Act 25:3 | KingComments | STEP | The scene around Paul has undergone a change. Festus, who succeeded Felix as governor over Judea, has come to live in Caesarea. Caesarea was the political capital, while Jerusalem was the religious capital of Judea, the heart of Judaism. Good relations with Jerusalem were of the utmost importance for the keeping of peace in his area. That is why, soon after moving into his official residence in Caesarea, Festus goes up to Jerusalem to meet the leaders there. There he is immediately confronted with Paul’s cause. After two years the Jews have not forgotten Paul and have not lost their hatred. Since his arrival in Jerusalem, the Jews have always had his death as their goal ( ). Their murderousness has not diminished. A new governor offers a new chance to get rid of their archenemy. A delegation of chief priests and distinguished Jews lodge an accusation against Paul during his visit. The nobility of the group of prosecutors makes it clear how Paul’s case still bothers them. In addition to their accusation, they also submit a request. Paul is still imprisoned in Caesarea and their request is to have him come to Jerusalem. Now that Festus is here and so are they, the case could be settled. Their dirty plan is to ambush Paul on the way and kill him. They also have no confidence that Festus will condemn Paul. If they can arrange it in such a way that they would kill Paul themselves, they are definitely rid of their enemy. But that doesn’t work. Festus may have heard of the earlier plans or read them in reports, but he does not grant the request of the Jews. Paul remained in Caesarea, where he himself would soon return. Here we see the hand of God. Festus wants to oblige the Jews in so far as he gives them the opportunity for the influential men to travel with him and prosecute Paul in Caesarea.

‏ Acts 25:3

Paul Charged Before Festus

The scene around Paul has undergone a change. Festus, who succeeded Felix as governor over Judea, has come to live in Caesarea. Caesarea was the political capital, while Jerusalem was the religious capital of Judea, the heart of Judaism. Good relations with Jerusalem were of the utmost importance for the keeping of peace in his area. That is why, soon after moving into his official residence in Caesarea, Festus goes up to Jerusalem to meet the leaders there.

There he is immediately confronted with Paul’s cause. After two years the Jews have not forgotten Paul and have not lost their hatred. Since his arrival in Jerusalem, the Jews have always had his death as their goal (Acts 21:27-31 ; Acts 22:22 ; Acts 23:10-15 ; Acts 25:3). Their murderousness has not diminished. A new governor offers a new chance to get rid of their archenemy.

A delegation of chief priests and distinguished Jews lodge an accusation against Paul during his visit. The nobility of the group of prosecutors makes it clear how Paul’s case still bothers them. In addition to their accusation, they also submit a request. Paul is still imprisoned in Caesarea and their request is to have him come to Jerusalem. Now that Festus is here and so are they, the case could be settled.

Their dirty plan is to ambush Paul on the way and kill him. They also have no confidence that Festus will condemn Paul. If they can arrange it in such a way that they would kill Paul themselves, they are definitely rid of their enemy.

But that doesn’t work. Festus may have heard of the earlier plans or read them in reports, but he does not grant the request of the Jews. Paul remained in Caesarea, where he himself would soon return. Here we see the hand of God. Festus wants to oblige the Jews in so far as he gives them the opportunity for the influential men to travel with him and prosecute Paul in Caesarea.