We learned at the end of Acts 24 Felix put Paul back in bonds to appease the Jews and because he wouldn’t pay a bribe. This gives us a date, 60 A.D. And Festus takes over governorship. Acts 25 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 25:1] Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
It took him only 3 days to go down to Jerusalem to find out what the charges for Paul would be.
Acts 25:2] Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
[3] And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
These high priest and chief of the Jews are in on the conspiracy, they are lying and want Paul dead. These are Kenites.
Acts 25:4] But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
[5] Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
Forcing them to go to Caesarea for trial, and accuse him there.
Acts 25:6] 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.
[7] 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.
First the Jews have their chance to accuse Paul. But have no proof of what they are accusing him of.
Acts 25:8] 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.
[9] 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?
[10] 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.
[11] 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.
[12] Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
Paul is being very clear here that he has committed no offense to anyone. And being a Roman citizen, and I’ll remind you what the Lord said to him. “Paul, you are going to Rome.”
Acts 25:13] And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
Meating for the first time Festus as governor.
Acts 25:14] 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:
It took him awhile to finally get around to his problem with Paul. We must remember even Felix knew he was innocent, yet a Roman was being kept in bonds on the words of the Jews.
Acts 25:15] About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
[16] 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.
[17] 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.
[18] Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
Saying the Jews did not accuse him of those things that they told me in Jerusalem when they stood here in Caesarea.
Acts 25:19] But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Who Paul gave testimony that Jesus was indeed alive. This split the original opposition in half that opposed him. Leaving only the Sadducees and the Kenites to accuse him.
Acts 25:20] 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.
[21] 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.
And when would he send him to Rome? Why was he not on his way now? because he is scared of what Ceasar would say about him having a Roman citizen in bonds knowing he was innocent.
Acts 25:22] Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
[23] 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.
[24] 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.
[25] 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.
An innocent man would only ask to go to Rome and stand before Augustus Ceasar to show the corruption between the Jews and the government. Again, why didn’t he release Paul knowing he was innocent?
Acts 25:26] 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.
Help me come up with something, I’m in big trouble.
Acts 25:27] For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
He better be afraid, Paul is still in bonds. And will be sent to Ceasar in chains though he is innocent. Acts is going fast, tomorrow we’ll see how this works out for Festus. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible