Paul Before Festus Acts 25:1 – 20 JSS3 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

After Felix’s term as governor ended, a new governor named Pontius Festus took over power in Judea. Soon after becoming governor, Festus traveled from Caesarea (the Roman headquarters) to Jerusalem to meet with the Jewish leaders.

The Plot Against Paul

When Festus arrived in Jerusalem, the Jewish religious leaders immediately brought up Paul’s case. Paul had been kept in prison for two years under Felix, the previous governor. The high priest and chief men of the Jews saw this as a new opportunity to deal with Paul.

They asked Governor Festus for a favor: to transfer Paul to Jerusalem for trial. This request seemed reasonable on the surface, but their real plan was very dangerous. The Jewish leaders had secretly arranged for men to hide along the road and kill Paul during the journey to Jerusalem.

These Jewish leaders hated Paul because:

• He taught that Jesus was the Messiah
• He welcomed non-Jews (Gentiles) as equals
• He no longer followed all the Jewish religious customs
• His teachings were spreading quickly throughout the region

Festus’s Response

Governor Festus did not agree to their plan. Instead, he told them that Paul should remain in Caesarea, where Roman trials were properly conducted. He said he himself would be returning there soon.

Festus told the Jewish leaders: “Those who want to accuse Paul should come to Caesarea. If he has done anything wrong, you can bring charges against him there.”

The Trial in Caesarea

When Festus returned to Caesarea, he did not delay. The very next day, he ordered Paul to be brought from prison to the judgment hall for trial.

The Jewish leaders who had traveled from Jerusalem stood around Paul and made many serious accusations against him. They claimed he had:

• Caused riots among Jews throughout the world
• Led a group called the Nazarenes that caused trouble
• Tried to make the temple unclean

However, they could not prove any of these accusations with evidence or witnesses.

Paul’s Defense

Paul spoke boldly in his own defense. He declared that all the charges brought against him were completely false. He said clearly:

“I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law, against the temple, or against Caesar.”

Paul explained that he was simply teaching about Jesus and the resurrection from the dead. This was a matter of religious belief, not a crime against Rome.

Festus’s Dilemma

Festus found himself in a difficult position. He could see that Paul had not committed any crime against Roman law. However, he wanted to please the Jewish leaders to keep peace in the region.

So Festus suggested a compromise that he thought might work for everyone. He asked Paul:

“Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”

Festus thought this might satisfy the Jewish leaders while still allowing him to oversee the trial. However, he did not understand the danger this posed to Paul.