Paul Before Festus

Our text is from Acts 25:1-27 and titled, "Paul Before Festus." The new governor, Festus, inherits Paul’s case and faces pressure from Jewish leaders to hand Paul over for trial in Jerusalem, where they plan to ambush and kill him. Festus refuses, instead holding a trial in Caesarea, where the Jews again present unproven accusations. Paul defends his innocence and exercises his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar, forcing Festus to send him to Rome. During a visit from King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice, Festus discusses Paul’s case, seeking input on what to report to Caesar. Agrippa agrees to hear Paul, setting the stage for the next chapter. This passage highlights Paul’s courage, the Jews’ relentless opposition, and Festus’s struggle to balance justice with political expediency.