Daily Bread

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)

Paul Before Agrippa^(K)

²³ The next day Agrippa and Bernice^(L) 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^(M) has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.^{(N) 25} I found he had done nothing deserving of death,^(O) but because he made his appeal to the Emperor^(P) 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.”