Acts 25:13-27 Lesson 278

Acts 25:13-27
Lesson 278

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Paul meets the King.

Paul before Festus, King Herod Agrippa, and Bernice.

By the Russian painter and art professor Nikolai Bodarevsky (1850-1921).

Who were -

King Agrippa -
King Herod Agrippa II was the son of Herod Agrippa I, who killed the apostle James (12:1-2) and was killed by an angel in AD 44 (12:21-23). Agrippa 11's grandfather was Herod Antipas, who mocked Jesus (Luke 23:11) and had John the Baptist beheaded (Matthew 14:6-11). He was also the great-grandson to Herod the Great who tried to kill the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:1-20). His sisters were Drusilla and Bernice, with whom he had an incestuous relationship. Agrippa 11 was born in Rome in AD 27 and died in AD 100 at 73. He was appointed King by the Romans and ruled northeast Palestine. He was Jewish, well versed in Hebrew law and customs, and served as the liaison between Rome and the Jews. Agrippa controlled all Temple affairs, including its treasury, and appointed the Jewish high priests. A prolific builder, he continued the construction programs begun by his great-grandfather, Herod the Great. Agrippa 11 was the last of the Herod dynasty that had governed Palestine for almost one hundred and fifty years. When the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70, he and his sister Bernice moved to Rome.

Bernice -
The oldest daughter of King Herod Agrippa I and the sister of King Agrippa II and Drusilla (Governor Felix's wife). After the death of her first husband, Bernice married her uncle Herod, king of Chalcis. They had two sons together. When Herod died in AD 40, she began an incestuous relationship with her brother Agrippa II. She eventually married for the third time but deserted her husband and returned to her brother. When the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70, she moved to Rome and became mistress to the Roman Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus.

Study Tip:

"In Bible reading, we need to watch ourselves very closely, lest our thoughts wander, and our reading become perfunctory and meaningless. We must determine resolutely to keep our minds on what we are reading, doing our best to form an intelligent conception of it, and being on the lookout for lessons for ourselves."

Henry Hampton Halley, minister and religious writer (1874-1965).

The Acts of the Apostles

The King James Bible

Acts 25:13-27
Festus consults Agrippa

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.

14 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:

15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

Margin notes:

"Festus declared Paul's cause." (25:14) - "Festus outlined Paul's case."

"There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix." (25:14) - "There is a man left in jail by Felix." See verse 24:27.

"When I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me." (25:15) - When Festus went to Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders begged Festus to punish Paul. See verses 25:1-2.

"Have licence to answer for himself" (25:16) - "Have the chance to defend himself."

"I sat on the judgment seat." (25:17) - See verse 25:6.

"As I supposed." (25:18) - "As I expected."

"Certain questions against him of their own superstition." (25:19) - The Jews charged Paul with crimes against their religion (23:29). Unfortunately for them, the Romans weren't prone to get involved in religious matters.

"Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive." (25:19) - This is the essential ingredient of Christian faith and teaching. Jesus was dead, then resurrected.

"Because I doubted of such manner of questions." (25:20) - "Because I don't know much about such things."

"Augustus." (25:21) - Means "august," "emperor," or "venerable." Julius Caesar was the first emperor to be called Augustus. All succeeding emperors carried the title.

"I have determined to send him." (25:25) - See verses 25:12.

"I might have somewhat to write." (25:26) - "I might have something to write (to Rome)."

New Living Translation

Acts 25:13-27

13 A few days later King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice, to pay their respects to Festus.

14 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.

15 When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn him.

16 I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves.

17 "When his accusers came here for the trial, I didn't delay. I called the case the very next day and ordered Paul brought in.

18 But the accusations made against him weren't any of the crimes I expected.

19 Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.

20 I was at a loss to know how to investigate these things, so I asked him whether he would be willing to stand trial on these charges in Jerusalem.

21 But Paul appealed to have his case decided by the emperor. So I ordered that he be held in custody until I could arrange to send him to Caesar."

22 "I'd like to hear the man myself," Agrippa said.

And Festus replied, "You will-tomorrow!"

Paul Speaks to Agrippa

23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in.

24 Then Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem.

25 But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.

26 "But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write.

27 For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!"

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. Who was at Paul's trial?

"Contentment comes when God's will is more important than our wants."

Anne Cetas, Christian writer

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. Besides governor Festus, King Agrippa, and his sister Bernice, many high-ranking military officers, and city leaders attended Paul's trial (25:23). Christianity was spreading rapidly, and a celebrity like Paul standing trial created interest throughout the city. Everybody who was anybody was there.

Application thought for the day:

The spectators entered the courtroom with "pomp," worthy of a king (25:23). They were wealthy, well dressed, and well-fed. Yet, compared to Paul's wisdom, faith, and devotion to God, they were poor, dressed in rags, and starving for the truth. Physically Paul was the prisoner, but spiritually he was the only liberated person at the hearing.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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