Acts 25:12
New International Version
After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

New Living Translation
Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!”

English Standard Version
Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Berean Literal Bible
Then Festus, having conferred with the Council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go!"

King James Bible
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

New King James Version
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

New American Standard Bible
Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.”

NASB 1995
Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”

NASB 1977
Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”

Amplified Bible
Then Festus, after conferring with [the men who formed] his council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then after Festus conferred with his council, he replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After Festus conferred with his council, he replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go!”

American Standard Version
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto C�sar: unto C�sar shalt thou go.

Contemporary English Version
After Festus had talked this over with members of his council, he told Paul, "You have asked to be tried by the Emperor, and to the Emperor you will go!"

English Revised Version
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou go.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Festus discussed the appeal with his advisers and then replied to Paul, "You have appealed your case to the emperor, so you'll go to the emperor!"

Good News Translation
Then Festus, after conferring with his advisers, answered, "You have appealed to the Emperor, so to the Emperor you will go."

International Standard Version
Festus talked it over with the council and then answered, "To the emperor you have appealed; to the emperor you will go!"

Majority Standard Bible
Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, ?You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!?

NET Bible
Then, after conferring with his council, Festus replied, "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go!"

New Heart English Bible
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed to Cesar? to Cesar thou shalt go.

Weymouth New Testament
Then, after conferring with the Council, Festus replied, "To Caesar you have appealed: to Caesar you shall go."

World English Bible
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then Festus, having communed with the council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you will go.”

Berean Literal Bible
Then Festus, having conferred with the Council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go!"

Young's Literal Translation
then Festus, having communed with the council, answered, 'To Caesar thou hast appealed; to Caesar thou shalt go.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Then Festus, having conversed with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed to Caesar, to Caesar shalt thou go.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Festus having conferred with the council, answered: Hast thou appealed to Caesar? To Caesar shalt thou go.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Festus, having spoken with the council, responded: “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”

New American Bible
Then Festus, after conferring with his council, replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Festus, after he had conferred with his council, replied, “You have appealed to the emperor; to the emperor you will go.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Festus, when he had conferred with his counsellors, decreed, You have appealed to Cæsar. You will go to Cæsar.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And Festus spoke with his Counselors and he said, “You have called for an appeal to Caesar; to Caesar you will go.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then Festus, after conferring with the council, answered: To Caesar have you appealed? To Caesar you shall go.

Godbey New Testament
Then Festus, having spoken with the council, responded, Thou hast appealed unto Caesar; thou shalt go unto Caesar.

Haweis New Testament
I appeal unto C�sar.Then Festus, after conferring with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed to C�sar? to C�sar shalt thou go.

Mace New Testament
upon this, Festus having deliberated with his council, answer'd, "since you have appeal'd to Cesar, to Cesar you shall go."

Weymouth New Testament
Then, after conferring with the Council, Festus replied, "To Caesar you have appealed: to Caesar you shall go."

Worrell New Testament
Then Festus, having consulted with the council, answered, To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go."

Worsley New Testament
I appeal to Cesar. Then Festus, conferring with his council, answered, Hast thou appealed to Cesar? to Cesar thou shalt go.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Appeal to Caesar
11If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!” 13After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.…

Cross References
Acts 26:32
And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

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 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.

Acts 9:15
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

Acts 22:21
Then He said to me, ‘Go! I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Acts 19:21
After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”

Acts 23:35
he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium.

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 27:1
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.

Acts 28:17
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

Acts 13:46-47
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. / For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Acts 18:9-10
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”

Acts 21:11
Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

Acts 16:37-39
But Paul said to the officers, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!” / So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. / They came to appease them and led them out, requesting that they leave the city.

Acts 20:22-23
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.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Have you appealed to Caesar? to Caesar shall you go.

unto Caesar shalt.

Acts 25:21
But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

Acts 19:21
After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

Acts 23:11
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

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Appealed Caesar Cause Cesar Communed Conferred Conferring Council Declared Discussion Festus Go Jews
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Appealed Caesar Cause Cesar Communed Conferred Conferring Council Declared Discussion Festus Go Jews
Acts 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.














Then Festus conferred with his council
Festus, the Roman governor, sought advice from his council, a group of advisors likely composed of legal experts and prominent citizens. This reflects the Roman practice of consulting a consilium for important decisions, ensuring that the governor's actions were legally sound and politically wise. The council's role highlights the Roman emphasis on law and order, contrasting with the often arbitrary justice systems of other ancient cultures. This consultation underscores the gravity of Paul's appeal and the potential implications for Roman governance in Judea.

and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar.
Paul's appeal to Caesar was a legal right of Roman citizens, allowing them to have their case heard by the emperor in Rome. This appeal was significant because it shifted the jurisdiction from a local to an imperial level, demonstrating the privileges of Roman citizenship. Historically, this appeal was made to Nero, who was emperor at the time. Theologically, Paul's appeal can be seen as part of God's providential plan to spread the Gospel to the heart of the Roman Empire, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy in Acts 9:15 that Paul would bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

To Caesar you will go!”
Festus's decision to send Paul to Caesar aligns with Roman legal procedures, where an appeal to the emperor was binding. This phrase marks a pivotal moment in Paul's ministry, as it sets the stage for his journey to Rome, a key location for the spread of Christianity. Theologically, this journey can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to Paul that he would testify in Rome (Acts 23:11). It also serves as a type of Christ, as Paul, like Jesus, is unjustly accused and must face trial, yet his journey is part of a divine plan for the salvation of many.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Festus
Porcius Festus was the Roman governor of Judea, succeeding Felix. He played a crucial role in the legal proceedings against Paul, demonstrating the Roman legal system's influence over Judean affairs.

2. Paul
The apostle Paul, a central figure in the early Christian church, was under trial for charges brought against him by Jewish leaders. His appeal to Caesar was a strategic move to ensure a fair trial and to continue his mission to spread the Gospel.

3. Caesar
Referring to the Roman Emperor, at this time, Nero. Paul's appeal to Caesar was a legal right of Roman citizens, allowing them to have their case heard by the emperor.

4. Council
The group of advisors or legal experts who assisted Festus in making judicial decisions. Their role highlights the structured legal processes of the Roman Empire.

5. Appeal to Caesar
A legal right of Roman citizens to have their case heard by the emperor. This appeal was a pivotal moment in Paul's journey, leading to his eventual travel to Rome.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Legal Systems
Even in secular legal systems, God's purposes can be fulfilled. Paul's appeal to Caesar was part of God's plan to spread the Gospel to Rome.

Strategic Use of Rights
Christians can wisely use their legal rights and privileges to further the Gospel and ensure justice, as Paul did by appealing to Caesar.

Courage in the Face of Injustice
Paul’s boldness in appealing to Caesar despite the risks involved encourages believers to stand firm in their faith and mission, even when facing unjust circumstances.

Trust in God's Promises
Paul's journey to Rome was a fulfillment of God's promise, reminding believers to trust in God's timing and faithfulness.(12) Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.--There is obviously something like a sneer in the procurator's acceptance of St. Paul's decision. He knew, it may be, better than the Apostle to what kind of judge the latter was appealing, what long delays there would be before the cause was heard, how little chance there was of a righteous judgment at last.

Verse 12. - Thou hast for hast thou? A.V. and, as far as punctuation is concerned, T.R. The council. Not the members of the Sanhedrim who were present, but his own consiliarii, or assessores, as they were called, in Greek πάρεδροι, with whom the Roman governor advised before giving judgment. Unto Caesar shalt thou go. In like manner, Pliny (quoted by Kuinoel) says of certain Christians who had appealed to Caesar, that, "because they were Roman citizens, he had thought it right to send them to Rome for trial" ('Epist.,' 10:97). Festus, though, maybe, rather startled by Paul's appeal, was perhaps not sorry to be thus rid of a difficult case, and at the same time to leave the Jews under the impression that he himself was willing to send the prisoner for trial to Jerusalem, had it been possible.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Τότε (Tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

Festus
Φῆστος (Phēstos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5347: Festus. Of Latin derivation; festal; Phestus, a Roman.

conferred
συλλαλήσας (syllalēsas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4814: To talk with, discuss. From sun and laleo; to talk together, i.e. Converse.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

[his]
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

council
συμβουλίου (symbouliou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4824: Neuter of a presumed derivative of sumboulos; advisement; specially, a deliberative body, i.e. The provincial assessors or lay-court.

[and] replied,
ἀπεκρίθη (apekrithē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

“You have appealed
ἐπικέκλησαι (epikeklēsai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1941: (a) To call (name) by a supplementary (additional, alternative) name, (b) mid: To call upon, appeal to, address.

to Caesar.
Καίσαρα (Kaisara)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2541: Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.

To
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

Caesar
Καίσαρα (Kaisara)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2541: Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.

you will go!”
πορεύσῃ (poreusē)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die.


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