Paul’s Trial Before King Agrippa - Acts 25:13-26:1-32

When Paul stood before the new governor Festus, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around Paul and leveled many charges against him, charges that they were unable to prove.  Paul answered those charges by claiming his innocence, saying neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar had he offended in anything at all. Festus, wanting to appease the Jews, proposed to Paul whether he was willing to take the trial to Jerusalem. Paul knew that he wouldn’t get a fair trial, and that there was a possibility that he wouldn’t arrive there alive because of the previous attempt on his life by the Jews, exercised his right as a Roman citizen, and made an appeal that his case be brought to Caesar. The title Caesar was given to Rome’s emperors, and Rome’s current Caesar was Emperor Nero.  Festus, after hearing Paul’s appeal to Caesar, conferred with his council and granted Paul’s appeal to Caesar.

King Agrippa arrives to meet Festus

Acts 25:13 “And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.” 

King Agrippa and Bernice arrive at Caesarea to meet the newly appointed governor Festus. King Agrippa’s full name was Herod Agrippa II. He was the son of Herod Agrippa I, who had James killed and arrested Peter, and would have most likely have killed him as well, if it weren’t for an angel who came and released him from jail. Afterward, Herod Agrippa I was eaten by worms for failing to give God glory before the people who were praising him (Acts 12:1-23). King Agrippa’s great-uncle was Herod Antipas, who ordered John the Baptist’s head to be cut off. Later, he questioned and mocked Jesus by putting a robe on him before sending him back to Pilate, which ultimately led to Jesus being crucified by Pilate. His great-grandfather was the notorious Herod the Great, who was responsible for killing countless newborn male children 2 years old and under in an effort to kill Jesus, whom he was told was the newborn king in Bethlehem. King Agrippa’s sister, Bernice, was a scandalous woman. She married her uncle, Herod Chalcis. When he died, she married her brother, King Agrippa. Later, she became the mistress of Titus, the Roman general who was responsible for burning Jerusalem just before he became emperor of Rome. 

Acts 25:14 “When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king.

As the new governor, Festus inherited the former governor Felix's prisoner, Paul. Festus had limited knowledge about Jewish religious matters. King Agrippa, being half Jewish, was well-versed in Jewish religious matters, and he needed Agrippa’s help with Paul’s case so that he could write up his report and present it to Caesar.

Festus details the case

Acts 25:14–22 Festus tells Agrippa that “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.””

Festus gives a detailed report to Agrippa. And we learned that Festus realized that after hearing that the religious leaders wanted him to make a judgment to have Paul put to death without a proper trial was not something he was willing to do. He recognized that the case against Paul wasn’t a civil criminal matter worthy of death, but that this was a religious disagreement about a certain Jesus, who died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Not knowing the nuances of the Jewish religion, Festus thought it best that Paul go to Jerusalem and be judged there by the Sanhedrin. Upon which, Paul, being a Roman citizen, appealed to have his case brought before Augustus, also called Caesar, both of which were titles given to Emperor Nero. Augustus is a title given to emperors and it means “worthy to be reverenced.” It implied respect and veneration that was usually given to their gods and to sacred things. But the title soon came to be used to encourage the worship of the emperor.

Acts 25:22–27 “Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.” Once Agrippa heard Festus’s report, Agrippa said that he would like to hear Paul himself. God has opened the door for Paul to share the gospel with King Agrippa about the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. Agrippa’s desire was more so out of curiosity than anything. And what he will hear from Paul will the truth of the gospel.

(v.23) So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in. Agrippa came in making a grand entrance of pomp/ pageantry before the prominent people of the city. What Agrippa didn’t know was that God set up this meeting with Paul so that he and all the people would hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. This would fulfill God’s divine appointment for Paul to reach the gospel before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel (Acts 9:15). God will always provide opportunities for you to share Jesus Christ. You just need to be ready to do so.

(v.24) And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer. Festus has revealed the degree of anger the Jews had against Paul, they felt that Paul didn’t deserve to live any longer. What caused the Jews anger against Paul? He called them to repent of their sins, to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, and to believe that Jesus died and had risen from the dead. The gospel of Christ has always made people angry!

(v.25) But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him.

Festus knows that Paul is innocent of the charges brought against him by the Jews and that, legally, he doesn’t deserve death. Then why doesn’t Festus release Paul? The reason Paul remains a prisoner is that he appealed to have his case tried before Augustus. Once Paul made his appeal, there could be no reversal. Paul wouldn’t want to backtrack, even if he could. His heart was set on going to Rome with the Gospel.

(v.26) I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.””

Since Paul appealed to have his case presented before Caesar, Festus was on the hook. He needed to write up the case and give it to Caesar. The problem was that he knew the evidence against Paul was about a religious disagreement between the Jews and Paul regarding the resurrection of Jesus, something he or the Romans didn’t believe in or care about. He knew that Paul was innocent and hadn’t committed any crimes against Roman law. Festus, the newly appointed governor, knew that Emperor Nero was a cruel man, and if he went there with a sketchy report, he could be removed from office. Therefore, he needed to bring this case before King Agrippa to allow him to examine the details of the case and assist him in preparing something to write to Caesar, because it wouldn’t make sense to send Paul before Caesar without an appropriate legal report against him.

Paul’s Defense Before King Agrippa

Acts 26:1–3 “Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.”

Once Paul was given permission to speak, even though Paul had gone through several trials, he didn’t show outrage, but respect, and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to speak to King Agrippa as a legal authority. Paul once wrote a letter to the church at Rome that said in Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Paul knew he was an innocent man, but he also knew that King Agrippa held an office that he needed to respect because government authorities, whether good or bad, were established by God.

Acts 26:4–8 ““My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?”

Paul was open about his manner of life from his childhood, saying he was a zealous Jewish religious man who lived as a strict Pharisee. His accusers were well aware of this and couldn’t deny what he had said. He explained that the reason he was on trial was because of something promised to the Jewish people in the Old Testament of the Scriptures: the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers, to whom the 12 tribes of Israel, who earnestly worship God night and day, share in the same hope of the resurrection as he did. It was for the hope of the resurrection that he told Agrippa he was being accused by the Jews. Why on earth should it be incredible for you to believe that God can raise the dead?

Paul’s confession

Acts 26:9–11 ““Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.”

Paul confesses that he was once a persecutor of Christians. In his ignorance, he went around locking up believers in Jesus and even put them to death. Why does Paul confess this to Agrippa? He wants him to know that the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ can change the life of one of the most diabolical men who opposed Christianity. Paul hopes to sway Agrippa and all those listening to the idea that Jesus Christ can change lives. Don’t be ashamed of your past. Tell others how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed your life, and it can change theirs as well.

Paul retells his conversion

Acts 26:12–18 ““While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’”

Paul tells Agrippa of his encounter with the resurrected Jesus Christ and explains that he was actually persecuting Jesus when he went about persecuting the Christians. Paul lets Agrippa know that, despite his evil intent against Christians, Jesus appeared to him to make him a minister and a witness of what he had seen and what He would reveal to him. By the Lord Jesus’ power, he would deliver him from the Jewish people, as well as the Gentiles, to whom he would be sent to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they, like himself, would receive the forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified, set apart, by Jesus Christ. Paul has just laid down the gospel of Jesus Christ, detailing the darkness of sin, the light of the gospel of Christ, deliverance from the power of Satan to God, and forgiveness of sins and an eternal inheritance for anyone who has been sanctified, set apart to be holy, by faith in Christ alone. Only Christ can clean up what sin has dirtied!

Paul’s obedience to Jesus’ call

Acts 26:19–23 ““Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.””

Because of the mercy and grace of God, Paul knew he was obligated to be obedient to Jesus. He went to Damascus, the very place he had gone to lock up and put to death Christians. Now he went to bring the life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ to the unsaved, in Jerusalem in every synagogue, throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles. Paul was on a mission. The fruit of his salvation was evident. Because of the mercy and grace that God has given to you, you are obligated to tell others about the gospel of Jesus Christ; doing so shows that the fruit of your salvation is evident. Failing to do so raises questions about your salvation. For Christians share their faith. Jesus said that his followers would be his witnesses. Paul went everywhere telling Gentiles to repent and turn to God, and to do the works befitting repentance. And it was for this very reason that the Jews seized him in the temple and tried to kill him. The Jews didn’t want him preaching that salvation had come to the Gentiles. They hated the Gentiles and didn’t want them saved, so they needed to kill him. Paul was being obedient to what the Old Testament prophets and Moses said would take place, that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.

Paul’s defense of the Gospel is rejected

Acts 26:24–25 “Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.”

Festus was outraged after hearing the Paul’s defense of the Gospel. He thought that Paul was crazy, that his learning had driven him to become a mad man for believing that Jesus had risen from the dead.

The Gospel of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ has presented itself as foolish to Festus. 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

No, Paul wasn’t crazy, for believing the gospel of Christ, he would be crazy not to believe it, he is speaking truth. The only person who has lost their mind is Festus, but even worse he will lose any hope of salvation and will perish on Judgment Day.

Acts 26:26–29 “For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.””

Paul turns his attention to King Agrippa because he knows that nothing escapes Agrippa’s notice, that he is keenly aware of what Paul has said, and that those things weren’t done in secret. Paul asks King Agrippa whether he believes in the prophets. He tells him he knows he does, since Agrippa, being half-Jewish, was familiar with the writings of the prophets. If he acknowledged them before all those Roman dignitaries in the courtroom, it would be an admission of belief in the coming Messiah, and he didn’t want to be looked at as foolish before them, nor did he want to say he didn’t believe the prophets, which would put him against the Jewish religious leaders. So King Agrippa takes the easy way out and doesn’t answer Paul’s question, but knowing what Paul is attempting to do, he says to him, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” In other words, in a mocking way, do you think you can make me become a Christian so quickly? This reminds me of the passage in 2 Corinthians 4:3–4, “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

Acts 26:29–32 Paul has a heart for the unsaved, as we all should have when we talk with them. Paul doesn’t let Agrippa’s mockery stop him from pleading with him to accept the gospel message, he says “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” We should hope to God that those who we know who are without Jesus Christ would come to faith just like we have

(v.31-32) When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.””

What Agrippa, Bernice, Festus, and all who sat with them realized was that Paul hadn’t done anything deserving of death or chains. But what they didn’t realize was that Paul was freer than they were and had turned their trial against them. They were the ones on trial and had been found guilty for rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ. By doing so, their sins cannot be forgiven, and they were the ones deserving of death, for the wages of sin are death, and they had rejected the gift of God’s eternal life in Christ Jesus.