Acts 25:4

4 Then Festus replied [that] Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and [he] himself was about to go [there] in a short time.

Acts 25:4 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 25:4

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea,
&c.] Or that he was kept there, and was in proper custody, under the care of a centurion, and should continue there; nor was there any reason why he should be removed, especially since he should return thither speedily, as he adds:

and that he himself would depart shortly thither;
the answer was a very wise and prudent one, and the reasons given were just and strong; as that Paul had been sent to Caesarea, was left bound by his predecessor there; there he found him, and there he was under a proper guard, and there it was right for him to continue; and besides, he himself should make no stay in Jerusalem, but should depart for Caesarea in a few days, and therefore it was very improper to send for Paul thither.

Acts 25:4 In-Context

2 And the chief priests and the most prominent men of the Jews brought charges against Paul to him, and were urging him,

3 asking for a favor against him, that he summon him to Jerusalem, [because they] were preparing an ambush to do away with him along the way.

4 Then Festus replied [that] Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and [he] himself was about to go [there] in a short time.

5 So he said, "Let those among you [who are] prominent go down with [me], [and] if there is any wrong in the man, let them bring charges against him."

6 And [after he] had stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. On the next day he sat down on the judgment seat [and] gave orders [for] Paul to be brought.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation