Paul’s Trial before Festus

1Festus therefore, being come into the province, after three days went up from Cesarea to Jerusalem. 2And the high-priest and principal men among the Jews, appeared before him against Paul, and made application to him, 3begging the favor of him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; for they were preparing an ambush to kill him by the way. 4But Festus answered, that Paul was in custody at Cesarea, and that he himself should go thither soon. 5Therefore, said he, let those of you who are able, go down with me, and if there be any thing bad in this man, let them accuse him.

6And when he had staid among them more than ten days, he went down to Cesarea, and the next day sitting on the tribunal, he commanded Paul to be brought before him. 7And when he was come, the Jews that came down from Jerusalem, stood round about, bringing many heavy charges against Paul, which they were not able to prove: 8he answering in his own defence, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cesar have I committed any offence. 9But 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?

Paul Appeals to Caesar

10Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried: I have done no wrong to the Jews, as thou very well knowest. 11For if I am indeed doing them wrong, and have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be nothing in what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. 12I appeal to Cesar. Then Festus, conferring with his council, answered, Hast thou appealed to Cesar? to Cesar thou shalt go.

Festus Consults Agrippa

13And some days after king Agrippa and Bernice came to Cesarea to salute Festus. 14And as they spent several days there, Festus related Paul's case to the king, saying, There is a man left in custody by Felix: concerning whom, 15when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews appeared in court, desiring judgement against him. 16To whom I answered, it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, till he that is accused have the accusers face to face, and have an opportunity of making his defence concerning the accusation. 17Therefore when they were come hither, making no delay, I sat on the tribunal the next day, and ordered the man to be brought before me. 18Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed they would: 19but had certain questions against him concerning their own religion; and of one Jesus that was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20But I being in doubt as to the dispute concerning these matters, asked him, if he would go to Jerusalem, and there be tried concerning these things. 21But when Paul appealed, to be reserved to the hearing of our sovereign, I ordered him to be kept till I could send him to Cesar. 22Then Agrippa said to Festus, I should be willing to hear the man myself. And he said, thou shalt hear him to-morrow.

Paul before Agrippa and Bernice

23The next day therefore, Agrippa and Bernice coming with much pomp, and entering into the court, together with the chief officers, and men of greatest eminence in the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in. 24And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all that are here present with us, ye see this man, concerning whom all the Jews have applied to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out, that he ought not to live. 25But when I found that he had done nothing worthy of death, and as he himself has appealed to the emperor, I have determined to send him. 26Concerning whom I have nothing certain to write to our sovereign: wherefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that after examination is made I may have somewhat to write. 27For it seems to me absurd, to send a prisoner and not to signify the crimes laid against him."