Festus Presenting Paul's Innocence to Agrippa

After Porcius Festus became the Roman procurator of Judea, succeeding Felix, he inherited the case of Paul, who had been imprisoned for two years ^{[5, 6]}. Festus, upon arriving in Caesarea, discussed Paul's situation with Herod Agrippa II, who had come to pay a courtesy visit to the new governor ^[10]. Agrippa expressed a desire to hear Paul himself, to which Festus agreed, scheduling the hearing for the following day ^[3].

The next day, a significant assembly gathered in the place of hearing. This included Agrippa, his sister Bernice, the chief captains, and the principal men of Caesarea, all convened at Festus's command ^[11]. Paul was brought before them, and Festus formally presented the case. He explained that the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and Caesarea had vehemently demanded Paul's execution, but he had found no capital crime committed by Paul ^[8]. Festus noted that the accusations against Paul concerned "questions of their own religion" and "one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive" [Acts 25:19]. Because Paul had appealed to Caesar, Festus stated that he had decided to send him to Rome [Acts 25:21]. However, Festus admitted he had no clear charge to write to the emperor, hence his decision to bring Paul before Agrippa, hoping that after examination, he would have something concrete to report [Acts 25:26].

Agrippa, as the most honorable person present and holding the title of king, though exercising power under the emperor, presided over the hearing alongside Festus ^{[9, 12]}. He granted Paul permission to speak for himself ^{[7, 12]}. Paul, stretching forth his hand—likely still chained to a soldier—began his defense by addressing Agrippa ^{[7, 9]}. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to speak before Agrippa, especially given Agrippa's knowledge of Jewish customs and controversies [Acts 26:1-3]. Paul then recounted his background as a Pharisee, his zealous persecution of Christians, and his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus ^[13]. He emphasized that his preaching was consistent with the prophets and Moses, proclaiming Christ's suffering and resurrection [Acts 26:22-23].

During Paul's defense, Festus interrupted, exclaiming that Paul was "mad" and that his "much learning" was driving him insane [Acts 26:24]. Paul calmly responded, stating, "I am not raving, most noble Festus, but I am speaking forth declarations of truth and soberness" ^[2]. He then appealed to Agrippa, who he believed was familiar with these events, asserting that "none of these things are hidden from him" [Acts 26:26].

Agrippa's response indicated a degree of conviction or at least consideration. According to the Tyndale translation, Agrippa said to Paul, "Somewhat thou bringest me in mind for to be come a Christian" ^[4]. After Paul's address, Agrippa, Festus, Bernice, and the others withdrew to discuss the matter [Acts 26:30]. They concluded that Paul had done "nothing worthy of death or of bonds" [Acts 26:31]. Agrippa then explicitly stated to Festus, "This man might have been made free, if he had not put his cause before Caesar" ^[1]. This declaration from Agrippa confirmed Paul's innocence in the eyes of the Roman authorities present, though his appeal to Caesar meant he still had to be sent to Rome ^[9].

Sources

Acts “Acts 26:32 (BBE) — And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been made free, if he had not put his cause before Caesar.”
Acts “Acts 26:25 (Rotherham) — But Paul—I am not raving (saith he), most noble Festus,—but, the declarations of truth and soberness, am I sounding forth:”
Acts “Acts 25:22 (BSB) — Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” “Tomorrow you will hear him,” Festus declared.”
Acts “Acts 26:28 (Tyndale) — Agrippa sayde vnto Paul: Sumwhat thou bringest me in mynde for to be come a Christen.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Felix — Happy, the Roman procurator of Judea before whom Paul "reasoned" (Acts 24:25). He appears to have expected a bribe from Paul, and therefore had several interviews with him. The "worthy deeds" referred to in 24:2 was his clearing the country of banditti and impostors. At the end of a two years' term, Porcius Festus was appointed in the room of Felix (A.D. 60), who proceeded to Rome, and was there accused of cruelty and malversation of office by the Jews of Caesarea. The accusation was rendered nugatory by the influence of his brother Pallas with Nero. (See Jos”
Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 25 (introduction): Some think that Felix was turned out, and Festus succeeded him, quickly after Paul's imprisonment, and that the two years mentioned in the close of the foregoing chapter are to be reckoned from the beginning of Nero's reign; but it seems more natural to compute them from Paul's being delivered into the hands of Felix. However, we have here much the same management of Paul's case as we had in the foregoing chapter; cognizance is here taken of it, I. By Festus the governor; it is brought before him by the Jews (Act 25:1-3). The hearing of it is appointed ”
Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 26 (introduction): Then Agrippa said unto Paul,.... After Festus had made the above speech to him, and to all present, and had introduced the affair of Paul, who now stood before them: thou art permitted to speak for thyself; which a prisoner might not do, until he had leave; and this leave was granted by Festus the Roman governor, who was properly the judge, and not Agrippa, though the permission might be by both; and so the Arabic and Ethiopic versions read, "we have ordered", or "permitted thee", &c. Then Paul stretched forth the hand; as orators used to do, when they ”
Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 25 (introduction): Porcius Festus being appointed governor of Judea, instead of Felix, the Jews beseech him to have Paul brought up to Jerusalem, that he might be tried there; they lying in wait to kill him on the way, Act 25:1-3. Festus refuses, and desires those who could prove any thing against him, to go with him to Caesarea, Act 25:4, Act 25:5. Festus, having tarried at Jerusalem about ten days, returns to Caesarea, and the next day Paul is brought to his trial, and the Jews of Jerusalem bring many groundless charges against him, against which he defends himself, Act 2”
Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 26 (introduction): PAUL'S DEFENSE OF HIMSELF BEFORE KING AGRIPPA, WHO PRONOUNCES HIM INNOCENT, BUT CONCLUDES THAT THE APPEAL TO CÃ†SAR MUST BE CARRIED OUT. (Acts 26:1-32) Agrippa said--Being a king he appears to have presided. Paul stretched forth the hand--chained to a soldier (Act 26:29, and see on Act 12:6).”
Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 25:13: 25:13-22 Festus discussed Paul’s case with Herod Agrippa II (ruled AD 50–100), who had come to Caesarea to make a courtesy call on the new governor.”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: 308 Homily LII. Acts XXV. 23 "And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.” See what an audience is gathered together for Paul. Having collected all his guards, the governor is come, and the king, and the tribunes, “with the principal men,” it says, “of the city.” Then Paul being brought forth, see how he is proclaimed as conqueror. Festus himself acquits him from the charges, for ”
Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 26:1: Agrippa was the most honourable person in the assembly, having the title of king bestowed upon him, though otherwise having only the power of other governors under the emperor, and, though not here superior, yet senior, to Festus; and therefore, Festus having opened the cause, Agrippa, as the mouth of the court, intimates to Paul a licence given him to speak for himself, Act 26:1. Paul was silent till he had this liberty allowed him; for those are not the most forward to speak that are best prepared to speak and speak best. This was a favour which the Jews would not”
Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 26 (introduction): We left Paul at the bar, and Festus, and Agrippa, and Bernice, and all the great men of the city of Caesarea, upon the bench, or about it, waiting to hear what he had to say for himself. Now in this chapter we have, I. The account he gives of himself, in answer to the calumnies of the Jews. And in this, 1. His humble address to king Agrippa, and the compliment he passed upon him (Act 26:1-3). 2. His account of his origin, and education, his profession as a Pharisee, and his adherence still to that which was then the main article of his creed, in distinc”

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