Paul on trial (Acts 24-26)

Paul appears before three judges in Acts 24-26: the Roman governors Felix and Festus, and King Herod Agrippa II, last ruler of the Herodian dynasty. The Jewish leaders accuse Paul of profaning the temple and stirring up trouble. Paul vigorously defends himself before all of the religious and secular authorities he faces.

While Paul's judges respond to him in different ways, they all display a preponderant concern with the political ramifications of the situation rather than any ultimate truths. Felix was frightened by Paul's talk "about righteousness and self-restraint and the coming judgment" (Acts 24:25). Yet Paul's words produced no discernible change in Felix's behavior. Felix kept Paul in jail for two years, partly to ingratiate himself with the Jewish leaders; he also hoped to receive a bribe from Paul to secure his release (Acts 24:26).  

Festus succeeded Felix as governor of Judea. Upon hearing from the Jewish leaders and Paul, Festus realized their dispute was religious in nature, and he had neither the learning nor interest to judge it properly. He asked Paul if he would consent to being tried before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. Paul knew well that such a trial would result in his death, so he appealed to the emperor as a Roman citizen. "Then Festus, after conferring with his council, replied, 'You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go'” (Acts 25:12). 

Festus was at a loss even to describe the charges brought against Paul, so he reached out to King Agrippa to hear Paul's case, thinking that Agrippa would have a better grasp on the controversies between the Jews and Christians. It is noteworthy that at this point (around 59 AD), the Christians are being identified as a unique group, variously describe in Acts as followers of the Way, the "sect of the Nazoreans" (the Pharisees' derisive term), and as Christians. Agrippa and Festus agree after hearing Paul that he has done nothing to deserve imprisonment or death but feel compelled to follow Paul's wish to be heard by Caesar.

To all, but particularly the Jewish leaders, Paul stresses that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that Moses and the prophets wrote; and that the foretold time to "proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles" was at hand (Acts 26:23). He particularly appeals to the Pharisees, who (unlike the Sadducees) believed in the resurrection of the dead in principle, yet rejected the resurrection of Jesus: "But now I am standing trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors. Our twelve tribes hope to attain to that promise as they fervently worship God day and night; and on account of this hope I am accused by Jews, O king. Why is it thought unbelievable among you that God raises the dead?" (Acts 26:6-8). 

Paul's goal is not to save his own skin - he bluntly tells Festus "I do not seek to escape the death penalty" (Acts 25:11) - but for the conversion and salvation of his hearers. To King Agrippa he says, “I would pray to God that sooner or later not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am except for these chains" (Acts 26:29). Nothing deters Paul from the mission Jesus gave him. Even in chains, he continues to preach the gospel of Christ.

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet every day for the salvation of souls.