Acts 25 14

Acts 25:14 kjv

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:

Acts 25:14 nkjv

When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying: "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,

Acts 25:14 niv

Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king. He said: "There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.

Acts 25:14 esv

And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a man left prisoner by Felix,

Acts 25:14 nlt

During their stay of several days, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king. "There is a prisoner here," he told him, "whose case was left for me by Felix.

Acts 25 verses

Acts 25 14 Meaning

Acts 25:14 depicts Governor Festus, after having spent several days in Caesarea, formally presenting the unresolved legal case of the Apostle Paul to King Agrippa II. Festus begins by stating that Paul is a specific man who was left as a prisoner by the previous governor, Felix, signaling that he has inherited a complex matter that requires expert insight, particularly from someone knowledgeable in Jewish affairs like Agrippa.

Acts 25 14 Context

Acts 25 details the start of Governor Festus's administration in Judea, succeeding Felix, who had left Paul imprisoned for two years. Immediately upon Festus's arrival in Caesarea, the persistent Jewish leaders renewed their accusations against Paul. Festus, potentially seeking favor with the Jews, suggested Paul be tried in Jerusalem. However, Paul, knowing this was a trap, invoked his right as a Roman citizen and appealed directly to Caesar. This appeal shifted jurisdiction to Rome, obliging Festus to send Paul to the emperor. Before doing so, Festus faced a dilemma: he needed to draft an official report outlining Paul's case for Caesar, yet he found the charges from the Jewish leaders to be vague and concerning "matters of their own religion" rather than Roman law. Providentially, King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice arrived in Caesarea to greet Festus. Recognizing Agrippa's profound familiarity with Jewish customs and legalities, Festus wisely utilized this opportunity to consult with him, hoping Agrippa could help clarify the charges so a proper indictment could be sent to Rome. Verse 14 sets up this crucial consultation.

Acts 25 14 Word analysis

• And when they had spent many days there,
  • And when: The Greek word kai (καὶ), "and," connects this event chronologically and narratively to the preceding account, indicating a seamless progression of time and action.
  • they: Refers to Festus and his retinue, alongside King Agrippa and Bernice, who had traveled to Caesarea.
  • had spent: From diatribō (διατριψάντων), meaning "to rub through," "to spend time." It denotes a period of tarrying or remaining in a place.
  • many days: (ἱκανὰς ἡμέρας, hikanas hēmeras). Hikanos means "sufficient," "considerable," or "many." This phrase implies that Festus did not immediately address Paul's case upon Agrippa's arrival but allowed some time for the formalities of greeting and likely other administrative duties. This delay may also highlight Festus's deliberate approach to an inherited, sensitive matter.
  • there: Specifically refers to Caesarea, the provincial capital where Festus had taken up residence and where Paul was incarcerated.
• Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying,
  • Festus: Porcius Festus, the newly appointed Roman procurator of Judea. His newness to the office and the local customs contributed to his need for expert counsel.
  • laid... before: (ἀνέθετο, anetheto). From anatithēmi, meaning "to place upon," "to commit a matter to another," "to refer for counsel." This is a formal presentation, indicating that Festus was seeking official advice or consultation regarding the judicial problem.
  • Paul's case: (περὶ τοῦ Παύλου πρᾶγμα, peri tou Paulou pragma). Pragma (πρᾶγμα) signifies "a matter," "an affair," "business," or specifically in legal contexts, "a case." Festus is referring to the entirety of the legal proceedings, accusations, and Paul's status.
  • the king: Agrippa II (Herod Agrippa II). Though a client king rather than ruler of Judea itself, he held significant influence and, crucially, possessed an unparalleled understanding of Jewish law, traditions, and political intricacies among the Roman authorities. His sister, Bernice, was with him.
  • saying: Introduces Festus's direct quote, summarizing the background of Paul's situation.
• “There is a certain man left by Felix as a prisoner,"
  • There is: Introduces the topic with emphasis, signaling a problem requiring attention.
  • a certain man: (ἀνὴρ τις, anēr tis). This informal but definite phrasing ("a certain man" or "a specific man") identifies Paul without immediately delving into his name or detailed status. It highlights him as an individual problem among others.
  • left by Felix: (καταλελειμμένον ὑπὸ Φήλικος, kataleleimmenon hypo Phelix). The participle kataleleimmenon means "left behind," "abandoned," or "bequeathed." This underscores that Paul's imprisonment was a direct inheritance from Festus's predecessor, Felix, who deliberately left Paul in jail, partly to appease the Jews (Acts 24:27). This phrase helps Festus explain the historical context and potentially distance himself from the initial questionable decision.
  • as a prisoner: (δέσμιον, desmion). This term clearly defines Paul's current legal status as one who is bound and incarcerated.

Acts 25 14 Bonus section

• Precedent for Legal Consultation: This incident reflects standard Roman provincial governance, where governors often consulted local kings or prominent individuals with specialized knowledge of local customs and laws, particularly in regions with unique legal systems like Judea. This practice aimed to ensure administrative smoothness, maintain peace, and avoid misinterpretations that could lead to rebellion or charges of misrule.
• Festus's Motivation: Beyond a genuine need for clarification, Festus's consultation with Agrippa could also be a strategic move to deflect responsibility or share the burden of judgment in a potentially sensitive religious dispute, especially since Paul had already appealed to Caesar. Festus needed a coherent report for the Emperor, and Agrippa's expertise was invaluable for framing the Jewish accusations intelligibly to Roman imperial ears.
• Agrippa's Enthusiasm: While Festus was trying to solve a bureaucratic problem, Agrippa's response in Acts 25:22 ("I should like to hear the man myself") suggests a genuine curiosity about Paul and his teachings, given his familiarity with Jewish affairs and likely common reports about "the Way" (Christianity).
• Fulfillment of God's Will: The journey to this meeting, initiated by Festus and Agrippa, is a direct fulfillment of God's declared plan for Paul's ministry—to testify before Gentiles and kings (Acts 9:15). God works through the legal and political structures of the Roman Empire to position His chosen servant exactly where He needs him to be, paving the way for the Gospel to be heard even in the highest echelons of power.

Acts 25 14 Commentary

Acts 25:14 serves as a crucial exposition of Festus's dilemma and a pivot point for Paul's continued testimony. Festus, inheriting a two-year-old, politically charged, and religiously nuanced legal case, understood his need for expert counsel. King Agrippa II, with his deep knowledge of Jewish laws and customs, was the ideal consultant. Festus's introductory phrase, framing Paul as "a certain man left by Felix as a prisoner," is masterfully concise. It acknowledges Paul's inherited status, highlights the prior governor's action, and implicitly establishes a context of an unresolved matter that Festus now faces. This initiative is not merely bureaucratic but divinely orchestrated, setting the stage for Paul to powerfully present the Gospel before yet another powerful ruler, fulfilling the Lord's earlier prophetic commission for Paul to testify before kings. The entire scenario showcases God's providence, using human governmental structures and legal processes to advance His eternal plan of global witness for Christ.