Paul appeals to Emperor Nero

Acts 24:27      Two years pass and Felix is replaced as Roman Governor of Judaea by Porcius Festus in 59AD.

Acts 25:1-12   Three days after his arrival in Caesarea, the new Roman governor travels to Jerusalem, where, once again the Jewish leaders press charges against Paul, hoping they can ambush and kill him en route to Jerusalem.

Festus, instead, invites the Jews to travel to Caesarea to bring their charges against Paul. After they make their allegations, Festus asks Paul if he is willing to be tried in Jerusalem. Paul refuses to go, and uses his legal right as a Roman citizen to appeal to the Emperor in Rome.

Paul perhaps remembers, at this point, his promise to visit the believers in Rome (see Romans 15:23-28) and his vision in which the Lord says he will testify in Rome (see Acts 23:11). Festus agrees to send Paul to the emperor Nero in Rome.

 

The Roman harbour at Caesarea

The Roman harbour at Caesarea  (Acts 25:6)

 

Acts 25:13-27 King Herod Agrippa II (the son of Herod Agrippa I, who had been given the territories of Ituraea, Trachonitis, and Abilene, the old kingdom of Lysanius, by Governor Felix) (see Map 2) and his sister Bernice (the widow of King Herod of Chalcis) arrive in Caesarea to pay the new governor a courtesy visit. Agrippa (who had no doubt heard about Paul from his sister Drusilla) asks to meet Paul and to hear his case.

Acts 26:1-32   Paul tells his story to King Agrippa. When Paul says that Jesus rose from the dead, Festus declares “Paul, you are out of your mind!” (Acts 26:24). Governor Festus and King Agrippa agree that Paul doesn’t deserve to be imprisoned. Agrippa adds “We could let this man go free, but he has asked Caesar to hear his case” (Acts 26:32).

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