Who are King Agrippa and Bernice in this passage?

King Agrippa here is a descendant of the Herod family, set over certain regions under Roman rule, not over all Judea. He was known as a Jewish ruler who understood Jewish customs and beliefs. Bernice is his sister, a well-known woman from the same royal family, often seen with him in public. They come to Caesarea to greet Festus, the new Roman governor. Their visit is social and political, but God uses it so that Agrippa will hear Paul speak about Jesus and the hope of the resurrection.

Why does Festus call the dispute about Paul a matter of "superstition"?

Festus is a Roman governor who does not share the Jewish faith. When he listens to the charges against Paul, he hears arguments about Jewish law, the temple, and especially about Jesus, who was killed but whom Paul says is alive. To Festus, this sounds like a religious quarrel that he does not understand or value, so he calls it their “superstition.” He is not carefully sorting out true worship from false worship. He simply sees it as a religious fuss that does not sound like a normal crime under Roman law.

What were the Jews accusing Paul of in Festus’s court?

The Jewish chief priests and elders pushed Festus to pass judgment against Paul, hoping for a sentence of death. Festus expected to hear about clear crimes, like rebellion or violence. Instead, when the accusers stood up, they brought religious complaints: that Paul taught against their law, spoke about the temple, and preached about Jesus. The heart of the dispute, as Festus reports it, was about “one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.” So the main issue was Paul’s message about Jesus, not any proven civil crime.

Why does Festus mention Roman law and facing accusers?

Festus tells Agrippa that it is not the way of the Romans to hand someone over to be killed before the accused meets the accusers face to face and has the chance to answer. He is explaining that he refused the Jewish leaders’ push to condemn Paul without a proper hearing. This shows Roman concern, at least in principle, for fair trials and due process. It also shows how God uses even human legal customs to protect Paul for a time, so that he can continue to speak about Jesus before both Jewish and Roman audiences.

Why did Festus ask Paul to go to Jerusalem for trial?

Festus admits he was confused by the kind of questions raised in Paul’s case, since they were about Jewish teaching and about Jesus. Because he felt out of his depth on these matters, he asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and be judged there. The Jewish council in Jerusalem understood these religious issues better, but it was also the place where Paul’s enemies were strongest. This is why Paul, knowing the danger and using his rights as a Roman citizen, chose instead to appeal to Caesar.

Why did Paul appeal to Caesar instead of going back to Jerusalem?

Paul knew that returning to Jerusalem would likely expose him to a deadly plot and a biased hearing. As a Roman citizen, he had the legal right to appeal his case to the emperor when his life was at stake. By appealing to Caesar, Paul sought a fairer process, but he also trusted that God was using this path. Earlier he had been told he would bear witness in Rome, and this appeal became the way God moved him toward that city, even though it meant staying in chains for a time.

What does this passage show about God’s control over human courts?

This passage shows God quietly guiding events in the middle of politics and legal hearings. Festus, Agrippa, and the Jewish leaders all have their own plans and motives, but God uses their choices to open doors for the message about Jesus. Paul’s case is passed from governor to king and finally toward Caesar. Even though Paul is a prisoner, he is given chances to speak about the risen Jesus before powerful rulers. This reminds us that God can work through courts, governments, and even injustice to carry out his purposes.

Why does King Agrippa want to hear Paul for himself?

After hearing Festus describe Paul’s case, Agrippa says he would like to hear Paul too. As a Jew, Agrippa knows more about Jewish beliefs and has likely heard about followers of Jesus. His interest may be mixed: some curiosity, some sense that these questions matter, and perhaps the wish to please his Roman host. He does not press the matter right away, which shows his desire is not very strong. Still, God uses even that small interest to set up a scene where Paul will explain his hope in Christ before a royal audience.

How can this story help believers think about trials and opposition today?

This story shows that being faithful to Jesus can lead to misunderstanding and unfair treatment, even from religious people and powerful leaders. Yet it also shows that God is not absent in those moments. Paul’s chains become a way for him to speak about Jesus in places he might never have reached as a free man. For believers today, this encourages patience and trust when facing unfair criticism or pressure. God can use hard settings, including legal or workplace troubles, to spread the truth and to strengthen others who hear about our hope in Christ.

Acts.25.13

Acts 25:13

KJV

And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

Festus Consults Agrippa

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 licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.