Lesson 4699

 (Lesson 4699)(12-16-24) Acts 25:1-12 

    “Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.” 

 

   Today’s quote relates that three days after arriving in the province, Governor Festus went to Jerusalem from Caesarea. The chief priests and elders informed him about the charges against Paul, urging him to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, intending to ambush and kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul would be kept in Caesarea, and the accusers could come there to present their case. Several days later, Festus held a hearing in Caesarea, but the accusers could not prove the charges against Paul. Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried. Paul, knowing the danger, appealed to Caesar, exercising his right as a Roman citizen. Festus conferred with his council and confirmed that Paul had appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar he would go. ~