king agrippa acts 25

(Acts 25:11) - he had held, not unlike "Google" is used interchangeably today with the expression "to The research was done in the mid 1990s, but all articles were edited in 2012 by Michael Morrison, PhD, professor of Biblical Studies at Grace Communion Seminary. He conferred with his council about the matter, and then told Paul: “You have appealed to Caesar. This is a lengthy section of Scripture that we have to read. But before this, he described a private conversation between the two men, in which Festus admitted his consternation (25:14-21). They were preparing to ambush Paul on the way and kill him. There was no criminal act for which Paul could be prosecuted. 1.) Luke summarized Paul’s defense in a sentence. The stage was set for Paul to witness to a both a governor and king at once, as Jesus said his disciples would (Matthew 10:18; Luke 21:12). Agrippa and Bernice were committing incest with each other; Agrippa never married. King Herod Agrippa II was the trial judge to whom Paul appealed when he stated that “as a Roman citizen I want to be tried in front of Caesar.” King Agrippa II was the son of Herod Agrippa I who was the son of Aristobulus, the son of Herod the Great. The case intrigued Agrippa, and he said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself” (25:22). (Acts 25:19). The truth of the matter is that he was a prisoner only because the Jews were able to intimidate the political authority who did not have the courage to free Paul. To Caesar you will go!” (25:12). A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. Did Luke record every word spoken at Paul's trial before A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. We are reminded of the 40 men who had sworn to kill Paul two years earlier (23:14-15). We are to understand in his deference and referral to Agrippa a very clever political maneuver. committing incest are treated as royalty. Festus, knowing that Agrippa understood Judaism’s faith and practice, was eager to get his views on Paul’s case. All of the next chapter is taken up with Paul's address in the presence of royalty. Paul was already in Caesarea, and Festus was returning there (25:4-5). Didn't "Augustus" (Acts 25:25) already die in 14 Who is "King Agrippa" (Acts 25:13)? He said: “I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty [that is, the Emperor] about him [Paul]. 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. The lesser dignitaries had marched in behind them. On the death of king Herod of Chalcis in 48, his small Syrian kingdom of Chalcis was given to Agrippa, with the right of superintending the Temple in Jerusalem and appointing its high priest, but only as a tetrarchy. It began with a hearsay-caused tumult in the temple. It was Paul’s crowning witness before the Jewish authorities and important Gentile dignitaries of the land. Who is "Bernice" (Acts 25:13)? It's not strictly a trial, but it is a defense. They just didn’t have the proof to get him convicted of a state crime. A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. “King Agrippa,” historically identified as Agrippa II, was the son of the Herod of chapter 12, Herod Agrippa I. Marcus Julius Agrippa II (A.D. 27-100) was the son of Agrippa I (12:23), and the great-grandson of Herod the Great. "With great pomp" (Acts 25:23). Politically, this moderated the power struggle between the Jewish leaders and the Roman political rulers in Judea. Since Agrippa was viewed by Rome as an authority on Jewish religious questions, it’s not surprising that Festus discussed Paul’s case with him. He was an outsider who understood nothing about the gospel—nor of the Jewish accusations. It’s difficult to know what Agrippa could add to what Festus already knew. 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. How did Agrippa and Bernice enter the auditorium? This may explain why Paul appealed to Caesar in Rome (25:10). Luke narrated Paul’s defense before Festus briefly, omitting most of the details of the Jews’ charges and Paul’s defense. The matter simply wouldn’t come up. 13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Acts 25: 13 – 22 Festus consults King Agrippa – Part 1. Burrus was dead. [No] How did King Agrippa respond to Festus? Agrippa II was a petty ruler over small areas in northern Palestine and some villages in Perea. It's all one narrative. As Festus spent time with Agrippa during his visit he talked with him about his situation with Paul. But none of this could have been foreseen around the time Paul appealed and went to Rome. However, it’s not clear that Festus would have acted as judge. And after certain days, &c. — We have here the preparation that was made for another hearing of Paul before King Agrippa, not in order to his giving judgment upon him, but in order to his giving advice concerning him, or rather, only to gratify his curiosity. There was a faith issue involved also. King Agrippa II about to try Paul. Paul was brought in and the Jewish leaders “stood around him. He was a great-grandson of Herod the Great. While they were there, Festus consulted with King Agrippa II as to what he should write on the charge sheet to be sent to Rome with Paul. At Festus’ meeting with the Jewish leaders, they “requested” that he transfer Paul to Jerusalem so that he could be put on trial (25:3). The Sanhedrin also had attempted to try Paul. Festus? Festus was dealing with what seemed to be a mish-mash of religious and political offenses. It was only later, about A.D. 62, that imperial policy toward the Christians became malicious. Acts 25:13 "And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus." At his death she came to live with her brother Agrippa, which caused rumors that they were having an incestuous relationship. 26. 12 Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.” 13 Now when several days had elapsed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus. In the next chapter, Luke will narrate Paul’s speech before King Agrippa and governor Festus. Had Paul presented the Gospel during his trial before Festus? If there was no charge to send to Rome, then why send the man? On the other side, they were ardent clients of the Roman state, and familiar with Caesar’s family…. Also, Nero had not yet become the sinister ruler of his later years. "While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor … The emperor at the time Paul made his appeal was the infamous Nero (A.D. 54-68). This meeting with Herod Agrippa II has its parallel in Jesus’ inquest before Herod Antipas (Luke 23:6-12). Copyright Grace Communion International. There was no charge against Paul of a civil nature. They may have reminded the new governor that charges against Felix were being prepared (or had already been given) by them in Rome. The one was an expert on Judaism and the other on Roman culture. How did Agrippa and Bernice enter the auditorium? How Luke knew what they discussed is not known. King Agrippa (Acts 25:13) However, the charade was not yet over for Paul. Because of King Agrippa’s role in Judaism, he has been described as “the secular head of the Jewish faith” (I. Howard Marshall, Acts, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 388). ¶“ 13 Several days later, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea and paid Festus an official visit. Both Jesus and Paul were tried before a Roman governor, and each witnessed to a Jewish king who was anxious to meet him.) For Paul’s protection, the centurion in charge had sent him under heavy guard to the Roman governor Felix in Caesarea (Acts 23). 1. Paul had to be allowed to appeal to Caesar if he so requested. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. It is unlikely that a formal session of the Sanhedrin could have been held with Festus as president. Thomas. It is more like entertainment planned for Agrippa and Bernice. Festus told Agrippa about his Paul problem. immediately preceding Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. The great fire of Rome, something for which Nero apparently blamed the Christians of Rome, did not occur until A.D. 64. When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, a. [He wanted to hear from Paul] King Agrippa and his sister Bernice had come to visit. King Agrippa II was the great-grandson of Herod the Great, who had attempted to kill infant Jesus and who did kill many baby boys in Judea. (Johnson, 428). In his mind, he could give the prisoner his due and still do the Jews a favor. However, the charade was not yet over for Paul. Gospel of John is devoted to the 24 hours (Acts 25:19-22 RSV) Thus the foundation is laid for the appearance of Paul before King Agrippa. The religious leaders would see the change in procurators as an opportunity to take advantage of a new and inexperienced governor. The same ground had already been gone over twice, once before Felix and now before Festus. Lysias had already stated that Paul was innocent (23:29). Berenice was a member of the Herodian Dynasty that ruled the Roman province of Judaea between 39 BCE and 92 CE. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king Acts 25), and he wasn't required to. Acts 25:24 “And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.” King James Version (KJV) So Festus turned to Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” (25:9). (Neil, 545), So Paul told Festus: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. Why he did this isn’t clear. Now, in Acts 25, we find that the leaders are initiating the very thing they were only tangentially involved in earlier.” (Boice) 2. Although Agrippa is well-known for his role in the Jewish War, there is little known about the details of his reign. She had been married to her uncle, Herod king of Chalcis. The new governor isn’t as knowledgeable about the Jewish … After all, he was still allowing the Jews to try Paul on the religious charges. This was a tremendous opportunity, and Paul was certainly happy for that opportunity. It may have been that Festus was hoping that Agrippa—with his expert knowledge of Jewish matters—would be able to find something with which Paul could be charged. Nonetheless, Festus wanted Paul to defend himself again in a court session in Jerusalem because he was worried the Jews might riot over Paul. When Paul appealed to Rome, Festus saw that his problem was solved. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. * King Agrippa and Bernice: brother and sister, children of Herod Agrippa I whose activities against the Jerusalem community are mentioned in Acts 12:1–19. He admitted to Agrippa: “I was at a loss how to investigate such matters” (25:20). A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Luke considered the speech as being very important to his message. Indeed, one-third of the We already know the case well, from what Luke has previously narrated. This is Paul's apology; this is Paul preaching the gospel, and preaching the gospel before one of the most powerful (next to the emperor) in Rome, one … This is a summary of the Jews’ three-fold accusation, and Paul has already successfully defended himself against the charges. Agrippa II and his sister Bernice were, after all, the perfect powers to consult and coopt. search online.". Acts 25:22 Context. As Luke Timothy Johnson wrote, “One can hardly avoid the impression that Paul is intended to supply the entertainment for this splendid assemblage, as they enter the ‘audience hall’” (page 426). It's all one narrative. Of all of Paul’s defense speeches, Luke gave the most space to his defense before King Agrippa. He would have been tacitly agreeing that there was, after all, a case to be decided. He said, ‘There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. King Agrippa — Almost Persuaded Acts 25:13—26:32 By Dr. Derek W.H. It was called the provocatio ad Caesarem or “appeal to the emperor” for trial. Acts 25:15 "About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed … But there should have been no need for any trial since Paul had been found innocent—again. It was the law. In one place he was ambiguous on the matter, saying only that he wanted Paul to “go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges” (25:20). Luke began to narrate what would be Paul’s longest and final major speech. Festus Asks King Agrippa For Advice. For their part, the Jewish leaders had nearly abandoned their attempt to get at Paul through the Roman legal process. He had Paul say to Festus: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar” (25:8). Bernice was the sister of Agrippa II, and the sister of Drusilla. Agrippa. 24:27. b. The emperors Claudius and Nero had appointed Agrippa ruler of a number of kingdoms, lands and cities in the Holy Land. Now, they would once again hear Paul’s line of defense. Festus was in a tricky position regarding Paul. Had Paul presented the Gospel during his trial before Festus? Festus brought Paul in and explained to King Agrippa once again that he could not find any crime that Paul had committed. The Bible isn't a verbatim For a Roman governor to admit there was no definite charge to write Rome about, was an admission that Paul ought to have been freed in Caesarea. But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be held until I could send him to Caesar." As a new governor, Festus needed to become familiar with the local authorities. Like the Athenians, everyone seemed curious about the new ideas he was expounding. This is Paul's defense. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him… Acts 26:1,27,28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Festus? On one side they represented the Jews. Acts 25:23 “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.” King James Version (KJV) Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. Bernice was once described as “a Jewish Cleopatra on a small scale.”, Both Agrippa II and Bernice tried to prevent the Jewish-Roman war, finally opting to take the part of Rome in the struggle. I appeal to Caesar!” (25:10-11). Almost certainly, the Jews were unhappy about this turn of events. In "chains" (Acts 26:29, see AD. He had to get Paul’s agreement for a change in venue. 13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. Festus). (13-14a) Herod Agrippa and Bernice visit Caesarea. It's not strictly a trial, but it is a defense. Perhaps all they could hope for, if the plot failed, was to have Festus give them the opportunity of trying Paul for profaning the temple. She was a friend of the Jews, and might have been capable of influencing Nero to be disaffected toward a major Christian leader like Paul. Instead they had some fine points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive” (25:18-19). 1. fol. This was because Agrippa was from an Idumean-Jewish family and was knowledgeable of Jewish affairs. Thomas. (4-6a) Festus refuses to put Paul on trial again in Jerusalem. To agree to a Jerusalem trial was to play into the hands of his accusers. He is still explaining the problem to Agrippa, as we pick up the lesson here (in Acts 25:15). 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