Acts 25:4

4 Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.

Acts 25:4 in Other Translations

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly.

4 But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon.

4 Festus answered that Caesarea was the proper jurisdiction for Paul, and that he himself was going back there in a few days.

4 However, Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to go there shortly.

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 where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul.

3 They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.

4 Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.

5 Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

6 After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him.

Cross References

• 1. Acts 24:23
• 2. S Acts 8:40