Sunday School Lessons: Acts 25

Lesson 28
Chapter 25
Paul before Festus

25:1 Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3 asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. 4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. 5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

Festus has now replaced Felix as governor.  Three days after he arrived in the Roman city of Caesarea, he made a trip to Jerusalem.  It didn’t take long for the Jews to swing into action.  They met with Festus, and asked him to call Paul to Jerusalem.  They intended to kill him as he traveled between the two cities.
Remember, it has been two years since Paul was escorted by soldiers to Caesarea from Jerusalem in order to spare his life.  The Jews have not given up their plots against Paul.  Festus does not agree to move Paul.  Maybe he knew something about what had happened before and realized that Paul would be in danger.  Certainly he knew the Jews were riled up against this man and wouldn’t have wanted the Jews to be out of control over dealings with Paul, as in the past.  So tells them that he would soon be returning to Caesarea; they could come and bring charges against him there.  Notice, he asks for “men of authority” to come and bring the charges.  Festus wants to deal with this the right way.

6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.

Do you remember the charges that were brought against Paul by the Jews when he stood before Felix?  (review)
There were only three charges.  One, that he had profaned the temple.  This was false and was not a crime against Rome.  Two, that he was a leader of the Christians.  This was true, but was not a crime against Rome.  The third charge, sedition, was the most serious charge, but it was a false charge and could be proved to be false.  Now we see them bringing “many and serious charges,” none of which could be proved.
Paul answered:

 8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” 9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

Paul simply proclaims his innocence.  Festus asks him if he wants to be tried on the charges by him in Jerusalem.  Why did he ask Paul this?  What is Paul’s answer? 

Once Paul asked to have his trial before Caesar, which was his right as a Roman citizen, he was allowed to have his trial moved to Rome and no one else could bring charges against him in another court.  By appealing to Caesar, Paul was preserving his rights—and his life.  We must see another thing about Paul’s appeal to Rome.

Remember in Acts 23, the Lord had appeared to Paul and told him that he would be His witness in Rome. It was God’s will that Paul go to Rome.  This is the means He is using to get Paul there.  Festus realizes that he can’t do anything with Paul and agrees, as he must, to send him to Caesar.

13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”

Festus was the governor, but Agrippa was the King!  After some days, Agrippa and his wife came to visit Festus and stayed many days.  Paul had still not been sent to Caesar.  It seems Festus wasn’t sure what to do.  The charge of sedition was a serious one, but it seemed clear to Festus that the Jews could not prove it.  He tells Agrippa about the situation with Paul and tells him he still has him in custody since he had appealed to Rome.  Agrippa decides he wants to hear from Paul, too.
Paul has stood before Lysias, the Roman tribune, the Sanhedrin, Felix, Festus, and now he will stand before Agrippa.  (read Acts 9:15)  Paul is now fulfilling what was said at his conversion.

23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city.

There was quite a gathering of important people the next day!  The King and his wife, military tribunes, and the prominent men of the city!  This was quite a gathering to hear from Paul.  Remember, this is not a trial.  Paul is not defending himself against charges, he is preaching the Gospel.  This is a fulfillment of the prophecy that he would come before kings and rulers in Christ’s name.
Even though the King and the Governor were present, they did not have authority over Paul, either to condemn him, or to free him.  This was merely a public appearance before the King and his court so they could talk to him and hear what he has to say.  Why would all these important people want to hear from Paul?  (They had heard about the Way and were curious)
Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.

24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

Festus admits that Paul has done nothing to deserve death.  But he finds himself in the awkward position of having a man in his custody that has no valid charges against him.  He wants King Agrippa’s help in knowing what to say when he sends him to Rome.

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.