan no están presentes. Es decir, para que el acusado pueda defenderse. 17 Entonces todos ellos se presentaron, y yo actué sin tardanza. Al día siguiente ocupe mi lugar en el tribunal, y mandé traer a ese hombre. 18 Sus acusadores, aunque estaban presentes, no presentaron ninguno de los cargos que yo pensaba que harían; 19 lo que tenían contra él eran, más bien, algunas cuestiones acerca de su religión y de un tal Jesús, ya muerto, del que Pablo afirma que está vivo. 20 Como yo tenía mis dudas acerca de estas cuestiones, le pregunté si prefería ir a Jerusalén y ser juzgado allá; 21 pero Pablo pidió que se le retuviera, apelando a que el emperador mismo conociera su caso. Entonces di órdenes de que lo custodiaran mientras lo remitía al emperador.» 22 Agripa dijo entonces a Festo: «También yo quiero oír a ese hombre.» Y Festo le respondió: «Pues mañana mismo lo oirás.»

23 Al día siguiente, Agripa y Berenice se presentaron en medio de gran ostentación, y entraron en la audiencia con los tribunos y los principales hombres de la ciudad. Festo mandó entonces que llevaran a Pablo, 24 y dijo: «Rey Agripa, y señores que nos acompañan: Fíjense en este hombre. Aquí y en Jerusalén un gran número de judíos me ha pedido a gritos que lo condene a muerte. 25 Yo no he hallado en él nada que merezca la pena de muerte. Y como él mismo ha apelado al emperador, he decidido remitirlo a él. 26 Como no tengo nada concreto que pueda escribir a mi señor, lo he traído ante ustedes, y principalmente ante ti, rey Agripa, para que lo examines, y así tenga yo algo qué escribir. 27 Ciertamente no me parece razonable enviar a un preso, y no informar de qué se le acusa.»

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus(A) went up from Caesarea(B) to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul.(C) They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.(D) Festus answered, “Paul is being held(E) at Caesarea,(F) and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court(G) and ordered that Paul be brought before him.(H) When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him,(I) but they could not prove them.(J)

Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple(K) or against Caesar.”

Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor,(L) said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”(M)

10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews,(N) as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”(O)

12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea(P) to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.(Q) 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him(R) and asked that he be condemned.

16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.(S) 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.(T) 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute(U) with him about their own religion(V) and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.(W) 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”(X)

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”

He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”(Y)

Paul Before Agrippa(Z)

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice(AA) came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community(AB) has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.(AC) 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death,(AD) but because he made his appeal to the Emperor(AE) I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”

Paul Appeals to Caesar

25 Now three days after Festus had arrived in (A)the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews (B)laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul[a] that he summon him to Jerusalem—because (C)they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on (D)the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him (E)that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither (F)against (G)the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor (H)against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, (I)wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's (J)tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. (K)I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice

13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, (L)“There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case (M)against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 (N)I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone (O)before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 (P)So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on (Q)the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they (R)had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about (S)a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I (T)asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But (U)when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of (V)the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then (W)Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”

23 So on the next day (X)Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom (Y)the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, (Z)shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that (AA)he had done nothing deserving death. And (AB)as he himself appealed to (AC)the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 25:3 Greek him

Paul Appeals to Caesar

25 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from (A)Caesarea to Jerusalem. (B)Then the [a]high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—(C)while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see (D)if there is any fault in him.”

And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about (E)and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, while he answered for himself, (F)“Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”

But Festus, (G)wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, (H)“Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”

10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 (I)For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. (J)I appeal to Caesar.”

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

Paul Before Agrippa

13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. 14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: (K)“There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, 15 (L)about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. 16 (M)To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man [b]to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ 17 Therefore when they had come together, (N)without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I [c]supposed, 19 (O)but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 21 But when Paul (P)appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”

22 Then (Q)Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”

“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”

23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great [d]pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command (R)Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom (S)the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was (T)not fit to live any longer. 25 But when I found that (U)he had committed nothing deserving of death, (V)and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. 26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 25:2 NU chief priests
  2. Acts 25:16 NU omits to destruction, although it is implied
  3. Acts 25:18 suspected
  4. Acts 25:23 pageantry