Chapter
Verse

Acts 25:14

ESV And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix,
NIV Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king. He said: 'There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.
NASB And while they were spending many days there, Festus presented Paul’s case to the king, saying, 'There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix;
CSB Since they were staying there several days, Festus presented Paul's case to the king, saying, "There's a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix.
NLT 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.
KJV 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:

What does Acts 25:14 mean?

Festus, the new governor of Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, is meeting King Agrippa II for the first time. The king is the son of Agrippa I (Acts 12:1–3) and grandson of Herod the Great. In addition, he's an expert in Jewish culture (Acts 26:3). Festus takes advantage of his expertise and asks for help.

Two years prior, then-governor Felix received custody of a suspect accompanied by a letter from the military tribune in Jerusalem. The man, Paul, had been attacked by a mob outside the temple (Acts 21:27–36) and targeted by the Sanhedrin in an assassination plot (Acts 23:12–15). The tribune, Lysias, had investigated but couldn't determine what horrible crime Paul had committed. Lysias sent Paul to Caesarea Maritima for his own protection and so the governor could use his superior authority to figure out what was going on (Acts 23:26–30).

Lysias also sent representatives from the Sanhedrin to make their case. Felix listened to their charges and Paul's defense and determined Paul hadn't broken the law. However, although Felix had no problem using assassins to beat down rebellious mobs, he didn't want to irritate the Jewish ruling council. He didn't charge Paul with anything; neither did he release him. Paul stayed under house arrest for two years until Felix was called back to Rome to answer for his cruelty and Festus took his position (Acts 24).

Festus now asks Agrippa for help. He met with the Sanhedrin and with Paul and agrees with Felix that Paul did nothing wrong. But Paul appealed his case to Caesar and Festus must send him (Acts 25:1–12). Still, he has no charges. Festus is hopeful that Agrippa can give him enough clarity and context to know what to say.
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