A Political Prisoner

Acts 25:6-27

Felix had left Paul in prison for two years for political purposes, to keep the Jews happy. Three days after Festus was inaugurated to replace him, the Jews struck in an attempt to kill Paul, hoping Festus would not be aware of their subterfuge. Instead, he demanded they appear in Caesarea to present their grievances.

“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. 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. 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.” (Ac 25:6-8)

About two weeks into his administration, Festus tried to deal with the issue of Paul’s imprisonment. The Jews presented a number of unsubstantiated charges against Paul. Festus himself could find no legal grounds for the accusations, since it was not against Roman law to worship other Gods, and there was no mandate to worship the Jewish religion. Paul’s defense was that he had not broken any Roman laws, and that he had not broken the Jewish laws either. The Jewish leaders were trying to make an example of Paul to prevent the growth of Christianity.

“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?” (Acts 25:9)

Since the Jews had no firm legal ground, but he wanted to prevent social unrest, Festus asked Paul if he was willing to submit to a mediation proceeding in Jerusalem, Not realizing that the Jews were hoping that such a hearing would provide and opportunity to murder Paul. Festus was unaware of the conspiracy to murder him, but Paul was not.

“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. 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.” (Acts 25:10-11)

Roman Law provided that a citizen was entitled an appeal if he felt that he had been unfairly treated by the authorities. Having already been held for two years without being convicted, Paul had a valid grievance. To be asked to remain in custody and submit to another trial when no valid charges had been preferred was outrageous. Paul decided to exercise his right as a citizen.

“Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.” (Acts 25:12)

After checking with his advisors, Festus realized he really had no choice but to either let Paul go or let him make his appeal to Caesar. Letting him go would surely result in additional uprisings, so he elected to sent him to Caesar.

“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.” (Acts 25:13-16)

All the surrounding governors and authorities wanted to establish a working realtionship with the new governor, so king Agrippa came down to visit Festus. Herod Agrippa II was the son of Agrippa I and the last important descendant of Herod the great. He ruled from 48-100 AD.

Festus took advantage of Agrippa’s visit to ask his advice, since had far more experience both in government and in dealing with the Jews. The Jews demand to have Paul executed clearly did not meet Roman legal standards, and when the case came to him he could find no legal grounds even to hold Paul.

“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.” (Acts 25:17-21)

When Paul demanded a hearing before Caesar, Festus felt that he was obligated to honor the appeal, but he wanted to know how he should have handled the case. Agrippa asked to hear the case himself so he could give valid advice.

"Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. Of whom 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.” (Acts 25:22-27)

As Festus explained when he brought Paul before them, he had been stuck with this case, and in his efforts to resolve it, he had found no evidence of Paul having actually committed a crime, and certainly not a capital offense. Because Paul had appealed to Caesar, he felt he had to send him, but it seemed ridiculous that Paul had been imprisoned so long, and no charges had ever even been filed. Paul should not have even needed to make such an appeal. Under American law, he would have had the right to a settlement from the authorities for illegal arrest. It would be especially damaging that no valid basis for his arrest could be provided. It’s not hard to understand Festus’ problem, and to deny Paul’s request would just aggravate the problem.