Acts 25:1-12

Paul's Appeal to Caesar

After only three days in the province, Porcius Festus went to Jerusalem. There, the high priest and some of the members of the Sanhedrin approached him about bringing Paul up to Jerusalem for a trial. They actually intended to have Paul assassinated along the road. Festus said Paul would remain in Caesarea, where he would shortly go himself. He urged those in authority to come present their charges before him there. In just eight to ten days, Festus went to Caesarea, sat on the judgment seat and called for Paul to be brought before him. The Jews, who may have journeyed with Festus, also appeared before the judgment seat and brought serious charges against Paul. The apostle, according to Luke, simply said he had not sinned against the Jews, the temple or Caesar.

Festus, in an effort to establish good relations with the Jews, asked Paul if he would appear before him in Jerusalem to be judged. Paul answered that he had done no wrong, as Festus well knew, and, as a Roman citizen, would remain before Caesar's judgment seat. He said he was willing to die if guilty of some offense worthy of death but would not be given up to the Jews if innocent. So, he appealed to Caesar. Festus consulted with this own legal advisors and said Paul would go before Caesar as requested (Acts 25:1-12).