Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” New Living Translation Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?” English Standard Version But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” Berean Standard Bible But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?” Berean Literal Bible But Festus, wishing to lay a favor on the Jews, answering, said to Paul, “Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged before me there concerning these things?” King James Bible 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? New King James Version But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?” New American Standard Bible But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?” NASB 1995 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?” NASB 1977 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?” Legacy Standard Bible But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and to be tried before me on these matters?” Amplified Bible But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial there in my presence [before the Jewish Sanhedrin] on these charges?” Berean Annotated Bible But Festus (festival), wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul (humble), “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem (city of peace) to stand trial before me on these charges? Christian Standard Bible But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me there on these charges? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Festus, wanting to do a favor for the Jews, replied to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, there to be tried before me on these charges?” American Standard Version But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Contemporary English Version Festus wanted to please the leaders. So he asked Paul, "Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried by me on these charges?" English Revised Version But Festus, desiring to gain favour with the Jews, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? GOD'S WORD® Translation But Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor. So he asked Paul, "Are you willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried there on these charges with me as your judge?" Good News Translation But Festus wanted to gain favor with the Jews, so he asked Paul, "Would you be willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried on these charges before me there?" International Standard Version Then Festus, wanting to do the Jewish leaders a favor, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried there before me on these charges?" NET Bible But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be tried before me there on these charges?" New Heart English Bible But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?" Webster's Bible Translation But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these things before me? Weymouth New Testament Then Festus, being anxious to gratify the Jews, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there stand your trial before me on these charges?" Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?” World English Bible But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be judged by me there concerning these things?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Festus willing to lay on the Jews a favor, answering Paul, said, “Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged before me there concerning these things?” Berean Literal Bible But Festus, wishing to lay a favor on the Jews, answering, said to Paul, “Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged before me there concerning these things?” Young's Literal Translation And Festus willing to lay on the Jews a favour, answering Paul, said, 'Art thou willing, to Jerusalem having gone up, there concerning these things to be judged before me?' Smith's Literal Translation And Festus, wishing to render a favor to the Jews, having answered Paul, said, Wilt thou, having gone up to Jerusalem, there be judged by me of these things? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut Festus, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, answering Paul, said: Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Catholic Public Domain Version But Festus, wanting to show greater favor to the Jews, responded to Paul by saying: “Are you willing to ascend to Jerusalem and to be judged there about these things before me?” New American Bible Then Festus, wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, said to Paul in reply, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there stand trial before me on these charges?” New Revised Standard Version But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be tried there before me on these charges?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut Festus, because he was willing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, Would you be willing to go to Jerusalem and there be tried of these things before me? Aramaic Bible in Plain English Festus, because he wanted to confer a favor on the Jews, said to Paulus, “Will you go up to Jerusalem and be judged there of these things before me?” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut Festus, willing to confer a favor on the Jews, answered Paul, and said: Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged before me concerning these things? Godbey New Testament And Festus, wishing to confer a gratification on the Jews, responding to Paul, said, Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, there to be judged by me concerning these things? Haweis New Testament Then Festus, desirous of ingratiating himself with the Jews, replying to Paul, said, Wilt thou go up unto Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Mace New Testament but Festus willing to oblige the Jews ask'd him, will you consent to go to Jerusalem, and take your trial before me there? Weymouth New Testament Then Festus, being anxious to gratify the Jews, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there stand your trial before me on these charges?" Worrell New Testament But Festus, wishing to gain favor with the Jews, answering, said to Paul, "Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged there concerning these things before me?" Worsley New Testament But Festus, being desirous to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Art thou willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there to be tried concerning these things before me? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Paul's Trial Before Festus…8Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” 9But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?” 10Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.… Cross References But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, Acts 24:27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. Acts 12:3 And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Mark 15:15 And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified. said to Paul, Acts 26:1-3 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: / “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews, / especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently. Acts 24:24-25 After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. / As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.” “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem Acts 20:22-24 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. / I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. / But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 21:13-14 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” / When he would not be dissuaded, we quieted down and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” Luke 18:31-33 Then Jesus took the Twelve aside and said to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything the prophets have written about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. / He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. / They will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.” to stand trial before me on these charges?” Acts 24:10-13 When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense. / You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. / Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city. … Acts 23:29 I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment. Acts 18:12-16 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. / “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said. / But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint. … Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.” Acts 26:32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Acts 28:19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation. Luke 23:4-7 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” / But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.” / When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. … John 18:28-31 Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover. / So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” / “If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.” … Treasury of Scripture But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? willing. Acts 25:3,20 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him… Acts 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. Jump to Previous Acquire Anxious Approval Charges Connection Desiring Desirous Favor Favour Festus Gain Gratify Jerusalem Jews Judged Lay Obliging Paul Pleasure Stand Trial Willing Wilt WishingJump to Next Acquire Anxious Approval Charges Connection Desiring Desirous Favor Favour Festus Gain Gratify Jerusalem Jews Judged Lay Obliging Paul Pleasure Stand Trial Willing Wilt WishingActs 25 1. The Jews accuse Paul before Festus.8. He answers for himself, 11. and appeals unto Caesar. 14. Afterwards Festus opens his matter to king Agrippa; 23. and he is brought forth. 25. Festus clears him of having done anything worthy of death. But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor Festus had recently succeeded Felix as the Roman governor of Judea. As a new governor, he was keen to establish good relations with the Jewish leaders, who held significant influence in the region. This political maneuvering is reminiscent of Pilate's actions during Jesus' trial, where Roman authorities sought to appease Jewish leaders to maintain peace. The desire to please the Jews reflects the ongoing tension between Roman rule and Jewish autonomy, a theme prevalent throughout the New Testament. said to Paul “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?” Persons / Places / Events 1. FestusThe Roman governor of Judea who succeeded Felix. He is depicted as a political figure trying to maintain peace and favor with the Jewish leaders. 2. Paul The Apostle who is on trial for charges brought against him by the Jewish leaders. He is a Roman citizen and a key figure in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. 3. Jerusalem The city where the Jewish leaders wanted Paul to be tried, likely with the intention of ambushing him. 4. The Jews Referring to the Jewish leaders who were accusing Paul and seeking to have him tried in Jerusalem. 5. Trial The legal proceedings against Paul, which were influenced by political and religious tensions. Teaching Points Political Pressure and IntegrityFestus' desire to please the Jews shows the pressure leaders face to compromise integrity for political gain. Christians are called to uphold truth and justice, even when it is unpopular. Divine Providence Despite human schemes, God’s plan prevails. Paul’s journey to Rome was part of God’s purpose for spreading the Gospel. Trust in God’s sovereignty in our circumstances. Courage in Adversity Paul’s willingness to face trial, even in hostile environments, exemplifies courage and faith. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their convictions. Wisdom in Decision-Making Paul’s response to Festus’ question reflects discernment. Christians should seek God’s wisdom in making decisions, especially when facing trials. The Role of Citizenship Paul’s Roman citizenship played a crucial role in his legal defense. Believers can use their rights and privileges to further God’s kingdom. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 25:9?2. How does Acts 25:9 illustrate human motives conflicting with God's justice? 3. What can we learn about leadership from Festus' actions in Acts 25:9? 4. How does Acts 25:9 connect to Proverbs 29:25 about fearing man over God? 5. How should Christians respond when pressured to compromise their beliefs, as Festus did? 6. What steps can we take to prioritize God's will over human approval? 7. Why did Festus want to do the Jews a favor in Acts 25:9? 8. How does Acts 25:9 reflect political influence on justice? 9. What does Acts 25:9 reveal about Roman governance? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 25? 11. How can Paul’s prohibition of lawsuits among believers (1 Corinthians 6:1–8) align with modern justice systems that rely on secular courts? 12. Why do the charges against Paul in Acts 25:7 remain vague, and how does this ambiguity align or conflict with other New Testament accounts of similar trials? 13. Why does Festus, mentioned in Acts 25:9-11, appear to rely so heavily on the Jewish leaders' accusations instead of conducting a thorough investigation himself? 14. Could the dialog between Paul, Festus, and Agrippa in Acts 25:23-27 be a later literary construction designed to enhance Paul's standing, rather than a factual historical record? What Does Acts 25:9 Mean But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor• Festus is a new Roman governor, keen to start well with the influential Jewish leadership (Acts 24:27). • Like Felix before him and Herod in Acts 12:3, he chooses popularity over principle. • Scripture repeatedly warns that fear of man brings a snare (Proverbs 29:25) and shows how political expediency can eclipse justice (John 19:12). • The literal narrative reminds us that God’s Word accurately portrays both righteous motives and corrupt ones so believers can discern the difference. Said to Paul • Festus speaks directly, projecting fairness, yet his hidden agenda is already stated. • Paul, though a prisoner, is addressed with respect because of his Roman citizenship (Acts 22:25–29). • The conversation highlights how God places His servants before rulers to testify of the gospel, fulfilling Jesus’ promise in Acts 9:15. • We see again that human authorities may be double-minded, but the Lord is steering events toward His purpose (Proverbs 21:1). Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem • The trip sounds reasonable, yet Festus knows a lethal ambush still exists there (Acts 23:12–15). • Paul also knows Jerusalem is death-trap territory; Christ had already told him he would testify in Rome (Acts 23:11). • The question tests Paul’s discernment—will he yield to pressure or cling to God’s prior word? • Believers today face similar invitations that appear harmless but actually tug us away from God’s clear leading. To stand trial before me on these charges? • Festus offers to preside himself, implying continued Roman oversight, but the courtroom would sit inside a volatile city. • The “charges” (Acts 25:7–8) have already proven baseless; moving the venue would only empower Paul’s enemies. • God’s law forbids twisting justice (Exodus 23:6–8), and Paul refuses to enable it. His forthcoming appeal to Caesar (Acts 25:10–12) models using lawful means to advance God’s mission. • The moment exposes the emptiness of legal posturing without truth, contrasting with the unshakable justice of Christ’s kingdom (Isaiah 9:7). summary Acts 25:9 reveals a governor torn between political convenience and judicial integrity. Festus masks people-pleasing as fairness, inviting Paul into a deadly trap under the guise of a “proper” trial. Paul’s awareness, rooted in prior divine guidance and his rights as a Roman, keeps him from surrendering. The verse reminds believers to recognize hidden motives, hold to God’s revealed will, and trust that even flawed authorities serve the Lord’s ultimate plan. (9) Willing to do the Jews a pleasure.--See Note on Acts 24:27. The invitation was in itself plausible enough. It practically admitted that there was no evidence on the last head of the accusation of which he, as procurator, need take cognizance. It offered the prisoner a trial before his own national tribunal, with the presence of the procurator as a check upon violence and injustice. It is manifest from St. Paul's answer that this was practically what Festus meant. The proposed trial would, he says, not be before Caesar's judgment seat, and he, for his part, preferred the secular to the ecclesiastical tribunal.Verse 9. - Desiring to gain favor with the Jews for willing to do the Jews a pleasure, A.V. To gain favor, etc. (see above, Acts 24:27, note). It was not unnatural that Festus, ignorant as he still was of Jewish malice and bigotry and violence, in the case of Paul, and anxious to conciliate a people so difficult to govern as the Jews had showed themselves to be, should make the proposal. In doing so he still insisted that the trial should be before him. Before me; ἐπ ἐμοῦ, as Acts 23:30 and Acts 26:2; ἐπὶ σοῦ "before thee," viz. King Agrippa in the last case, and Felix in the former. The expression is somewhat ambiguous, and may merely mean that Festus would be present in the court to ensure fair play, while the Sanhedrim judged Paul according to their Law, and so Paul seems, by his answer, to have understood it.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Butδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. Festus, Φῆστος (Phēstos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5347: Festus. Of Latin derivation; festal; Phestus, a Roman. wanting θέλων (thelōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. to do the Jews a favor, καταθέσθαι (katathesthai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle Strong's 2698: From kata and tithemi; to place down, i.e. Deposit. said εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to Paul, Παύλῳ (Paulō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle. “Are you willing Θέλεις (Theleis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. to go up ἀναβὰς (anabas) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up. to εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. Jerusalem Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosolyma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 2414: The Greek form of the Hebrew name: Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Hierosolyma to stand trial κριθῆναι (krithēnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive Strong's 2919: Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish. before ἐπ’ (ep’) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. me ἐμοῦ (emou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. on περὶ (peri) Preposition Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time. these [charges]?” τούτων (toutōn) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. Links Acts 25:9 NIVActs 25:9 NLT Acts 25:9 ESV Acts 25:9 NASB Acts 25:9 KJV Acts 25:9 BibleApps.com Acts 25:9 Biblia Paralela Acts 25:9 Chinese Bible Acts 25:9 French Bible Acts 25:9 Catholic Bible NT Apostles: Acts 25:9 But Festus desiring to gain favor (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
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