Paul’s Trial before Festus and his Appeal to Caesar
October 29, 2019
Commentary
At the beginning of this chapter, we find Festus, the new governor, coming into power (v. 1). Felix had been recalled to Rome in disgrace. Festus was a much stronger leader, but he only served two years before dying in office. Ananias took the opportunity to get rid of Paul (vv. 2-3). When Festus visited Jerusalem, the Jewish religious leaders requested that Paul be returned to Jerusalem for trial. They planned to kill him before he arrived. But God was watching over Paul, and Festus didn’t agree to their proposition (v. 4). Instead, Festus invited them to send a delegation to him in Caesarea with their formal complaint against Paul (v. 5). Once again Paul was put on trial (v. 6), and the Jewish leaders falsely accused him (v. 7). Paul stated that he had not broken the Law of his people and that he had not done anything against either the temple or the emperor (v. 8).
Festus, wanting to please the Jews, proposed that Paul should return to Jerusalem to stand trial (v. 9), but Paul reminded Festus that Caesarea was the proper place for the trial (v. 10). Fearing that Festus was anxious to make concessions to the Jews and that his trial would no longer be conducted impartially, he appealed to Caesar (v. 11). The right of appeal was an ancient and cherished right of Roman citizens. It could be invoked after a verdict had been given by a lower official, or earlier in the proceedings, as in Paul’s case. It guaranteed that the investigation would be transferred directly to Rome and the verdict would be made by the emperor himself. Now Festus had no alternative, as no lower official could refuse an appeal like this. The fateful words had been spoken, an appeal of a Roman citizen to Caesar, and Festus dared not ignore them. “Unto Caesar shalt thou go,” he said at last (v. 12). It seems that this was God’s will for Paul and His way of taking him to Rome (Romans 1:10).
Application
When things are not going the way I would like, I have the right to appeal, but never to demand. My attitude is more important than whether my preference is denied, or my rights are violated. Once I make my appeal, I need to rest it with the Lord regardless of what happens. (Romans 8:28).
Acts 25:1– 12 (NET)
1 Now three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 So the chief priests and the most prominent men of the Jews brought formal charges against Paul to him. 3 Requesting him to do them a favor against Paul, they urged Festus to summon him to Jerusalem, planning an ambush to kill him along the way. 4 Then Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and he himself intended to go there shortly. 5 “So,” he said, “let your leaders go down there with me, and if this man has done anything wrong, they may bring charges against him.”
6 After Festus had stayed not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea, and the next day he sat on the judgment seat and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they were not able to prove. 8 Paul said in his defense, “I have committed no offense against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” 9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be tried before me there on these charges?” 10 Paul replied, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I should be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well. 11 If then I am in the wrong and have done anything that deserves death, I am not trying to escape dying, but if not one of their charges against me is true, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12 Then, after conferring with his council, Festus replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go!”
Illustration: Asleep Versus Awake Appeal
It is told that Philip of Macedonia fell asleep one day while hearing a case. Waking suddenly and not having all the facts of the case straight, Philip passed an unjust sentence on the man who was at Philip’s mercy. Stung by the sentence, the poor man cried out, “I appeal!” Startled, the king asked, “And to whom do you appeal?” The man replied, “From the king who was sleeping to the king who is waking.” The king was so moved by the man’s logical appeal that he reversed the judgment he had passed. (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #6528).