An Outline Of Acts 25

An outline of Acts 25

Introduction: this chapter covers Paul's second trial (at least) before a Roman official; this time, Porcius Festus, who replaced Felix. Felix had left Paul in jail, basically, to please the Jews even though Felix knew Paul was innocent. Festus appears to start where Felix left off. The final section covers Paul's speech or apology (defense) before King Agrippa and wife Bernice.

The Trial: Different Judge, Same Charges

1 The Plot Against Paul

Text. Acts 25:1-5, KJV: 1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

--"Ascended" is an accurate term, as Jerusalem was at a higher elevation than Caesarea.

--Why Festus went to Jerusalem is not revealed here. While he was there, the high priest and "chief of the Jews (possibly, the elders who had come to Caesarea a few years earlier)" informed Festus about Paul. If Festus had indeed promptly went to Jerusalem, only three days after arriving, it's possible nobody at his court could have told him much of anything.

--The plot or plan was to convince Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem, then kill Paul while he was traveling there. This was an almost identical plot made by the "gang of 40" in Acts 23, who vowed to not eat or drink anything until they had killed Paul. Were some of them involved in this plot?

--Festus did not agree to this, instead saying, Paul should be kept at Caesarea and that he, Festus, was heading back that way shortly. He also added, "if you accuse this man of any wickedness, then go down to Caesarea with me when I go back."

2 The Trial of Paul

Text, Acts 25:6-9, KJV: 6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. 8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. 9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

--Festus stayed in Jerusalem for over ten days. We aren't told why he stayed there for that long.

--Eventually he did return to Caesarea. The next day he sat on the judgment seat, much like Felix had done (Acts 24), and commanded Paul to be brought out. Did Paul suspect something was about to happen or take place when he was summoned?

--This time there was no Tertullus, only the Jews who had come to Caesarea with Festus. These Jews made "many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove". Perhaps they thought their heat would lead to hate and cause Festus to judge against Paul.

--Paul's defense could be summed up in these words of verse 8. He had done nothing against the laws of the Jews, nothing against the Temple, nor against Caesar; these may be hints of the charges laid against him, more or less a rehash of what the Jews had accused Paul of during Felix' administration.

--Festus, incredibly, wanted to do the Jews a pleasure--similar to Felix. Instead of leaving Paul bound in Caesarea, this "favor" would be to bring Paul for a third or fourth trial in Jerusalem!

--Paul may have been speechless for a moment, but he gave them an answer they probably didn't expect to hear.

3 The Reply by Paul

Text, Acts 25:10-12, KJV: 10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.