13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and
Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there
many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man
left prisoner by Felix, 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. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of
the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face
and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
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. 18 When the accusers
stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19
Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and
about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20
Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted
to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had
appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him
to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus,
“I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear
him.” (Acts 25:13-22 (ESV)
“When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his
case of such evils as I supposed.” It’s interesting to read this line and
determination of Festus. Rome would change its mind within a generation. Indeed
the same emperor that Paul goes to see here will acquit him. And then a few
years later will order Paul’s execution.
These words of Festus will forever accuse the Roman government for their
persecution of Christianity.
No comments:
Post a Comment