Paul Faces Another Trial — Standing Strong in a Broken System (Acts 25:1–27)
Have you ever felt stuck in a situation where no one seemed to listen, and no matter how many times you told the truth, people just wouldn’t believe you? That’s what the apostle Paul went through as he stood on trial—again—in Acts 25. But even in the middle of confusion, politics, and pressure, Paul remained calm and confident because he trusted in God’s plan.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened.
A New Governor, Same Old Pressure
After being unfairly kept in prison for two years, Paul now faced a new Roman governor named Festus. Right away, the Jewish leaders came to Festus with the same complaint: “Paul must be put to death!” They asked Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem, hoping to ambush and kill him on the way.
But Festus didn’t fall for it. He told them to come to Caesarea, where Paul was being held, and present their case there.
Another Trial, More False Charges
In Caesarea, the Jewish leaders arrived and made serious accusations against Paul—but still couldn’t prove anything. Paul defended himself once again, saying:
“I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law, the temple, or the Roman government.”
Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked Paul, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there?”
But Paul knew this wasn’t safe or fair. So he boldly said:
“I am standing at Caesar’s court, where I should be tried. I have not done anything wrong, and you know it. If I’m guilty, I accept the punishment. But if I’m innocent, no one has the right to hand me over. I appeal to Caesar!”
This was a legal right every Roman citizen had—to have their case heard by the emperor himself.
Festus discussed it with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you will go!”
Enter King Agrippa and Queen Bernice
A few days later, King Agrippa (the great-grandson of Herod the Great) and his sister Bernice came to visit Festus. Festus told them all about Paul’s case and admitted he was confused. Paul had not committed any crime deserving death, yet the Jewish leaders wanted him gone. The real debate, Festus said, was about Jesus—who had died, but whom Paul claimed was alive.
Festus asked Agrippa to help him write a report to Caesar. After all, it would sound strange to send a prisoner to Rome without clearly explaining why he was being sent!
What We Can Learn from Acts 25
- Truth doesn’t always win right away
Paul told the truth again and again, yet the people in power kept avoiding justice. Even so, Paul remained calm and stuck with the truth. - God can use broken systems
The Roman legal system was far from perfect, but God used it to move Paul forward—toward Rome, where he would eventually share the gospel with even more people. - It’s okay to use your rights
Paul wasn’t afraid to use his rights as a Roman citizen. He didn’t complain or panic—he simply knew his rights and stood his ground. - Jesus is always at the center
Festus couldn’t understand why Paul was even on trial, except for one thing: Jesus. The message that Jesus died and rose again was still causing a stir—and that message is still powerful today.
Final Thought:
Paul was patient, wise, and courageous. He didn’t try to please people—he stood on the truth. Even when the process was slow and unfair, Paul knew God was guiding every step.
If you’re ever in a situation where it feels like no one hears you or things aren’t fair, remember Paul. Trust God, use wisdom, and keep speaking the truth. God is always working behind the scenes—and His timing is always right.
Acts 25:1-27 (WEB)
25:1 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him, 3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him on the way. 4 However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly. 5 “Let them therefore”, he said, “that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”6 When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. 7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove, 8 while he said in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.”9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be judged by me there concerning these things?”10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well. 11 For if I have done wrong and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”13 Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; 15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him. 16 I 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. 17 When 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. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charges against him of such things as I supposed; 19 but had certain questions against him about their own religion and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 21 But 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.”22 Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.”“Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”23 So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I determined to send him, 26 of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him.”