Acts 25:13-22 Meaning: God Orchestrates Paul's Witness to Agrippa
13Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.
14As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
15about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.
16I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction before the accused has met the accusers face to face and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
17When therefore they had come together here, I didn’t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought.
18When the accusers stood up, they brought no charges against him of such things as I supposed;
19but had certain questions against him about their own religion and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.
21But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar.”
22Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
13And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea to salute Festus.
14And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
17Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cesar.
22Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
13Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Cæsarea, and saluted Festus.
14And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
15about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him.
16To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defence concerning the matter laid against him.
17When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought.
18Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;
19but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters.
21But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Cæsar.
22And Agrippa said unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him.
13And certain days having passed, Agrippa the king, and Bernice, came down to Caesarea saluting Festus,
14and as they were continuing there more days, Festus submitted to the king the things concerning Paul, saying, `There is a certain man, left by Felix, a prisoner,
15about whom, in my being at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid information, asking a decision against him,
16unto whom I answered, that it is not a custom of Romans to make a favour of any man to die, before that he who is accused may have the accusers face to face, and may receive place of defence in regard to the charge laid against him .
17`They, therefore, having come together--I, making no delay, on the succeeding day having sat upon the tribunal, did command the man to be brought,
18concerning whom the accusers, having stood up, were bringing against him no accusation of the things I was thinking of,
19but certain questions concerning their own religion they had against him, and concerning a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive;
20and I, doubting in regard to the question concerning this, said, If he would wish to go on to Jerusalem, and there to be judged concerning these things--
21but Paul having appealed to be kept to the hearing of Sebastus, I did command him to be kept till I might send him unto Caesar.'
22And Agrippa said unto Festus, `I was wishing also myself to hear the man;' and he said, `To-morrow thou shalt hear him;'
13And when certain days had elapsed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to salute Festus.
14And when they had spent many days there, Festus laid before the king the matters relating to Paul, saying, There is a certain man left prisoner by Felix,
15concerning whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid informations, requiring judgment against him:
16to whom I answered, It is not [the] custom of the Romans to give up any man before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and he have got opportunity of defence touching the charge.
17When therefore they had come together here, without putting it off, I sat the next day on the judgment-seat and commanded the man to be brought:
18concerning whom the accusers, standing up, brought no such accusation of guilt as I supposed;
19but had against him certain questions of their own system of worship, and concerning a certain Jesus who is dead, whom Paul affirmed to be living.
20And as I myself was at a loss as to an inquiry into these things, I said, Was he willing to go to Jerusalem and there to be judged concerning these things?
21But Paul having appealed to be kept for the cognisance of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I shall send him to Caesar.
22And Agrippa [said] to Festus, I myself also would desire to hear the man. To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
Meaning in one sentence
King Agrippa II and Bernice visit Festus, leading to Paul's opportunity to testify about Jesus' resurrection before a king.
Context
Paul has been in Caesarea for two years, held in custody by Felix. The new governor Festus faces pressure from Jewish leaders demanding Paul's death, but Paul appeals to Caesar, a legal move that sends his case to the emperor. Between the appeal and the journey to Rome, King Agrippa II arrives with his sister Bernice to pay respects to Festus. Agrippa is a Herod, a Jewish king familiar with the religious disputes of his people. Festus, still puzzled by Paul's case, tells Agrippa the story: the charges are not crimes but questions about Jewish religion and a dead man named Jesus, whom Paul insists is alive. Agrippa is intrigued and asks to hear Paul himself. Luke records these details because they set the stage for Paul's formal defense before a king, a fulfillment of Jesus' promise that his followers would bear witness before rulers.
Key Words
Three Greek words carry weight here. First, ἐβουλόμην (eboulomēn, “I was wanting”) is the word Agrippa uses when he says he would like to hear Paul. It suggests more than idle curiosity. The tense shows a settled wish that had been there for some time. Agrippa may have known about Jesus and the Christian movement for years. Second, ἀπολογία (apologia, “defense”) is the legal term for a reasoned reply. Festus uses it in verse 16, but it echoes through the whole scene. Paul is not just telling a story; he is making a case that can stand before judges and kings. Third, χαρίζεσθαι (charizesthai) is the verb Festus uses for “to give up” a man to punishment. It literally means to show favor or grant a gift. Festus says Romans do not casually hand someone over as a favor to accusers. That moral standard becomes the frame for Paul’s fair hearing, and for the careful, deliberate way God lets the gospel be spoken.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen God’s providence in this visit. Calvin notes that Luke traces how Paul was brought out of prison to make “profession of his faith” before a notable audience, not by accident but by divine arrangement. Matthew Henry points out that Festus expected criminal charges, but found only religious disputes, which shows how Paul’s innocence opened doors for witness. Many commentators read Agrippa’s interest as a mix of curiosity and genuine desire to learn, though some (like Clarke) compare him to Herod who wanted to see Jesus for spectacle. Across these views, believers agree that God used a routine diplomatic visit to bring the risen Christ before a king.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume Festus is being dismissive when he calls the Jewish beliefs “superstition” (verse 19). In fact, the Greek word deisidaimonia can mean religion in a neutral or even respectful sense, Paul uses it positively in Acts 17:22. Festus is not mocking; he is simply describing what he does not understand. This is an honest governor trying to make sense of a prisoner whose accusers brought no real crime.
Living This Out
You may think the people you meet this week are just passing through your life. A colleague stops by your desk. A neighbor waves from the driveway. A family member visits unexpectedly. But nothing is random. God can use these ordinary crossings to bring the news about Jesus to someone who needs to hear it, even someone in a position of influence. Paul did not plan for Agrippa to walk into the courtroom. But when the door opened, he was ready. Ask God to give you that same readiness: a quiet confidence that the risen Christ is alive and worth speaking about. And if the opportunity feels awkward or the listener seems skeptical, remember that Festus did not fully understand either. Speak plainly. Trust the Spirit with the outcome.
Main takeaway: God arranges for the good news about Jesus to reach people in power, even through confusing and unplanned circumstances.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God brought a king named Agrippa to hear Paul. Paul told him about Jesus, who died and is alive again. God can use anyone to hear about Jesus, even a king!
For ages 9, 12
Paul was a prisoner, but even kings and governors wanted to hear his story. Agrippa came to visit the governor, and when he heard about Paul, he asked to meet him. God used that visit to let Paul share the good news that Jesus rose from the dead. You never know who God might bring across your path to hear about Jesus.
Questions People Ask
Who was King Agrippa II?
Agrippa II was the great-grandson of Herod the Great and the son of Herod Agrippa I (who died in Acts 12). He was the last of the Herodian rulers and an expert in Jewish customs and law. Festus asked his advice about Paul's case because Agrippa understood the religious issues better than a Roman governor.
Why did Agrippa want to hear Paul?
Agrippa had heard about Jesus and the Christian movement. Some of the commentators suggest he was motivated by curiosity, similar to Herod Antipas wanting to see Jesus (Luke 23:8). But his interest may also have been genuine. Either way, God used that desire to give Paul an audience with a king.
What did Festus mean by 'their own religion' (or 'superstition' in older translations)?
The Greek word deisidaimonia can be translated as 'religion' in a neutral way. Paul himself used a related word positively in Acts 17:22. Festus was not insulting the Jewish faith, he was simply stating that the charges against Paul were about Jewish religious disputes, not Roman crimes.
Why did Paul have to go to Caesar if Festus thought he was innocent?
Paul had already appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11) before this conversation. Once a Roman citizen appealed to the emperor, the case had to be sent to Rome. Festus could not simply release him. But Festus needed to write a report explaining the charges, so he welcomed Agrippa’s help to understand what had happened.
For pastors & researchers
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