What does Acts 25:1 mean?

History associates certain names with utter wickedness and depravity. The infamous Emperor Nero is one of these. It says something drastic about the failure of your political career when Nero calls you to account for your corruption and cruelty. This is the case with Felix, whose constituents in Caesarea Maritima sent so many complaints to Rome that he lost his job.

When Porcius Festus arrives to replace him, he immediately tries to build good relationships with the local leaders. He barely has time to drop off his things in Caesarea before he's off to Jerusalem to meet the Sanhedrin: the religious and cultural leaders of the Jews.

Festus's overtures are noble, but his desire for peace outreaches his responsibility for justice. Felix had held Paul under house arrest in Caesarea for two years. Felix knew Paul had not committed any crime, but if he released Paul the Sanhedrin would be a problem. Felix might have been convinced if offered appropriate incentive, but despite his many audiences with Paul, the prisoner refused to offer a bribe (Acts 24:22–27).

When the Sanhedrin meets Festus, they see their chance. They already tried to trick the military tribune in Jerusalem to bring Paul out into the open so they could kill him. That was foiled by Paul's nephew (Acts 23:12–16). They hope to try again. They ask Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem for another trial. Jerusalem is far enough from Caesarea that assassins would have ample time and space to do their work (Acts 25:3).