Acts 25:13-27
Dear RTB’ers,
Paul before Festus in Caesarea. Festus and Felix… Dramatic differences in these two leaders. In more than two years Felix did nothing with Paul, his prisoner, except to please the Jewish people by keeping him confined, all the while hoping for a bribe from him. Felix is called back to Rome and Festus comes to Caesarea. Three days after his arrival he goes to Jerusalem, the leading city in his region and meets with the religious authorities there. He accommodates their wishes by ordering a hearing in Caesarea, whereupon Paul appeals to Rome rather than allow himself to be examined by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. All this has happened with Festus in about two weeks! Now while Festus has Paul “on hold”, waiting to send him on to Rome, an opportunity presents itself when King Agrippa pays him a visit. Festus can now examine Paul in a civil setting (non-judicial) so he can better understand why he has this prisoner in his custody – and what to write to the Roman authorities when he sends Paul off to Rome. Festus is doing his job well!!
Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. (v. 13) Just reading through the text in the past, I had assumed that Agrippa and Bernice were husband and wife, king and queen. However, it turns out that they were brother and sister – with some rumors of an incestual relationship between them. As for how Agrippa fits into this picture with Festus, it’s much the same relationship as some years prior with King Herod and Pontius Pilate. When Jesus was tried, Pilate was a governor serving under King Herod. Now with Paul, Festus is a governor serving under King Agrippa.
Festus is the new kid in town. He acknowledges his shortcomings in today’s last two verses: But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him. (vv. 26-27) So Festus is quite the opportunist – saving face and trying to look competent!! But maybe that’s not so bad. He’s new to the area, unfamiliar with the people and their customs. He is making use of an authority figure so that he can better understand a complicated situation. Festus may be something of an opportunist here, but I think he is also making the best use of the resources at his disposal. Not a bad model to follow…
Blessings!