Two more years and another administration – Porcius Festus

Politics of Leadership (Don’t cha luv it?)

Administration of a land conquered by the Caesars to whom you have sworn allegiance is not such an easy job (although it pays well).

Governor Antonius Felix, Roman procurator of Judaea, Samaria, Galilee, and Perea had essentially dodged a political bullet when he left Paul in prison for two years.

Luke tells us the Felix had been hoping for a bribe.

But when two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Acts of the Apostles 24:27 RSV

Did the Jewish leaders perhaps bribe their Roman procurator to keep Paul in prison?

Hard to tell, but we do know that after two years a change in administration brings a new Roman governor to act as judge in Paul’s long-continued case.

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~A.D. 60 – Quick Justice at last

Let's clear the old administrative docket.

Acts 25:

Jerusalem, first stop in administration of Judea.

Now when Festus had come into his province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they urged him, asking as a favor to have the man sent to Jerusalem…

Sound familiar from their previous deceitful acts before Felix tried to sort it all out? 

Luke continues his narrative:

… planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

Giving a strong administrative response showing the Jews that he, the Roman governor is in charge:

Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly.

Acts 25:4 RSV

Now the Roman administrator of Judea asserts his office as judge of all cases before the same corrupt officials of the Sanhedrin secretly seeking to assassinate Paul (the Roman citizen, by the way).

“So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them accuse him.”

Acts 25:5 RSV – orders of the Roman Proconsul Festus to the Jews

When he had stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.

Now obviously after just a week in Jerusalem; like Felix, Festus has learned the ropes of governing the Jews. 

Festus offers a political compromise:

“Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem, and there be tried on these charges before me?”

Paul’s political savvy:

“I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried;

The Apostle has already pled his innocence in his opening statement. 

.. to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you know very well.

Acts 25:10 – response of Paul the Roman citizen to Festus the Roman Governor

The Apostle continues his brief defense in this administrative arraignment hearing before Festus: 

If then I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death;

but if there is nothing in their charges against me, no one can give me up to them.

I appeal to Caesar.”

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Does Paul trust local Roman administrators such as Felix and Festus anymore than he trusts the leaders of the Jews who have been trying to assinate the Apostle out of the sight of Jerusalem’s Temple?

Besides, the Lord has revealed to Paul that He will send him to Rome!

The following night the Lord stood by him and said,

“Take courage, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also at Rome.”

Acts of the Apostles 23:11 RSV

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Ex proprio motu

Commonly spoken as “by one’s own accord.”

Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered,

“You have appealed to Caesar;

to Caesar you shall go.”

Acts 25:12 RSV

So be it.

As far as Roman justice is concerned (here in Judea under the administration of Portus Festus) that’s it. The Governor must send Paul’s case to Caesar.

NEXT – Paul encounters the politics of King Agrippa and Festus