Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea(A) 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.(B) 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him(C) 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.(D) 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.(E) 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(F) with him about their own religion(G) 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.(H) 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.”(I)

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

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

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13 Now when several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in (A)Caesarea, paying their respects to Festus. 14 And while they were spending many days there, Festus presented Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man who was (B)left as a prisoner by Felix; 15 and when I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews (C)brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I (D)replied to them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any person before (E)the accused meets his accusers face to face, and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges. 17 So after they had assembled here, I did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on (F)the tribunal and ordered that the man be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they did not begin bringing any charges [a]against him of crimes that I suspected, 19 but they simply had some (G)points of disagreement with him about their own [b](H)religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 And (I)being at a loss how to investigate [c]such matters, I [d]asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these matters. 21 But when Paul (J)appealed to be held in custody for [e]the Emperor’s decision, I ordered that he be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar.” 22 Then (K)Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he *said, “you shall hear him.”

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 25:18 Lit in regard to him
  2. Acts 25:19 Or superstition
  3. Acts 25:20 Lit these
  4. Acts 25:20 Lit said
  5. Acts 25:21 Lit the Augustus’ (in this case Nero)