Acts 25 9

Acts 25:9 kjv

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

Acts 25:9 nkjv

But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?"

Acts 25:9 niv

Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?"

Acts 25:9 esv

But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?"

Acts 25:9 nlt

Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, "Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?"

Acts 25 verses

Acts 25 9 Meaning

Acts 25:9 describes the new Roman procurator Festus's attempt to gain favor with the Jewish leaders shortly after arriving in Caesarea. He offers Paul the option of being tried in Jerusalem before him, rather than continuing the trial in Caesarea. This proposition was politically motivated, aiming to appease the Sanhedrin and secure goodwill from his new province's elite, despite the inherent danger this posed to Paul.

Acts 25 9 Context

Acts 25 opens with Festus, the new Roman procurator, arriving in the province to assume his duties, succeeding Felix. Within three days, he goes to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and leading men of the Jews immediately present their case against Paul, requesting he be brought to Jerusalem—a thinly veiled attempt to ambush and kill him (Acts 25:1-3). Festus, though new, asserts Roman legal procedure by stating Paul must be held in Caesarea but offers them to come down and press their charges (Acts 25:4-5). When Paul is brought before Festus in Caesarea, the Jewish leaders make various unsubstantiated accusations (Acts 25:6-8). Festus, keenly aware of the political tension and desirous of making a favorable impression on his new Jewish subjects, responds with the offer in verse 9. This scene highlights the persistent hostility of the Jewish leadership towards Paul and the Roman authorities' common practice of balancing law with political expediency.

Acts 25 9 Word analysis

• But: Greek: δέ (de). A conjunction indicating a shift, contrast, or continuation. Here, it contrasts Paul's clear defense with Festus's political maneuvering.
• Festus: Greek: Φῆστος (Phēstos). The Roman procurator of Judea, replacing Felix. He was historically known for a relatively short and difficult tenure, often struggling to maintain peace. His political pragmatism is evident here.
• wishing: Greek: θέλων (thelōn). Participle of thelō, "to desire, to will." Indicates his intention or motive. This isn't just an idle thought but a driving purpose.
• to do: Greek: καταθέσθαι (katathesthai). Participle of katatithēmi, usually "to lay down" or "deposit." Here, in combination with "favor," it means "to perform," "to confer," or "to procure."
• the Jews: Greek: τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις (tois Ioudaiois). Referring to the influential Jewish leaders, particularly those in Jerusalem who accused Paul, and by extension, the wider Jewish populace in the province. Festus wanted to ingratiate himself with the local population.
• a favor: Greek: χάριν (charin). "Grace," "favor," "goodwill." This term highlights that Festus's motivation was not primarily justice but currying political support and acceptance from his new subjects, specifically those in power.
• answered: Greek: ἀπεκρίθη (apekrithē). Aorist passive indicative of apokrinomai, "to answer, reply." Standard narrative verb, indicating his verbal response to Paul.
• Paul: Greek: Παῦλος (Paulos). The apostle, a Roman citizen, unjustly imprisoned, now standing trial.
• Are you willing: Greek: θέλεις (theleis). From thelō, "do you wish," "are you disposed." Festus frames this as a choice for Paul, implying a concession to the Jews that might seem beneficial. It's an inquiry, not a command.
• to go up: Greek: ἀναβαίνειν (anabainein). Infinitive, "to ascend." Used for going from a lower place (Caesarea, coastal) to a higher place (Jerusalem, inland plateau), but also carrying connotations of importance for Jerusalem.
• to Jerusalem: Greek: εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα (eis Hierosolyma). The capital city of Judea, seat of the Sanhedrin, and location of earlier conspiracies against Paul. For Paul, it represented great danger.
• and there: Greek: κἀκεῖ (kakei). Contraction of kai ekei, "and there," emphasizing the specific location for the proposed trial.
• stand trial: Greek: κρίνεσθαι (krinethai). Infinitive, "to be judged," "to be tried," "to appear before a court." This implies a continuation of the legal process.
• before me: Greek: ἐπ' ἐμοῦ (ep' emou). "In my presence," "before my judgment." Festus tries to assure Paul he would still preside, but the change of venue was critically dangerous.
• on these charges: Greek: περὶ τούτων (peri toutōn). "Concerning these things," "regarding these matters." Refers to the accusations brought by the Jews against Paul regarding Jewish law and disturbing the peace.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor": This phrase immediately establishes Festus's primary motivation as political appeasement rather than unbiased justice. He inherited a situation from Felix (Acts 24:27) where pleasing the Jews was seen as beneficial for a Roman governor's standing. It foreshadows a compromise of integrity.
• "answered Paul, 'Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem'": The question is presented as an offer to Paul, cloaking the true, dangerous implications of the change of venue. Festus makes it seem like Paul has a choice, despite the clear danger.
• "and there stand trial before me on these charges": While Festus guarantees he would still preside, the locale of Jerusalem placed Paul directly into the den of his most violent opponents. A Roman trial in Jerusalem would be highly susceptible to pressure from the Sanhedrin and the volatile populace, unlike a trial in the Roman city of Caesarea. The mention of "these charges" underscores that the legal accusations would remain, but the fairness of the process would be drastically compromised.

Acts 25 9 Bonus section

This incident perfectly illustrates a common challenge faced by Roman provincial governors: balancing imperial law with local customs and securing the goodwill of powerful local factions. Governors were often under pressure from Rome to maintain peace and collect taxes, making political appeasement a frequent, albeit morally dubious, strategy. Paul, a Roman citizen, wisely recognized the inherent danger in Festus's seemingly reasonable offer. His subsequent appeal to Caesar was not only a protection of his legal rights but also a critical step in God's sovereign plan to bring the gospel to Rome, an outcome foreshadowed by a vision he received earlier (Acts 23:11). The account also provides a historical example of why Christ-followers should be cautious when authorities suggest options that compromise safety or justice in the guise of choice.

Acts 25 9 Commentary

Acts 25:9 reveals the perennial tension between political expediency and justice. Festus, fresh in his role as procurator, mirrors Felix's earlier actions by prioritizing "doing a favor" to the influential Jewish leaders. His offer to Paul was a calculated political move to gain popular support, putting Paul in grave peril in Jerusalem where assassinations had previously been plotted against him. This proposition highlights the corruption of judicial integrity when human favor trumps righteous judgment. It sets the stage for Paul's crucial decision to appeal to Caesar, thus diverting God's chosen messenger towards Rome, fulfilling earlier prophecies despite human machinations.