FESTUS CONSULTS WITH KING AGRIPPA

Acts 25:13-16 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 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: about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 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 license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

With a little study of bible history it can be affirmed that this king was Agrippa II, the son of Agrippa I, and the grandson of Herod the Great. Both Bernice, mentioned in the lesson text, and Drucilla, the wife of Felix, were sisters of king Agrippa II. Bernice was first married to her uncle Herod who died soon after their marriage. Afterwards she came to live with her brother, Agrippa II, and, in what some bible scholars considered to be an incestuous relationship, took on the role as his wife and queen. As they traveled together unto Caesarea to salute Festus, Bernice, as she is mentioned in the lesson text, seems to be assuming this companionship duty and responsibility. Their visit is probably one of respect and congratulations to Festus as the new governor of Judea.

After they had visited many days, Festus revealed to king Agrippa II a problem that arose soon after he assumed his new role as governor of this Jewish province. The problem was what to do with Paul. Festus seemed to be searching for a judgment that was inoffensive to the apostle Paul, and yet would still satisfy his Jewish accusers. Festus desired to deal justly with Paul, whom he was convinced had broken no laws or committed any wrong in the eyes of the Roman government. Seeking Agrippa's advice Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. Festus assured the king that he knew injustice would be served if he conceded to the desires of the Jewish leaders, and convicted Paul, without allowing him to appear before, and respond to his accusers face to face ...concerning the crime laid against him.

The verses following the lesson text (17-22), tell us that Festus continued rehearsing to Agrippa II the manner in which this difficult problem developed. He immediately had the Jewish accusers come before his judgment seat, and commanded the man (Paul) to be brought forth. He confessed to Agrippa II that their accusations were not offenses against Roman law, but instead were violations of their own religious superstitions, and, specifically of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Realizing this to be a religious matter of the Jews, he continued by saying that he had asked Paul whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. Refusing to do so and submit to certain condemnation, Paul used his Roman rights by appealing to the judgment of Caesar Augustus. With this perplexing problem being laid before the king, Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself, to which Festus replied, tomorrow ...thou shalt hear him.

Verses 23-27 reveals that on the following day a preliminary hearing took place before king Agrippa II regarding the accusations brought against Paul by his accusers. The reason for the king's participation in this matter was because Festus had determined that Paul had committed nothing worthy of death. Since Paul himself hath appealed to Augustus, and since I have determined to send him, I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

All accusations against Paul were mere opinion and religious disagreements. Festus desperately needed a reason - something he could write to Caesar Augustus that would warrant a judicial hearing against Paul by his Jewish accusers. Having already introduced the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ into the hearing (Vs. 19), Paul used the following chapter to preach the gospel message of eternal salvation through Christ Jesus to this audience of accusing Jews and to these officials of the Roman government.