Acts 25 12

Acts 25:12 kjv

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

Acts 25:12 nkjv

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!"

Acts 25:12 niv

After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!"

Acts 25:12 esv

Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, "To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go."

Acts 25:12 nlt

Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, "Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!"

Acts 25 verses

Acts 25 12 Meaning

Acts 25:12 describes a pivotal moment in the Apostle Paul's legal journey, where Roman Governor Festus confirms Paul's appeal to Caesar. This decision bypasses provincial Roman authority and transfers Paul's case to the supreme court in Rome, specifically to be heard by the Emperor Nero. It highlights Paul's exercise of his rights as a Roman citizen and the divine providence guiding his ministry, allowing him to testify before the highest secular power.

Acts 25 12 Context

Acts chapter 25 details the continued legal proceedings against Paul following Festus's appointment as the new Roman governor of Judea, replacing Felix. Upon arriving in Caesarea, Festus travels to Jerusalem, where the Jewish high priests and leading men immediately request Paul's transfer for trial in Jerusalem, intending to ambush and kill him en route. Festus, likely desiring to placate the Jewish leaders, proposes to hear the case in Caesarea but then implies taking Paul to Jerusalem for judgment. Paul, aware of the dangers and recognizing his right as a Roman citizen, refuses and makes a direct appeal to the Emperor. This appeal, known as appellatio, was a legal recourse for Roman citizens to seek judgment from the supreme authority, especially if they perceived injustice or danger in provincial courts. Festus's decision to grant the appeal signifies his respect for Roman law and perhaps also a relief from his political predicament regarding Paul.

Acts 25 12 Word analysis

• Then: Greek: Tote (τότε). Signifies a sequential action following Festus's engagement with the Jewish leaders and Paul's firm refusal to be tried in Jerusalem.
• Festus: Roman governor of Judea (c. AD 59–62). His character is depicted as navigating political pressures between the Roman administration and Jewish leaders. His decision here respects Roman law.
• when he had conferred: Greek: syllalēsas (συλλαλήσας), a participle meaning "having conversed together" or "consulted." It suggests a formal discussion or consultation process.
• with the council: Greek: symboulion (συμβούλιον). This refers to Festus's advisory panel, typically composed of leading Roman officials and assessors present in Caesarea. Their role was to advise the governor on legal and administrative matters, especially when dealing with a Roman citizen's rights. Their advice would likely confirm Paul's legal right to appeal to Caesar.
• answered: Greek: apekrithē (ἀπεκρίθη). "He replied," directly addressing Paul. This indicates a formal judicial response.
• "You have appealed unto Caesar": Paul's act of provocatio (a broader right for citizens against unjust acts by magistrates) or appellatio (the formal appeal from a judicial decision). It was a grave decision with serious implications for both the accused and the governor. By appealing, Paul elevated his case beyond provincial jurisdiction.
• "unto Caesar shalt thou go.": Greek: epi Kaisara poreusē (ἐπὶ Καίσαρα πορεύσῃ). "To Caesar you will go/proceed." This confirms the acceptance of the appeal. It meant a journey to Rome under military guard, at the expense of the state, for an imperial hearing. This seemingly secular legal procedure became the very means for God to fulfill His promise that Paul would testify in Rome.

Acts 25 12 Bonus section

The Roman legal process of appeal (especially appellatio) was crucial for citizens, protecting them from arbitrary provincial judgments. While initially Festus may have seen this as a means to avoid a politically sensitive decision in Judea, his act directly aligned with God's preordained plan for Paul (Acts 23:11). Paul’s appeal ultimately saved him from assassination plots in Judea and propelled him toward Rome, where he would influence the Praetorian Guard (Phil 1:13) and lay the groundwork for the Roman church to grow, despite being a prisoner. This verse is a stark example of God orchestrating circumstances and using human legal systems to fulfill His grand narrative.

Acts 25 12 Commentary

Acts 25:12 encapsulates a crucial juncture, revealing the interplay of divine will, Roman jurisprudence, and apostolic courage. Festus, caught between appeasing Jewish antagonists and upholding Roman law, confirms Paul's appeal, which was an inherent right for a Roman citizen. This was not a passive acceptance; Festus formally consulted his council, underscoring the legal gravity and proper process. For Paul, the appeal was a strategic, God-guided move to escape the immediate Jewish plots and to achieve his long-held desire and divine mandate to preach the gospel in Rome, even if it meant doing so in chains. His situation demonstrates that God can use the very mechanisms of secular government, even imperfect ones, to advance His kingdom purposes, turning what appears to be judicial hardship into a providential pathway for the gospel to reach the imperial capital. It serves as a reminder that Christians can appropriately leverage legal and civic rights for the furtherance of their faith and for justice.