Acts Chapter 25.

Acts Chapter 25.

Chapters 25-26.  The preparation for Rome.   

Luke underlines the circumstances that brought about the journey of Paul to Rome.  Luke wants his readers to appreciate the importance of this journey.

           

Paul is brought before Porcius Festus, who was governor from 59-61.AD. 

Festus refuses to bring Paul to Jerusalem.  25:1-5.

At the end of two years Jewish hate for Paul was still as bitter.  While the governor was at Jerusalem they complained to him and demanded that Paul be brought for trial.  But the Jews were obliged to come down to Caesarea, the Roman centre of administration.

           

Paul to Festus makes his appeal to be heard by Caesar.  So the Jewish plot to bring Paul to Jerusalem failed.  He may have discerned a readiness in Festus to yield to Jewish pressure.  Paul saw himself as rejected by his countrymen, and now invokes his Roman citizenship and the right of appeal to Caesar.  25:6-12.

           

Agrippa and Bernice at Caesarea.  25:13-22.    

Festus seeks their advice concerning Paul, for he did not understand why the Jews accused Paul.  It was necessary for Festus to give the Emperor full information about the whole matter, when sending a prisoner to him.

           

The purpose of this appearance was to enable Festus to fully set out Paul's case to Caesar.  The new governor was not well informed as to Jewish ways and customs and hoped Agrippa would be able to advise him what things to write to Caesar.

           

Luke gives prominence to these trials to enlarge upon the importance of Paul's journey to Rome.  They were also occasions for unfolding Christian truth to his readers, and served a certain apologetic purpose.

             

References to B-D.

            Agrippa.  B-D.  20.        25:13.

            Bernice.            B-D. 523.