Paul’s Trial before Festus

1Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus (festival) went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem (city of peace), 2where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul (humble). They urged Festus 3to grant them a concession against Paul by summoning him to Jerusalem (city of peace), because they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

4But Festus (festival) replied, “Paul (humble) is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. 5So if this man has done anything wrong, let some of your⁺ leaders come down with me and accuse him there.”

6After spending no more than eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he sat on the judgment seat and ordered that Paul (humble) be brought in. 7When Paul arrived, the Jews (people of praise) who had come down from Jerusalem (city of peace) stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.

8Then Paul (humble) made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews (people of praise) or against the temple or against Caesar (Emporer).”

9But Festus (festival), wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul (humble), “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem (city of peace) to stand trial before me on these charges?”

Paul Appeals to Caesar

10Paul (humble) replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar (Emporer), where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews (people of praise), as you yourself know very well. 11If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar (Emporer)!”

12Then Festus (festival) conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar (Emporer). To Caesar you will go!”

Festus Consults Agrippa

13After several days had passed, King Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II) and Bernice (victorious) came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus (festival). 14Since they were staying several days, Festus (festival) laid out Paul’s case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix (lucky) left in prison. 15While I was in Jerusalem (city of peace), the chief priests and elders of the Jews (people of praise) presented their case and requested a judgment against him. 16I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.

17So when they came here with me, I did not delay. The next day I sat on the judgment seat and ordered that the man be brought in. 18But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus (YHWH saves) who had died, but whom Paul (humble) affirmed to be alive.

20Since I was at a loss as to how to investigate these matters, I asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem (city of peace) and be tried there on these charges. 21But when Paul (humble) appealed to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar (Emporer).”

22Then Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II) said to Festus (festival), “I would like to hear this man myself.”

“Tomorrow you will hear him,” Festus declared.

Paul before Agrippa and Bernice

23The next day Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II) and Bernice (victorious) came with great pomp and entered the auditorium, along with the commanders and leading men of the city. And Festus (festival) ordered that Paul (humble) be brought in.

24Then Festus (festival) said, “King Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II) and all who are present with us, you⁺ see this man. The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him, both here and in Jerusalem (city of peace), crying out that he ought not to live any longer. 25But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.

26I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign {kyriō} about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you⁺, and especially before you, King Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II), so that after this inquiry I may have something to write. 27For it seems unreasonable to me to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”