What does Acts 26:30 mean?
Porcius Festus has only been the governor in Caesarea Maritima for a few weeks, called to replace Governor Felix who had been summoned to Rome to answer for his cruelty and licentiousness. Festus knows next to nothing about his new territory except that he is determined to have a better relationship with the local leaders. To that end, he had barely dropped off his travelling bags before heading to Jerusalem to meet the Sanhedrin (Acts 25:1).Two years prior, the Sanhedrin had met Felix in Caesarea and attempted to convince him that Paul was a menace to society. Felix quickly determined the Sanhedrin could not prove the charges. Even further, Paul hadn't actually committed a crime. Felix couldn't hand over a Roman citizen, but he didn't want to let Paul go and irritate the Sanhedrin. So, for political reasons, he left Paul in prison (Acts 24:5–6, 27).
When Festus arrived in Jerusalem, the Sanhedrin took up the old case. As before, they came to Caesarea where they repeated their unfounded accusations. Like Felix, Festus couldn't determine what, exactly, Paul had done wrong. While the governor waffled over his decision, Paul appealed his case to a higher court (Acts 25:2–12). Now, Festus must send Paul to Rome, but he has nothing to tell the Roman court. So, he asked King Agrippa II, Agrippa's sister Bernice, and the leaders of Caesarea to hear Paul's testimony (Acts 25:23–27). Unfortunately, they're not as helpful as Festus might like.
Paul has given his defense. Specifically, he has used his opportunity to show that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the prophecies of the Jewish Scriptures. He knows Agrippa, great-grandson of Herod the Great (Matthew 2:1–4), believes the prophets. Paul is even so bold as to challenge Agrippa to believe Jesus (Acts 26:2–3, 26–29).
Now, Paul's audience leaves the auditorium to discuss what they have heard. They quickly decide Paul has done nothing wrong. If he hadn't appealed to Caesar, they would have been compelled to let him go (Acts 26:31–32). Even Festus, who thinks Paul is half-mad (Acts 26:24), clearly sees he is innocent.
Acts 26:24–32 records Governor Felix and King Agrippa II reacting to Paul's testimony. He has just finished giving account of how he accepted Christ and dedicated his life to spreading the gospel. Festus thinks Paul has gone insane. Agrippa understands Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, but he can't accept the personal implications. What they all agree on, however, is that Paul shouldn't be imprisoned. If he hadn't appealed to Caesar, he should have been freed.
Acts 26 records Paul's testimony before the noblemen of Caesarea Maritima, as well as their reactions. He explains that Jewish leaders want him dead because he once persecuted the church, but now believes Jesus rose from the dead and has been spreading that message. Governor Festus thinks Paul has gone mad. King Agrippa II, however, finds his story compelling. They realize that had Paul not appealed to a higher Roman court, they could have let him go.
