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Acts | 1-8: | 9-18  | 19:1-20 | 19:21-41 | 20:1-16 | 20:17-38 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 23:12-35 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28:1-16 |

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These small group Bible studies of Acts 25 contain commentary, discussion questions, and practical application.  Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.

Acts 25 Bible Study Guide – Paul Under Trial – Reacting to an Unfair System

Outline

I. Paul appeals to Caesar (1-12)
II. Festus explains the case to Agrippa (13-27)

I. Paul appeals to Caesar (1-12)

Discussion Questions

• How many years had passed since Paul was arrested?
• Who was Festus?
• Between Felix and Festus, who appears more reasonable and balanced?
• Why did Paul want to appeal to Caesar? What is the normal purpose of an appeal?
• What might have motivated Festus’ decision to grant the appeal and send Paul to Caesar?
• Have you been untreated unfairly? How can Paul’s response encourage you to respond in those times?
• What Scriptures can guide us about how to respond when we are treated unfairly?

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Festus –

Extra-biblical sources confirm that Festus was a real person who was the Roman governor of Judea after Antonius Felix and before Lucceius Albinus. He governed from approximately 59-62 AD during the reign of Nero.

Josephus mentions him multiple times in his history of the Antiquities of the Jews.

He mentions that Festus was a procurator of Judea and that he was sent as a successor to Felix by Nero, and that he put down various robbers and so-called messiah figures.

“Festus sent forces, both horsemen and footmen, to fall upon those that had been seduced by a certain impostor…” – Antiquities 20.8.9

Josephus also places him at the same time period as King Agrippa II.

Coins have been found that were attributed to both Festus’ and Felix’ administrations.

These politicians mentioned in Acts are undisputably real historical figures.

2. Caesarea –

Caesarea was the Roman administrative capital of Judea during the time of Paul, Pontius Pilate, Felix, and Festus.

This city was on the coast so it was easier to travel back and forth to Rome. It was built by Herod the Great. The name itself shows it had a Roman origin. It was named after Augustus Caesar.

Modern excavations have uncovered many nuggets there including a theater, hippodrome, aqueduct, Roman streets, a palace complex, and inscriptions. These clearly show that Caesarea was a Roman city, military headquarters, and residence of the governors.

The Pontius Pilate inscription discovered in 1961 was some of the first extra-Biblical evidence proving that the Biblical account of Pilate as governor of Judea was correct. Before this, many skeptics doubted the Biblical account.

Paul was kept in Herod’s praetorium (Acts 23:35). This was likely part of the massive palace complex unearthed jutting out into the sea.

A harbor system was also uncovered with docking systems, warehouses, and concrete structures. Paul likely took the ship to Rome directly from this harbor.

The city had a mixture of influences including Greek, Roman, and Jewish. We see in Acts Jews from Jerusalem coming there. This multi-cultural background is also revealed through archaeology.

Below we will discuss the implications of this.

3. Paul’s appeal to Caesar –

Acts 25:11-12 – If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

It is well-known that historically Roman citizens had the right to appeal, called Provocatio, to Caesar. A few preconditions were generally required before an appeal was granted.

A. The accused should be facing serious legal charges. This was not allowed for trivial cases such as small fines. If a guilty charge would result in a serious punishment like execution, it was more likely to be granted.

B. The defendant believed the trial was unjust. If he felt that a local trial put him at an unfair disadvantage, he could appeal.

C. The verdict had not been rendered. Appeals were not allowed after the tribunals had already issued a decision. Otherwise, everyone would appeal a guilty verdict and Caesar would be flooded with cases.

Festus did not believe that Paul had done anything deserving of death. At the same time, he did not want to upset the Jewish leaders.

Acts 25:9 – 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?”

He seems somewhat more honorable than Felix who wanted money from Paul. Festus, like Pilate, was conflicted about punishing who he believed to be an innocent man. His conscience was perhaps more sensitive than Felix’s. Yet he still was afraid of getting on the Jewish leaders’ bad side.

He knew the right thing to do, but he wasn’t courageous enough to do it. Paul’s appeal to Caesar was Festus’ get out of jail free card. He could pass this responsibility on to someone else and get rid of the problem.

On Paul’s part, he ascertained that receiving a fair trial would be difficult with the influential Jewish leaders constantly pressing the governor about him. This chapter also records the second planned ambush to kill Paul. Not only had he been languishing under guard for two years with no result, but his life was in danger as long as he stayed in that area. There was no end in sight to the delays.

Giving in to the request to be sent to Jerusalem for trial was highly dangerous. If he wasn’t killed on the way, the kangaroo court would almost surely finish him off. Therefore, he appeals to Caesar. It was the prudent thing to do.

Application – If you are innocent of a charge, defending yourself to the full extent the law allows is reasonable and prudent. A believer need not lay down and accept and unfair legal proceeding if there is any legal avenue of defense available.

4. Luke’s accurate depiction of history is evidence of the Bible’s credibility –

From Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, to Casarea and Roman court proceedings and appeals, Luke’s description in Acts fits very well with history at that time. He had firsthand knowledge of the things he wrote about. The places, people, and events he describes are real.

It is a reminder the Bible is a book rooted in history. It is not mythology, fiction, or wishful thinking. It is a credible record of how God fulfilled His purposes for humankind in human history through people.

When compared with other religious books, the historical veracity of the Bible comes out on top. For example, the Book of Mormon describes massive civilizations, large wars, horses, chariots, and extensive cities in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans. These are not verified by history or archaeology. Scholars widely recognize that the Bible has extensive archaeological and historical evidence.

That does not mean that every event or person described in the Bible has been proven extra-biblically. It would be an unfair burden to expect, for example, that nomad shepherds such as Isaac from four thousand years ago would leave behind evidence for archaeologists to uncover. It does mean that there is every reason to believe that the Bible is an accurate representation of events and people that really occurred. Since it has proven itself again and again, it is reasonable to believe that those parts which are not yet verified extra-biblically are also credible accounts.

Imagine that you discover an ancient account recording the lives of one hundred people. Because none of those people are attested in other documents you doubt they are real. Over time, discoveries are made which confirm the people in the record. If ten were confirmed, would you believe the other ninety were real? How about if fifty were confirmed? How about if ninety-nine were confirmed? Would you still say, “The last person on the list is fictional?”

Yet that is how some skeptics approach the Bible. Many Biblical characters such as David, Sargon II, Belshazzar, Caiaphas, and Pilate were once disbelieved by skeptics who claimed the writers did not know history and fabricated these accounts. Archaeologists uncovered evidence which gave extra-biblical confirmation of these figures. But did skeptics give up and say, “The Bible is credible?” No. They moved on to the next person on the list and said, “Yeah, but there is no proof for THIS person.”

Believing the Bible does require faith in many points, but that is not a blind faith.

Application – Know what you believe and why you believe it. Do not shirk from skeptics who attack the Bible. Instead, stand strong in faith and defend it, knowing that the Bible has stood strong against every scheme to wipe it out. In fact, there is more archaeological evidence pointing to the truth of the Bible today than ever before.

1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

If you are interested in Biblical archaeology, I highly recommend watching the channel Expedition Bible on Youtube.

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

God’s Word is living and active. It speaks to real people in real situations.

II. Festus explains the case to Agrippa (13-27)

Discussion Questions

• What stands out to you about Festus’ description of the dispute concerning Jesus? Was his observation about the core claims of Christianity correct?
• How important is Jesus’ resurrection to Christianity?
• What does this passage show about Roman court procedures?
• Why do you think Luke records so much about these trials?
• What was the governor’s own conclusion about Paul’s guilt?
• What was the source of Paul’s boldness during these trials?

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Agrippa and Bernice –

This was Agrippa II, great-grandson of Herod the great. His father executed James (Acts 12) and imprisoned Peter before being eaten by worms after receiving divine praise. Agrippa II ruled some small northern territories in Judea and was basically a puppet king. He did have authority over the temple and appointing priests.

It was widely believed in the ancient world that Bernice had an incestuous relationship with Agrippa II, her brother. Scandal followed Bernice as she was romantically involved with multiple high-ranking officials, including the emperor and his son, Titus.

It was these just and illustrious individuals that Paul had the opportunity to appear before.

Acts 25:23 – So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city.

Agrippa and Bernice arrived with pomp and fanfare. Once again, Luke’s historical account fits well with other historical sources. He shows the Herodian dynasty continuing, associates Bernice with Agrippa, and portrays Agrippa as being familiar with Jewish religious matters.

2. The resurrection is the foundation of Christianity –

Acts 25:19 – Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.

Paul had clearly shared of the resurrection with Festus. He had a reasonable understanding of Christianity, rightly pointing out that the key claim was that Jesus rose again from the dead. While this may have been a trivial matter to Festus, it is the foundation upon which our faith is built.

Paul taught that if Jesus did not rise from the dead Christians are to be pitied and our faith is worthless (1 Corinthians 15).

Reflect – Do you believe that Jesus rose from the dead? If so, why?

3. Festus gives Paul’s legal case background to Agrippa –

Festus brings Agrippa up to date on Paul’s case. Unsurprisingly, he paints himself in a positive light.

The key points of the case include:

• The Jewish leaders wanted a sentence of condemnation against Paul.
• Roman customs required that accused and defendant meet face to face.
• The charges against Paul were not typical charges, but a religious dispute.
• Festus suggested Paul go Jerusalem for trial there.
• Paul appealed to Caesar.
• Festus did not believe Paul had done anything deserving of death (25:25)
• Festus desired to record the proper charges before sending Paul to Caesar.

A judge is supposed to be impartial. But both Felix and Festus wanted to give favors to the Jewish leaders. Those Jewish leaders were far more powerful and influential politically than Paul was.

God’s standard is to be just, not to show any partiality either to the rich and powerful or the poor and weak. Justice should not change depending on the size of a person’s bank account or their political clout.

Leviticus 19:15 – You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.

However, the world often does not operate according to God’s standard. It is commonplace for politicians to give preference to powerful lobbyists and groups.

Reflect – In what areas do you need to be an arbiter of justice? How can you reflect God’s justice in that situation?

4. Many people put their trust in politicians or political parties –

The Roman political system in many cases attempted to be fair. They at least had many rules put in place to protect Roman citizens. Roman citizens were allowed to meet their accusers face to face in a trial. They were not to be whipped prior to a trial. They had the right to appeal to Caesar if they viewed the trial as not being fair. Compared to many other political systems, they were more fair.

Paul was a Roman. If he put his trust in the Roman system he would have been sorely disappointed. He had experienced many years of unfair treatment by Roman judges and rulers. But Paul’s hope was not in the Roman government. His hope was in God.

1 Timothy 4:10 – For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

No system in this world will ever be perfectly just because people are sinners and behind every system. Only God is perfectly just.

Psalms 89:14 – Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.

Application – The world we live in is unfair. Politicians and political parties fail. They cannot solve all of our problems. So let us put our faith and hope in God and not in the world, the law, or any politician. Some are fair and many are not.