Question 1

Why did the Jewish leaders want Paul brought to Jerusalem in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The Jewish leaders asked Festus to have Paul sent to Jerusalem because they wanted to get rid of him, not give him a fair trial. The passage says they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Their hatred of Paul had grown because of his preaching about Jesus, and they were willing to hide their real motives behind legal language. This shows how far people can go when their hearts are set against the message of Christ, and how God can protect his servants even when plots are hidden.

Question 2

Why did Festus keep Paul in Caesarea instead of sending him to Jerusalem?

Accepted Answer

Festus kept Paul in Caesarea because that was where Paul was already being held and where the official court was. He told the Jewish leaders that anyone able to accuse Paul should come down with him and present their charges there. This followed normal Roman practice, where an accused person met the accusers face to face and could answer for himself. Even though Festus was trying to please the Jews in some ways, God used his decision here to keep Paul from the planned ambush.

Question 3

What were the accusations against Paul, and could they be proved?

Accepted Answer

When Paul was brought before Festus in Caesarea, the Jews stood around him and made many serious complaints. The passage says they were “many and grievous,” but also that they could not prove them. Later Festus tells Agrippa that the dispute was mainly about religious questions and about Jesus, whom Paul said was alive. So the charges sounded harsh, but there was no solid evidence of any crime against the law, the temple, or Caesar. Paul clearly states he has offended in nothing at all in these areas.

Question 4

Why did Paul appeal to Caesar, and what did that mean?

Accepted Answer

Paul appealed to Caesar because he saw that staying under Festus, with pressure from the Jews, could lead to an unfair and dangerous situation, especially if he was sent to Jerusalem. As a Roman citizen, he had the right to ask that his case be heard by the emperor’s court. When he said, “I appeal unto Caesar,” he was using that legal right. He also accepted that if he had truly done something worthy of death, he was willing to die, but he would not allow himself to be handed over when there was no real crime proven.

Question 5

What does this passage show about Paul’s attitude toward law and justice?

Accepted Answer

Paul shows deep respect for both God’s law and human law. He calmly says that he has not sinned against the Jewish law, the temple, or Caesar. He is not trying to escape justice, only injustice. He even says that if he has done anything worthy of death, he does not refuse to die. At the same time, he will not quietly accept being given up to his enemies without proof. By appealing to Caesar, he shows that believers may rightly use legal rights and systems while keeping a clear conscience before God and people.

Question 6

Who are Festus, King Agrippa, and Bernice in this story?

Accepted Answer

Festus is the new Roman governor in Judea, taking over from Felix. He is responsible for keeping order and handling legal cases like Paul’s. King Agrippa is a client king who knows Jewish customs and has some authority in the region, though Rome is still in charge. Bernice is his sister, who appears with him in great pomp at the hearing. These rulers show how Paul’s case is not just a small local matter. God is giving Paul chances to speak about Jesus before high officials, just as he had promised earlier.

Question 7

What does Festus mean when he calls the dispute “questions of their own superstition”?

Accepted Answer

Festus is a Roman, and he does not really understand or respect the Jewish faith or the message about Jesus. When he tells Agrippa about Paul, he says the case involved “questions of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” To him, these are religious arguments that seem strange and unimportant. He does not see that the question of whether Jesus is alive is at the heart of the matter. This shows how spiritual truth can look like mere debate to someone whose heart is not open.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about God’s control in the middle of unfair treatment?

Accepted Answer

All through this chapter, Paul is surrounded by enemies, false charges, and political pressure. The Jews plan an ambush, Festus wants to please them, and yet at each step Paul is kept from harm. Festus keeps him in Caesarea, the accusations cannot be proved, and Paul’s appeal to Caesar lines up with God’s earlier promise that he would bear witness in Rome. Even the visit of Agrippa and Bernice becomes another stage for Paul to speak. The passage shows that God can use courts, rulers, and even plots against his people to move his plan forward.

Question 9

How can Paul’s example in this passage help believers today who face unfair accusations?

Accepted Answer

Paul does not panic or lash out when he is treated unfairly. He calmly answers for himself, states the truth, and keeps a clear conscience. He respects the authorities, yet he also uses his rights wisely by appealing to Caesar. He trusts that if he has done wrong, he should face the result, but if not, he should not be handed over. For believers today, this encourages a steady, honest response in hard situations: speak truth, avoid deceit, use lawful means, and trust that God is at work even when people act unjustly.

Acts 25:1

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

Paul’s Trial before Festus

Paul Appeals to Caesar

Festus Consults Agrippa

Paul before Agrippa and Bernice

Paul’s Trial before Festus

metadata.crossReferences

Acts 25:1

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

share.title

share.allVerses

share.verseWithContext

share.currentVerse

Paul’s Trial before Festus

Paul Appeals to Caesar

Festus Consults Agrippa

Paul before Agrippa and Bernice

Paul’s Trial before Festus

metadata.crossReferences