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THE BOOK OF ACTS

CHAPTER 25

PAUL BEFORE FESTUS 25:1-27

THE CHALLENGE OF CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

After being held unlawfully for two years in prison, Paul does not waver in his trust and
confidence in God.

To God, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. However, from our
human perspective, the passage of time sometimes seems like an enemy. Like Paul, we must
not be moved from standing on God’s promises to us. If God has spoken a promise to your
heart, it will surely come to pass.

JEWISH LEADERS APPEAL TO FESTUS (1-9)

Once again, the Jews look for a way to get rid of Paul. They appeal to Festus to send Paul to
Jerusalem. They think they can ambush and kill Paul on his journey. Instead, Festus determines
that Paul should remain in Caesarea and states he will travel to Caesarea and reopen the case.
After arriving at Caesarea, Festus orders Paul to be brought to him. The Jews present bring
complaints against Paul, but he defends himself against their accusations.

Paul is confronted by Festus in Caesarea (Chapter 24) and then by Agrippa (Chapter 26). In
Chapter 27, Paul travels to Rome, and in Chapter 28, he arrives. Festus will be used by the
Jewish mob and change the decision of Felix. Everyone will try to kill Paul, but God will deliver
him and send him to Rome.

Act 25:1 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from
Caesarea to Jerusalem.

Festus is described by Josephus as a pleasant and fair ruler. But in this chapter, we see him
swayed into breaking Roman laws when entertained by the Jews of Jerusalem.

Act 25:2 Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and
they petitioned him,

For two years, the Jews have been festering over Paul, and they are furious. They look for any
way to destroy him. Festus’s plan to travel to Jerusalem represents their new hope. They have
now built up a monumental case against Paul in their imaginations and accuse him of heresy.
They also fabricate stories that are grossly exaggerated.

Act 25:3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in
ambush along the road to kill him.