Acts 25:1-27
Q.1. Did the hatred of the Jewish leaders abate over the years? How did Festus respond to the Jewish request? Was Paul willing to stand trial in Jerusalem? – (Acts 25:1-12)
Two years had elapsed, when Festus took up office. He soon paid a visit to Jerusalem, where the Jewish leaders renewed their charges against Paul (Acts 24:27-25:2). They asked that Paul be brought to Jerusalem with the plan of – setting an ambush to kill him on the way (Acts 25:3). Festus refused their request but invited them to bring their case before him in Caesarea (Acts 25:4-5). They brought many and serious charges which they could not prove, against Paul. (Acts 25:6-7). In his defence, Paul stated that he had committed no offence, either against the Law, the Temple, or Caesar (Acts 25:8). Festus wanted to make a good impression and gain favour with the Jews. He asked if Paul was willing to be tried before them in Jerusalem (Acts 25:9-10). Paul responded that he was prepared to die if he had committed a capital offence but refused to submit to the injustice that would eventuate. Therefore, when Paul appealed to Caesar, Festus accepted his request (Acts 25:11-12).
Q.2. How did Paul end up making his defence before King Agrippa? What did Festus think about the conflict between Paul and the Jews? Why did he want Agrippa to look into the case? – (Acts 25:13-27)
In the providence of God, King Agrippa and Queen Bernice paid a visit to Festus, who brought the Jewish complaint against Paul to the king’s attention, as – … some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive (Acts 25:19). Paul was thus given another opportunity to testify the Gospel – … Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus … (Acts 25:23). In his introduction, Festus explained the reason for the gathering – 26 Yet I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him.” (Acts 25:26-27). Once more, Paul was able to share his faith before a large audience (c.f. Acts 9:15).