Acts 25:1

Paul before Festus

1 Festus then, having arrived in 1the province, three days later went up to Jerusalem from 2Caesarea.

Acts 25:1 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 25:1

Now when Festus was come into the province
Of Judea, which was a Roman province, over which he was made governor by Nero, the Roman emperor, in the room of Felix; he now being landed in some part of the province, namely, at Caesarea, and so might be said to have entered upon the government of it, as the phrase will bear to be rendered;

after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem;
he very likely came by sea from Italy to Judea, and landed at Caesarea; for though Joppa was the nearest port to Jerusalem, yet Caesarea was the safest, and most commodious port, being made so by Herod; (See Gill on Acts 18:22), and besides, it seems to have been very much the residence of the kings and governors of Judea, ( Acts 12:19 ) ( Acts 23:23 Acts 23:33 ) here Festus stayed three days after his landing, to rest himself after the fatigue of the voyage, and then went up to Jerusalem, the metropolis of the province of Judea.

Acts 25:1 In-Context

1 Festus then, having arrived in the province, three days later went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
2 And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews brought charges against Paul, and they were urging him,
3 requesting a concession against Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, setting an ambush to kill him on the way ).
4 Festus then answered that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself was about to leave shortly.
5 "Therefore," he said, "let the influential men among you go there with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them prosecute him."

Cross References 2

  • 1. Acts 23:34
  • 2. Acts 8:40; Acts 25:4, 6, 13
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