Acts 25

Paul Appeals to Caesar

1 Three days after Festus took over as governor, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

2 The Jewish leaders brought their beef against Paul and started pressing Festus hard.

3 They asked him to bring Paul back to Jerusalem, plotting to ambush and kill him on the way.

4 But Festus said, “Nah, Paul’s locked up in Caesarea, and I am heading back there soon.

5 You all can roll with me and bring your charges if he has done something wrong.”

6 About 8-10 days later, Festus went back to Caesarea. The next day, he called court and had Paul brought in.

7 When Paul showed up, the Jews who came from Jerusalem surrounded him, throwing out all kinds of serious accusations they could not prove.

8 Paul defended himself, saying, “I have not disrespected Jewish law, the temple, or Caesar.”

9 Festus, trying to stay on good terms with the Jews, asked Paul, “Do you want to go up to Jerusalem and face these charges there,

10 Paul replied, “Nah, I am standing in Caesar’s court where I should be tried. I have not done anything wrong to the Jews, and you know it.

11 If I am guilty of something deserving death, I will not fight it. But if these charges are bogus, nobody is handing me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

12 Festus huddled up with his advisors, then said, “You have appealed to Caesar, Fine, to Caesar you will go!”

Festus Consults Agrippa

13 A few days later, King Agrippa and his sister Bernice came to Caesarea to visit Festus.

14 While they were chilling there for several days, Festus brought up Paul’s case: “Felix left this guy as a prisoner.

15 When I went to Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders asked me to sentence him to death.

16 But I told them Roman law does not roll like that. A man gets to face his accusers and defend himself first.

17 So when they came here, I did not waste time. The very next day, I held court and brought Paul in.

18 His accusers stood up but did not charge him with any crimes I expected.

19 Instead, it was some debate about their religion and a dead man named Jesus who Paul swears is alive.

20 I did not know how to handle that, so I asked if Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem and face these charges.

21 But Paul appealed to have his case heard by the Emperor. So I ordered him held until I can send him to Caesar.”

22 Agrippa said, “I would like to hear this man myself.” Festus replied, “Cool, tomorrow you will hear him.”

23 The next day, Agrippa and Bernice showed up with all kinds of pomp, rolling deep with military officers and city officials. Festus ordered Paul to be brought in.

24 Festus said, “King Agrippa and everyone here, you all see this man, The Jews in Jerusalem and here keep screaming that he should not live any longer.

25 But I found nothing deserving death. Since he appealed to Caesar, I decided to send him.

26 Thing is, I do not have anything solid to write to the Emperor about him. So I brought him here before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so we can figure out what to say.

27 I mean, it is wild to send a prisoner to Caesar without any clear charges.”