We found at the end of chapter twenty-four that Felix was recalled to Rome and Festus had arrived to take his place. Felix had left Paul in custody for two years even though he could have let him go since he was innocent of all the charges against him. Felix had hoped to receive a bribe from Paul or even Paul’s companions or fellow disciples. That was the reason for Paul’s 316
prolonged detention. Now Felix was gone, and another governor had taken his place.
Festus
As soon as Paul arrives in Caesarea, prominent Jews from
Jerusalem approach Festus for a “favor,” to release Paul to
their custody. What we know about Festus is generally good,
especially when compared to Felix. He dealt quickly with two separate messianic movements ( Antiq. 20.8.10).
Unfortunately, Festus died after less than two years in office (A. D. 61-62) and his replacement Albinius was not an able
administrator at all.
When he arrives in Judea, Festus finds himself in a difficult situation politically. He needs the help of the “ruling Jews”
to manage the province of Judea. The elite of Jerusalem included the former high priests and other Herodians. They
were, by and large, interested in power and wealth (as most
politicians are). There is a certain irony here, since these men do not represent a very large segment of the population on
Judea in the mid first century! They are but one small splinter group of many at the time. Festus buys very little influence
over the people of Judea if he does do this elite group a
“favor.”
The language of their request points to a formal alliance. If Festus expects to have the support of the local elite, then he needs to hand Paul over to them for justice rather than release him. It is quite remarkable that there is still a plot afoot to assassinate Paul (25:3). It has been two years since Paul’s
alleged offense yet there is still a faction which considers him guilty of desecrating the Temple. While this seems extreme, remember that bringing a Gentile into the court of
the (Jewish) men was nearly as bad as the blasphemy
committed by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. That act of
desecration was a major factor in the Maccabean revolt.
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These enemies of Paul are burning with the same Zeal for
the Law Paul had in Acts 9 when he traveled to Damascus to
arrest followers of the Way. Festus sees that there is nothing about Paul that requires punishment. In fact, these are not even real accusations being made against Paul! Paul’s
accusers are not present, therefore the very basis of a case against him in Roman law is missing. This was Paul’s point
in his defense before Felix (his accusers are the Asian Jews, who disappear when the action moves to Caesarea). Luke only briefly comments on Paul’s defense before Festus, although he adds the claim that Paul has neither offended the Temple nor Caesar. This is the first time that Paul has emphasized that he is not guilty of anything under Roman
law. Paul clearly realizes that his only chance at justice is to rely upon his citizenship.1
Agrippa and Bernice Visit to Festus
Acts 25:13-22 KJV 13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice
came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 14 And when they had been there
many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is
a certain man left in bonds by Felix: 15 About whom, when I was at
Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me,
desiring to have judgment against him. 16 To whom I answered, It is not
the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which
is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for
himself concerning the crime laid against him. 17 Therefore, when they
were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment
seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. 18 Against whom when
the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I
supposed: 19 But had certain questions against him of their own
superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to
be alive. 20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked
him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these
matters. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing
of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
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22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To
morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
After certain days, king Agrippa - This Agrippa was the
son of Herod Agrippa Act_12:1, and great-grandson of Herod the Great. His mother’s name was Cypros (Josephus, Jewish Wars, book 2, chapter 11, section 6). When his father died he was at Rome with the Emperor Claudius. Josephus says that the emperor was inclined to bestow upon him all his father’s dominions, but was dissuaded by his ministers.
The reason of this was, that it was thought imprudent to bestow so large a kingdom on so young a man, and one so inexperienced. Accordingly, Claudius sent Cuspius Fadus to be procurator of Judea and of the entire kingdom (Josephus, Antiq. , book 19, chapter 9, section 2). When Herod, the brother of his father, Agrippa the Great, died in the eighth year of the reign of Claudius, his kingdom – the kingdom of Chalcis – was bestowed by Claudius on Agrippa (Josephus, Antiq. , book 20, chapter 5, section 2). Afterward, he bestowed on him the tetrarchy of Philip and Batanea, and added to it Trachonitis with Abila ( Antiq. , book 20, chapter 7, section 1). After the death of Claudius, Nero, his successor, added to his dominions Julias in Perea and a part of Galilee. Agrippa had been brought up at Rome, and was strongly attached to the Romans. When the troubles
commenced in Judea which ended in the destruction of Jerusalem, he did all that he could to preserve peace and order, but in vain. He afterward joined his troops with those of the Romans, and assisted them at the destruction of
Jerusalem. After the captivity of that city he went to Rome with his sister Bernice, where he ended his days. He died at the age of seventy years, about 90 a.d. His manner of living
with his sister gave occasion to reports respecting him very
little to his advantage.
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And Bernice - She was sister of Agrippa. She had been married to Herod, king of Chalcis, her own uncle by her father’s side. After his death she proposed to Polemon, king
of Pontus and part of Cilicia, that if he would become circumcised she would marry him. He complied, but she did
not continue long with him. After she left him she returned
to her brother Agrippa, with whom she lived in a manner such as to excite scandal. Josephus directly charges her with incest with her brother Agrippa ( Antiq. , book 20,
chapter 7, section 3).2
Dr. Albert Garner in his comments on verse thirteen, also had this to say concerning this dysfunctional family:
"King Agrippa and Bernice," his wife, as a mistress-sister, who after two marriages lived with him, as reported, in an
incestuous manner. This is Agrippa II, whose father Herod
Agrippa died in a despicable manner, reported, Acts 12:19-
23. Bernice and Drusilla, Acts 24:24, wife of Felix, were sisters of Herod Agrippa II….
"To greet Festus," the new governor of the territory who succeeded Felix, and who was his brother-in-law. The three
sisters of Herod Agrippa II were, Bernice the elder, Drusilla the second, and Mariamne the third, each of which,
according to Josephus, dropped and swapped husbands
promiscuously, Josephus, Antiq. ch. 20:1, 3. It was this Herod Agrippa who built a large palace at Jerusalem. He died A.D. 100, at the age of 70 years, in the 51st year of his reign. His sister-mistress, Bernice, a beautiful woman also became mistress of, first Vespasius, then Titus, following Herod's death.3
Festus related to Agrippa and Bernice all that he had done concerning the case of the Apostle Paul. He related to them how that when he determined that it was not a matter for a Roman administrator to hear, he asked Paul if 320
he would return to Jerusalem to answer the charges that had been brought against him by the Jews. Of course, Paul knew that he would not survive the ordeal and would not receive any justice at the hands of the Sanhedrin, exercised his rights as a Roman citizen to be heard of Caesar in Rome. This was his only option, and it was the option that the Lord desired of him for he was to visit Rome. We can be sure that this was not the way and manner that Paul expected to visit Rome, but it was the way that God had determined for it to be.
Conclusion
After hearing Festus’ report concerning Paul, Agrippa stated that he would like to hear Paul himself, to which Festus replied, “Tomorrow, you shall have your wish.”
The next part will show us the fateful words that have resounded for centuries: “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
1 https://readingacts.com/2019/04/10/acts-25-paul-before-festus/
2 Rick Meyers, e-Sword, version 13.0.0, copyright 2021,
Albert Barnes comments on Acts 25:13
3 Albert Garner, Power Bible CD, his comments on Acts 25:13
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