Acts 25:25 Study Bible: But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.

◄ Acts 25:25 ►

But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.

But I found he had done nothing worthy of death
This phrase reflects the Roman legal perspective on the charges against Paul. The Roman governor, Festus, acknowledges that Paul has not committed any crime deserving of capital punishment. This aligns with the broader narrative in Acts where Roman officials repeatedly find no legal basis for the accusations against Paul (Acts 23:29, Acts 26:31). The Jewish leaders accused Paul of blasphemy and sedition, but Roman law required evidence of a crime against the state, which they could not provide. This echoes the trial of Jesus, where Pilate also found no fault in Him (Luke 23:4, John 18:38).

and since he has now appealed to the Emperor
Paul's appeal to the Emperor, Caesar, was a legal right of Roman citizens, which Paul exercised to avoid a biased trial in Jerusalem. This appeal was significant because it shifted the jurisdiction from a local to an imperial level, ensuring a more impartial hearing. The Emperor at the time was Nero, known for his initial fair governance before his later tyranny. This appeal also fulfilled God's promise to Paul that he would testify in Rome (Acts 23:11), demonstrating God's sovereignty in using legal systems to accomplish His purposes.

I decided to send him
Festus's decision to send Paul to Rome was both a legal obligation and a strategic move to resolve a politically sensitive situation. By sending Paul to Rome, Festus avoided potential unrest among the Jewish leaders while adhering to Roman legal procedures. This decision set the stage for Paul's journey to Rome, where he would continue his ministry and fulfill his calling to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). This journey also symbolizes the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to the heart of the Roman Empire, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul
The apostle who is on trial, having been accused by Jewish leaders of crimes against their law and the Roman state. He appeals to Caesar for a fair trial.

2. Festus
The Roman governor of Judea who succeeded Felix. He is responsible for hearing Paul's case and determining the next steps.

3. Caesar (Emperor)
The Roman Emperor to whom Paul appeals. At this time, it is likely Nero, known for his initial fair rule but later infamous for his persecution of Christians.

4. Jewish Leaders
They are the accusers of Paul, seeking to have him condemned for blasphemy and sedition.

5. Caesarea
The location where Paul is being held and where Festus is governing. It is a significant Roman administrative center in Judea.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Trials
Even when falsely accused, Paul trusts in God's plan. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is in control, even in unjust situations.

The Right to Appeal
Paul uses his rights as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar. Christians can learn the importance of using legal rights and systems to seek justice.

Integrity in Accusations
Festus finds no fault in Paul, highlighting the importance of maintaining integrity so that accusations against us are unfounded.

Courage in Witnessing
Paul's boldness in appealing to Caesar shows his commitment to spreading the Gospel, regardless of personal risk. Believers are encouraged to be courageous in their witness.

Trust in God's Timing
Paul’s journey to Rome was not immediate, teaching us patience and trust in God's timing for His promises to be fulfilled.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Paul's appeal to Caesar demonstrate his trust in God's plan for his life, and how can we apply this trust in our own challenging situations?

2. In what ways can Christians today use their legal rights to further the Gospel, as Paul did by appealing to Caesar?

3. Reflect on a time when you faced false accusations. How can Paul's example of integrity and trust in God guide your response?

4. How does the role of Festus as a governing authority relate to the teachings in Romans 13:1-7 about respecting and interacting with authorities?

5. What can we learn from Paul's patience and perseverance in waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled, and how can this be applied to our personal faith journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Acts 23:11
This verse connects to Acts 25:25 as it shows God's promise to Paul that he will testify in Rome, which is being fulfilled through his appeal to Caesar.

Philippians 1:12-14
Paul’s imprisonment and trials are seen as opportunities for the advancement of the Gospel, demonstrating how God uses difficult circumstances for His purposes.

Romans 13:1-7
This passage discusses the role of governing authorities, which is relevant to understanding Paul's interaction with Roman officials like Festus.

Sermons

Agrippa and Bernice	Dean Plumptre.	Acts 25:13-27
Face to Face		Acts 25:13-27
Paul Before Princes and Rulers	K. Gerok.	Acts 25:13-27
Paul in the Presence of King Agrippa	R.A. Redford	Acts 25:13-27
Paul's Introduction to Agrippa	D. Thomas, D. D.	Acts 25:13-27
The Blindness of Mere Worldly Education in Matters of Christian Truth	K. Gerok.	Acts 25:13-27
The Judgment of Worldly Men Concerning Matters of Faith	Lisco.	Acts 25:13-27
The Principles of a Sound Administration	K. Gerok.	Acts 25:13-27
Worldly Judgment on Religious Matters	E. Johnson	Acts 25:13-27
How the Christian is Regarded by the World	J. W. Burn.	Acts 25:22-27
Motives for Hearing	K. Gerok.	Acts 25:22-27
Power, Degeneracy, and Consecration	W. Clarkson	Acts 25:22-27
The Audience Chamber of Caesarea	K. Gerok.	Acts 25:22-27
The Vanity of Regal Pomp		Acts 25:22-27
The Voluptuary's Desire for a New Sensation	H. R. Haweis, M. A.	Acts 25:22-27
The Worth of Worldly Glory	A. Farindon.	Acts 25:22-27

People

Agrippa, Augustus, Bernice, Felix, Festus, Paul

Places

Caesarea, Jerusalem

Topics

Anything, Appeal, Appealed, Augustus, Caesar, Cause, Committed, Death, Decided, Deserved, Deserving, Determined, Die, Discover, Emperor, Judged, Nothing, Opinion, Request, Rome, Sebastus, Worthy

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Acts 25:25

5305 empires
8277 innocence

Library

1 Cor. 15:3-4. Foundation Truths.
[4] "I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; "And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures."--1 Cor. 15:3-4. THE text which heads this paper is taken from a passage of Scripture with which most Englishmen are only too well acquainted. It is the chapter from which the lesson has been selected, which forms part of the matchless Burial Service of the Church of England. Of …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Whether a Judge May Condemn a Man who is not Accused?
Objection 1: It would seem that a judge may pass sentence on a man who is not accused. For human justice is derived from Divine justice. Now God judges the sinner even though there be no accuser. Therefore it seems that a man may pass sentence of condemnation on a man even though there be no accuser. Objection 2: Further, an accuser is required in judicial procedure in order that he may relate the crime to the judge. Now sometimes the crime may come to the judge's knowledge otherwise than by accusation; …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Ambition is Opposed to Magnanimity by Excess?
Objection 1: It seems that ambition is not opposed to magnanimity by excess. For one mean has only one extreme opposed to it on the one side. Now presumption is opposed to magnanimity by excess as stated above ([3363]Q[130], A[2]). Therefore ambition is not opposed to it by excess. Objection 2: Further, magnanimity is about honors; whereas ambition seems to regard positions of dignity: for it is written (2 Macc. 4:7) that "Jason ambitiously sought the high priesthood." Therefore ambition is not opposed …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether it is Lawful for the Accused to Escape Judgment by Appealing?
Objection 1: It would seem unlawful for the accused to escape judgment by appealing. The Apostle says (Rom. 13:1): "Let every soul be subject to the higher powers." Now the accused by appealing refuses to be subject to a higher power, viz. the judge. Therefore he commits a sin. Objection 2: Further, ordinary authority is more binding than that which we choose for ourselves. Now according to the Decretals (II, qu. vi, cap. A judicibus) it is unlawful to appeal from the judges chosen by common consent. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Acts 26:24-29. Portraits.
[10] "And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. "But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. "For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. "Then Agrippa said …
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

Messiah Worshipped by Angels
Let all the angels of God worship Him. M any of the Lord's true servants, have been in a situation so nearly similar to that of Elijah, that like him they have been tempted to think they were left to serve the Lord alone (I Kings 19:10) . But God had then a faithful people, and He has so in every age. The preaching of the Gospel may be compared to a standard erected, to which they repair, and thereby become known to each other, and more exposed to the notice and observation of the world. But we hope …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Candour of the Writers of the New Testament.
I make this candour to consist in their putting down many passages, and noticing many circumstances, which no writer whatever was likely to have forged; and which no writer would have chosen to appear in his book who had been careful to present the story in the most unexceptionable form, or who had thought himself at liberty to carve and mould the particulars of that story according to his choice, or according to his judgment of the effect. A strong and well-known example of the fairness of the evangelists …
William Paley—Evidences of Christianity

The Intercession of Christ
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us! T he Redemption of the soul is precious. Fools make mock of sin (Proverbs 14:9) . But they will not think lightly of it, who duly consider the majesty, authority, and goodness of Him, against whom it is committed; and who are taught, by what God actually has done, what sin rendered necessary to be done, before a sinner could have a well-grounded …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Jerusalem to Rome
Acts 21:17-28:31 THIS JOURNEY Scripture, Acts 21:17-28:31 1. The speech before the Jewish mob in the temple (Acts 22:1-29) in which Paul tells the Jews how he was changed from a persecutor to a believer in Christ. He relates also the story of his conversion. 2. The speech before the Jewish council (Acts 22:30; 23:1-10) in which he creates confusion by raising the question of the resurrection. But the provocation was great for the high-priest had commanded that Paul be smitten …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem.
Acts 13-28 and all the rest of the New Testament except the epistles of John and Revelation. The Changed Situation. We have now come to a turning point in the whole situation. The center of work has shifted from Jerusalem to Antioch, the capital of the Greek province of Syria, the residence of the Roman governor of the province. We change from the study of the struggles of Christianity in the Jewish world to those it made among heathen people. We no longer study many and various persons and their …
Josiah Blake Tidwell—The Bible Period by Period

One Argument which Has Been Much Relied Upon but not More than Its Just Weight...
One argument which has been much relied upon (but not more than its just weight deserves) is the conformity of the facts occasionally mentioned or referred to in Scripture with the state of things in those times, as represented by foreign and independent accounts; which conformity proves, that the writers of the New Testament possessed a species of local knowledge which could belong only to an inhabitant of that country and to one living in that age. This argument, if well made out by examples, is …
William Paley—Evidences of Christianity

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