Paul Appeals to Caesar

Acts 25

1 Now three days after Festus had arrived in i the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews j laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3 asking as a favor against Paul 1 that he summon him to Jerusalem - because k they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. 4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. 5 "So," said he, "let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him."

6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on l the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him m that they could not prove. 8 Paul argued in his defense, "Neither n against o the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor p against Caesar have I committed any offense." 9 But Festus, q 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?" 10 But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's r tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 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. s I appeal to Caesar." 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, "To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go."

  1. Cross References
    Acts 23:34
    On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 25:15
    And when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 9:24
    But their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him.
  4. Cross References
    Acts 25:10
    But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well.
    Acts 25:17
    So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.
    Matthew 27:19
    Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 24:13
    Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 24:12
    And they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.
    Acts 28:17
    After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
    Acts 6:13
    And they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law.
  7. Cross References
    John 7:19
    Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?
    John 19:7
    The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.
  8. Cross References
    John 19:12
    From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, "If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.
  9. Cross References
    Acts 24:27
    When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 25:6
    After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.
    Acts 25:17
    So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 26:32
    And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.
    Acts 28:19
    But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar - though I had no charge to bring against my nation.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Next Book Next Book