Acts 25
Summary. . In this chapter, the apostle Paul encounters new challenges under the governance of Porcius Festus. Following the Lord’s guidance, he appeals to Caesar, which leads to his being presented before Agrippa and his companions. Acts 25:1-5. Governor Festus travels to Jerusalem. The new governor, Festus, sought support from the Jewish leaders and traveled to Jerusalem. While there, the chief priests and influential Jewish leaders conspired against the apostle Paul. They sought to fight against the apostle of the Lord to stop the good news from spreading. However, the Lord God Almighty protected the apostle. The governor requested that the Jewish leaders accompany him to Caesarea to present their case against Paul. Acts 25:6-12. The apostle Paul appeals to Caesar. In Caesarea, the apostle Paul is brought before the Jewish leaders to stand trial under Governor Festus. The Jews accused him of many things, but they were unable to provide any evidence. The governor, wishing to maintain peace with the Jews, suggested taking the apostle to Jerusalem for trial; however, the apostle exercised his citizenship rights and appealed to Caesar. Acts 25:13-21. Governor Festus discusses Paul’s case with King Agrippa. King Agrippa and Bernice visited Festus in Caesarea. Concerned about the situation involving the apostle Paul, Festus presented the case to the king and expressed the Jewish leaders’ desire to have Paul condemned. However, Festus found that the accusations against Paul did not amount to a crime worthy of the death penalty. Since the apostle appealed to Caesar, Festus decided to send him to Caesar, but now he must write the accusations supporting the case. Acts 25:22-27. Apostle Paul before Agrippa and his companions. Agrippa and Bernice arrived in great pomp, accompanied by notable citizens of the city. Festus presented Paul, whom the Jews wanted him to condemn to death, for judgment, so that he could clarify the case to the emperor.
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Festus therefore, having arrived in the province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
Comments Acts 25:1
When humans have dark mind control, it will make humans go great lengths to pursue and achieve the goal of the dark.
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And the chief priests and the chiefs of the Jews made a declaration before him against Paul; and they besought him,
Comments Acts 25:2
“And the chief priests and the chiefs ...” The Lord’s children, who were the leaders of faith and leaders of humans, plotted against the apostle. Dark thoughts occupied the minds of humans as they plotted to make the case against the apostle. The apostle will face a challenging time among the Lord’s children.
“And they besought him.” The Lord’s children, when they ignored the teachings of the Lord God Almighty, tried to find a higher authority to fight against the apostle of the Lord in order to stop the good news from spreading.
“And they besought him.” The Lord’s children, when they ignored the teachings of the Lord God Almighty, tried to find a higher authority to fight against the apostle of the Lord in order to stop the good news from spreading.
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asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem; making an ambush to kill him on the way.
Comments Acts 25:3
“Asking a favor against him ...” The leaders used their position to request a favor from the new governor, asking him to send the apostle for proper judgment. This request will also pave the way for the apostle to testify to the outsiders the way to be saved.
“Making an ambush to kill him ...” The request showed honesty, wanting to be fair in judgment, but it had a hidden and evil plan to kill the prisoner on the way.
“Making an ambush to kill him ...” The request showed honesty, wanting to be fair in judgment, but it had a hidden and evil plan to kill the prisoner on the way.
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Indeed, therefore, Festus answered that Paul is to be kept in Caesarea, and he himself is about to set out without delay.
Comments Acts 25:4
Humans make many plans, whether good or bad; now they have requested that the apostle be sent to Jerusalem, but the leader will go and wait for them in his place (Caesarea). As the governor goes to the place, the apostle will meet them, and that is when the apostle’s journey to tell and spread the good news will begin.
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Those, therefore, powerful among you, he says, having gone down too, if there is anything improper in the man, let them accuse him.
Comments Acts 25:5
“Those, therefore, powerful among you ...” The governor stated that the apostle was there in Caesarea, so let all those in high authority come also, to be as a witness for the cause and press charges against the apostle.
“If there is anything improper in the man ...” The governor stated further that if the apostle did anything wrong, let all those in high rank press charges against him, and be face-to-face with the apostle, and the things will be clear, and the judgment will be fair.
“If there is anything improper in the man ...” The governor stated further that if the apostle did anything wrong, let all those in high rank press charges against him, and be face-to-face with the apostle, and the things will be clear, and the judgment will be fair.
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Then, having spent not more than eight or ten days with them, he went down to Caesarea; on the next day, having sat on the judgment-seat, he commanded Paul to be brought.
Comments Acts 25:6
When the human ruler came down, he also ordered the apostle to come before him for judgment. Wishing in his heart to know all the problems, he commanded the apostle to present himself in front of him.
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And he, having arrived, the Jews, having come down from Jerusalem, stood around him, bringing many and weighty charges, which they could not prove.
Comments Acts 25:7
“And he, having arrived, the Jews ...” The children of the Lord, with dark mind control over their thoughts, had followed the governor and come down to try to stop the apostle from spreading the good news.
“Stood around him, bringing many ...” With dark mind control, they brought up many accusations, believing these would be enough for the leader to stop the apostle and that the people would not have a chance to hear the good news. The dark mind tried to use the activity of the apostle as an act against the nation, but despite all the accusations they brought, they could not provide any proof to support the accusations.
“Stood around him, bringing many ...” With dark mind control, they brought up many accusations, believing these would be enough for the leader to stop the apostle and that the people would not have a chance to hear the good news. The dark mind tried to use the activity of the apostle as an act against the nation, but despite all the accusations they brought, they could not provide any proof to support the accusations.
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Paul made his defense: Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned, anything.
Comments Acts 25:8
“Paul made his defense ...” The apostle replied with confidence; he is a Jew, and what he did is nothing against the law or the traditions; and he is also a believer, he did nothing to disrespect the temple of the Lord God Most High.
“Nor against the temple ...” With firm speaking, the apostle replied that he did nothing against the Lord God Almighty, and also, he did nothing wrong toward the leader of the people as well. The Lord God Almighty does not teach His children to disrespect the ruler of the country.
“Nor against the temple ...” With firm speaking, the apostle replied that he did nothing against the Lord God Almighty, and also, he did nothing wrong toward the leader of the people as well. The Lord God Almighty does not teach His children to disrespect the ruler of the country.
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However, Festus, wishing to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, there concerning these things to be judged before me?
Comments Acts 25:9
“However, Festus, wishing to gain favor ...” The leader, wishing to keep peace with the Lord’s children, asked the apostle’s opinion; but, depending on the answer of the apostle, if it does not fit with the Lord’s children’s demands, the blame will not rest on the leader but on the Lord’s children who demanded it.
“Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem ...” Now, the leader gave suggestions to the apostle, first to go up there, to Jerusalem, and be judged by the outsider, which would give him a favorable judgment, or that he be judged by him here at Caesarea.
“Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem ...” Now, the leader gave suggestions to the apostle, first to go up there, to Jerusalem, and be judged by the outsider, which would give him a favorable judgment, or that he be judged by him here at Caesarea.
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Then, Paul said, I am standing before the judgment-seat of Caesar, where it is necessary I be judged; to the Jews I have done nothing wrong, as you also very well know.
Comments Acts 25:10
“Then, Paul said, I am standing before ...” The apostle held his ground; he wanted to be judged by Caesar, not someone else.
“To the Jews I have done nothing wrong ...” The apostle also gave the reason for his want: that everyone knew he did nothing wrong to anyone, regardless of who wanted to judge him, but he preferred to be judged by Caesar.
“To the Jews I have done nothing wrong ...” The apostle also gave the reason for his want: that everyone knew he did nothing wrong to anyone, regardless of who wanted to judge him, but he preferred to be judged by Caesar.
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If then, indeed, I did wrong and have done anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; however, if there is nothing of which they accuse me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.
Comments Acts 25:11
“If then, indeed, I did wrong and ...” The apostle, with his heart full of faith, stood up for his righteous deeds and told them all that, if he did something wrong, he was willing to accept even the punishment of death. He was not trying to escape punishment for the wrongdoing, but he wanted to make them think as well: if he did something wrong, the fear would have it in him; by facing the death judgment, the apostle had shown them his innocence.
“However, if there is nothing of which ...” Now, the apostle told all in charge that if something wrong is found in him, as they had accused him, then they can punish him. Otherwise, no one can give him up to the Lord’s children to judge him.
“I appeal to Caesar.” At this point, the apostle exercised his right as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar; this was his right, and no one could ignore it.
“However, if there is nothing of which ...” Now, the apostle told all in charge that if something wrong is found in him, as they had accused him, then they can punish him. Otherwise, no one can give him up to the Lord’s children to judge him.
“I appeal to Caesar.” At this point, the apostle exercised his right as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar; this was his right, and no one could ignore it.
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Then Festus, having conversed with the council, answered, To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you will go.
Comments Acts 25:12
“Then Festus, having conversed ...” Humans seek advice from humans; this is the way humans use for their lives. Being a leader, to avoid problems for themselves, seeking advice from their council is the smart way to act. When mistakes happen, the leader does not have to take responsibility, and people won’t blame the leader either; the council will be the one who takes the blame.
“You have appealed to Caesar ...” The apostle appealed to Caesar, the highest ruler at that time. This appeal from the apostle was not his alone; the Holy Spirit had told the apostle what he should do and whom he should contact. Since the Lord God Almighty granted citizenship in an important country to His apostle, He also told the apostle that He would always protect him.
“You have appealed to Caesar ...” The apostle appealed to Caesar, the highest ruler at that time. This appeal from the apostle was not his alone; the Holy Spirit had told the apostle what he should do and whom he should contact. Since the Lord God Almighty granted citizenship in an important country to His apostle, He also told the apostle that He would always protect him.
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Now, having passed certain days, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, greeting Festus.
Comments Acts 25:13
Now, the leader had visitors of high rank; the leader himself felt safe; the safety came to him; the leader just believed his own safety was secure because of this high-ranking visitor. This human king would provide aid if the leader were in trouble; the leader would use the advantage of this visitor for himself.
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And as they tarried there many days, Festus declared before the King, the things related to Paul, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,
Comments Acts 25:14
“And as they tarried there many days ...” It only took some days for the leader to gather their strength to make a report to the king. For political reasons, it made him concerned about the situation.
“The things related to Paul ...” The previous leader left the apostle in prison without judgment yet, and he, as a new leader, did not want to judge the case before he had a chance to learn the real reasons. Because the prisoner was well known among people, the possibility of people rising up against him as a new leader was high; that is the reason why he wanted to use the king as a cover-up for his own doings.
“The things related to Paul ...” The previous leader left the apostle in prison without judgment yet, and he, as a new leader, did not want to judge the case before he had a chance to learn the real reasons. Because the prisoner was well known among people, the possibility of people rising up against him as a new leader was high; that is the reason why he wanted to use the king as a cover-up for his own doings.
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about whom, when I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews revealed to me, asking condemnation against him.
Comments Acts 25:15
“About whom, when I was in Jerusalem ...” Now, in this case, when the leader went up to the king with information regarding the prisoner, he said that the religious leaders and the elders of the people brought a case against the prisoner before him.
“Asking condemnation against him.” The prisoner had been accused by their law of many wrongdoings and by their accusation he deserved to receive a severe punishment for his wrongdoings.
“Asking condemnation against him.” The prisoner had been accused by their law of many wrongdoings and by their accusation he deserved to receive a severe punishment for his wrongdoings.
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To whom I answered that it is not the custom with Romans to give up any man, before that the accused may have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity of defense concerning the accusation.
Comments Acts 25:16
“To whom I answered that it is not the custom ...” But he cannot make any judgment by the custom of the nation regarding the judgment itself, before both sides have faced each other and given the reason why and why not.
“And have had opportunity of defense ...” And the prisoner also must have the opportunity to defend the case for himself; whatever the accusers accuse him of, the prisoner must have the right to defend against it.
“And have had opportunity of defense ...” And the prisoner also must have the opportunity to defend the case for himself; whatever the accusers accuse him of, the prisoner must have the right to defend against it.
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Therefore, having come together here, having made no delay, next, having sat on the judgment-seat, I commanded the man to be brought.
Comments Acts 25:17
The true feeling is doubt in this place, but by the position, he must make a judgment regarding the prisoner. So, he ordered the prisoner to be brought to him for judgment. At this time, let all readers pay attention, the Lord God Almighty will save His apostle.
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Concerning whom, the accusers, having stood up, they brought no charge of evil things of which I suspected;
Comments Acts 25:18
Many people accused the prisoner of various charges, but neither charge fit what the leader had known before. In this place, the Lord God Almighty worked in the mind of man, to have doubt between the word of the accusers and the news he had known by his own source.
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however, they had certain questions against him of their own religion, and concerning O ne Jesus , who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Comments Acts 25:19
“However, they had certain questions ...” The important questions the accusers had toward the apostle concerned only the law their Lord God Almighty had given to their forefather to follow.
“And concerning One Jesus ...” The most concerning question and accusation they had was regarding the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was dead, but this One, who was dead, was the most questioned among people of the way the judgment had done.
“Whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” The apostle of the Lord God Almighty, confirmed in his heart by the Holy Spirit, gave the details to all hearers, that the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, is alive, although people and leaders saw that He was dead.
“And concerning One Jesus ...” The most concerning question and accusation they had was regarding the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was dead, but this One, who was dead, was the most questioned among people of the way the judgment had done.
“Whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” The apostle of the Lord God Almighty, confirmed in his heart by the Holy Spirit, gave the details to all hearers, that the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, is alive, although people and leaders saw that He was dead.
20
Now I, doubting concerning this inquiry, asked if he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these things.
Comments Acts 25:20
When he heard all the information regarding the accusations made against the apostle, the governor wanted to go to Jerusalem and take the apostle with him if the apostle agreed to go at this time, so that he could be judged regarding all these accusations.
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But Paul, himself, having appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I should send him to Caesar.
Comments Acts 25:21
The Lord God Almighty had a plan for His apostle to meet Caesar for the great work that was waiting, and stirred up the man’s heart to send the apostle on a journey.
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And Agrippa said to Festus, "I was also wishing myself to hear the man." Tomorrow, he says, you will hear him.
Comments Acts 25:22
The news spread among people, and it reached Agrippa’s ears that the apostle was speaking the truth about worshiping the Lord God Almighty, and now he wanted to hear it from the mouth of the apostle himself. The Holy Spirit worked in people’s hearts and stirred up the outsider’s heart to wish to hear the good news himself.
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Therefore, on the next day, Agrippa and Bernice, having come with great pomp, and having entered into the audience hall, with both the commanders and prominent men in the city, and Festus having commanded, Paul was brought in.
Comments Acts 25:23
“Therefore, on the next day ...” The human king wanted to show how great they are. This king entered with great people around him, which also gave a sign for people to give respect and worship them. The things of this world do not last forever; when humans put their trust in the wealth of this world, their hearts will not acknowledge the riches of the heavenly.
“Festus having commanded, Paul was brought in.” The leader, with great appreciation of the king, ordered to bring the apostle for judgment. The Lord’s children wanted to use the king of this world to judge the apostle, but the apostle is under the authority and protection of the Lord God Almighty; no one had the right to judge the apostle.
“Festus having commanded, Paul was brought in.” The leader, with great appreciation of the king, ordered to bring the apostle for judgment. The Lord’s children wanted to use the king of this world to judge the apostle, but the apostle is under the authority and protection of the Lord God Almighty; no one had the right to judge the apostle.
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And Festus says, King Agrippa, and all men who are present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.
Comments Acts 25:24
The governor presented the case to the king, using the Lord’s children’s request, as he must comply, and emphasized to the king that the apostle had committed sins that made the Lord’s children demand his execution, for the great reason that the apostle blasphemed against the Lord God Almighty.
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However, I, having found him to have committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself had appealed to the emperor, I determined to send him.
Comments Acts 25:25
“However, I, having found him ...” Now, the governor used a human tactic to cover himself to be safe, saying that he himself disagreed with the wish of the Lord’s children. But the apostle appealed to the emperor, and because of that, the governor felt he had no choice but to send the prisoner to see the emperor.
“And as he himself had appealed ...” The apostle, as a citizen of Rome, appealed personally to the emperor, which left the governor with no excuse to delay sending the prisoner.
“And as he himself had appealed ...” The apostle, as a citizen of Rome, appealed personally to the emperor, which left the governor with no excuse to delay sending the prisoner.
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Concerning whom, I don't have anything certain to write to my lord. Therefore, I have brought him before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after the investigation having taken place, I may have something to write.
Comments Acts 25:26
To send the prisoner to be judged, specific accusations were needed; to make the case complete, more details of the accusations were needed. Also, the officer needed to investigate the details in order to write them down; otherwise, the charge against the prisoner would not stand if he did not conduct a proper investigation of the case.
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For it seems to me irrational, in sending a prisoner, not also to signify the charges against him.
Comments Acts 25:27
To send the prisoner and not specify the charges against him, by law, the case would not be complete; and if the prisoner committed any crime against the nation, they must be told, and the king could be the one who could look into the case.
Life and faith applications. 1) Seek wisdom from the Lord to overcome any challenges you encounter. Pray for guidance and trust that He always has a plan for us. 2) Be truthful and have confidence in the Lord when facing difficulties. 3) Do not seek approval from others; instead, always seek the Lord’s advice and aim to please Him, not people.