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Acts 25:4

in Acts 25

But Festus replied, “Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Cæsarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly.

KJV

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

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This verse in Acts 25

Commentary

8 notes on this verse

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea - It is truly astonishing that Festus should refuse this favor to the heads of the Jewish nation, which, to those who were not in the secret, must appear so very reasonable; and especially as, on his coming to the government, it might be considered an act that was likely to make him popular; and he could have no interest in denying their request.

This site's exposition

Paul should be kept at Cesarea

on Acts 25:4-5

Festus refuses the transfer, insisting Paul remain at Caesarea where he himself would shortly return, a decision that unknowingly saves Paul's life a second time. He invites the accusers to come down with him instead, offering exactly the face-to-face process Roman law required and the plotters had tried to bypass. The refusal reads as ordinary administrative caution, yet the text lets the reader see what Festus could not, that caution alone had just defeated an assassination.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily on Acts 51 · Written in the 5th century.

proposed

What are ye afraid of? What are ye in such a hurry? In fact, that expression, "that he should be kept" shows this. Does he want to escape? "Let them therefore," he says, "which among you are able, accuse him." Again accusers, again at Caesarea, again Paul is brought forth. And having come, immediately "he sat on the judgment-seat" with all his haste: they so drove, so hurried him.

The Medieval Church1 voice

A commentator

Bede

Retractions on Acts · Written before 735.

proposed

But Festus replied that Paul was being kept in Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart soon. "Soon," he says, naturally means "quickly," although sometimes it is said to be "sooner" when something is done more slowly and with mature counsel. For in …

The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

But Festus answered - So Festus's care to preserve the imperial privileges was the means of preserving Paul's life. By what invisible springs does God govern the world!

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

Paul's trial before Festus. Festus staid at Jerusalem about ten days, and then went down to Cæsarea, and the prosecutors, it is likely, in his retinue; for he said they should go down with him; and, since they are so eager in the prosecution, he is willing this cause should be first called; and, that they may hasten home, he will despatch it the next day.
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea,....
1 more voice on this verse

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

But Festus answered ... - What induced Festus to refuse their request is not known. It is probable, however, that he was apprised that Paul was a Roman citizen, and that his case could not come before the Jewish Sanhedrin, but must be heard by himself. As Caesarea was also at that time the residence of the Roman governor, and the place of holding the courts, and as Paul was lodged there safely, there did not appear to be any sufficient reason for removing him to Jerusalem for trial. Festus, however, granted them all that they could reasonably ask, and assured them that he should have a speedy trial.

The words behind it

16 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

3 in all, six open

The walk

5 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Acts 24:23

    He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.

    it leads to

    • Acts 28:16

      When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

    • Acts 27:3

      The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care.

    • Proverbs 16:7

      When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

    • Acts 23:35

      he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium.

    • Acts 24:26

      At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.

Where this verse is studied

About Acts

The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
The Ascension, Gustave Doré, 1866. Public domain.
Acts: the study guide →Read Acts 25 →
This page draws on 9 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Retractions on Acts; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Acts 51; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Read on in Acts 25 →