Who Was Festus in the Bible — In Biblical Context

The Biblical Context

Porcius Festus appears briefly in Acts but plays a crucial role in Paul's missionary career. He succeeded Felix as procurator of Judea around AD 59 and immediately inherited the problem of Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea. Festus was a more competent administrator than Felix and had come to stabilize the province after years of corruption and unrest. Three days after arriving in his province, Festus went up to Jerusalem, where the Jewish leaders renewed their charges against Paul and asked that he be transferred to Jerusalem for trial — their real intent being to ambush and kill him on the way. Festus refused, saying that Paul was at Caesarea and that they should present their case there. When Festus convened the tribunal, the Jewish leaders brought 'many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.' Paul defended himself, denying any crime against the Jewish law, the temple, or Caesar. Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul if he was willing to go to Jerusalem for trial. Paul, knowing that a transfer meant certain death, made his famous appeal to Caesar: 'I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged... I appeal unto Caesar.' Festus was surprised but bound by Roman law to honor the appeal. He conferred with his council and declared, 'Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.' Shortly afterward, King Agrippa and Bernice visited Festus, and Festus presented Paul's case to them. He admitted his perplexity: 'When the man was brought forth, the Jews which came from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove... I found he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.' Festus arranged the hearing before Agrippa so that he might have something to write to Caesar about this unusual prisoner. Festus's story illustrates the irony of providence. A Roman governor trying to manage a political problem becomes the instrument that fulfills God's promise to Paul that he would witness in Rome. Paul's appeal to Caesar, while a legal maneuver, was also the means by which the gospel would reach the capital of the empire. Festus did what he thought was politically necessary, but God used it to advance His purposes across the Mediterranean.

Where It Sits in Scripture

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