King Agrippa Learns of Paul's Case
Acts 25:13-22
Acts.25.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ημερων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- δε: CONJ
- διαγενομενων: VERB,aor,mid,ptcp,gen,pl
- τινων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- Αγριππας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- βασιλευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Βερνικη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- κατηντησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- Καισαρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ασπασαμενοι: PART,aor,mid,nom,pl,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Φηστον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 25:23 (verbal): Same episode continued—Agrippa and Bernice arrive in Caesarea (next day) and the narrative immediately describes their audience and the order to bring Paul.
- Acts 26 (structural): Full courtroom scene in which Paul speaks before King Agrippa and Bernice (and Festus); explains the purpose of their visit mentioned in 25:13.
- Acts 24:27 (structural): Background context: Festus has succeeded Felix and Paul is held in Caesarea under Festus' governorship, setting the scene for Agrippa's visit.
- Luke 23:7-11 (thematic): Parallel motif of a ruler (Herod) receiving and questioning a defendant sent before him—similar pattern of provincial rulers/hearings as in the Agrippa–Festus audience.
Alternative generated candidates
- After several days King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.
- After several days, King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.
Acts.25.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ως: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- πλειους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- διετριβον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- εκει: ADV
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Φηστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- βασιλει: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ανεθετο: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- κατα: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Παυλον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- λεγων·Ανηρ: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,masc
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- καταλελειμμενος: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,nom,sg,masc
- υπο: PREP
- Φηλικος: NOUN,gen,sg,masc
- δεσμιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 24:27 (verbal): Nearly identical report: Felix left Paul bound in prison; situates Festus' arrival and the two‑year interval.
- Acts 23:35 (structural): Earlier account of Paul being placed in Herod's praetorium at Caesarea under guard—same setting of his custody.
- Acts 25:11 (thematic): Paul's appeal to Caesar (declaring he must be sent to Caesar) explains why Festus reports Paul's case to higher authorities.
- Acts 26:31-32 (structural): Agrippa's verdict that Paul had done nothing deserving death and might have been released had he not appealed underscores the continuity of judicial custody begun under Felix.
Alternative generated candidates
- And after they had been there many days, Festus laid the case before the king, saying, "There is a certain man whom Felix left in custody."
- While they remained there many days, Festus laid the case before the king, saying, "There is here a man whom Felix left as a prisoner."
Acts.25.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- περι: PREP
- ου: PART,neg
- γενομενου: VERB,aor,pass,part,gen,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- εις: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ενεφανισαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πρεσβυτεροι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- Ιουδαιων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αιτουμενοι: VERB,part,pres,mid,nom,pl,m
- κατ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- καταδικην·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Acts 21:27-29 (structural): Narrates the arrest of Paul in Jerusalem and the role of the chief priests and elders in accusing him — the immediate context for the charges mentioned in Acts 25:15.
- Acts 23:1-10 (structural): Describes Paul brought before the Sanhedrin (chief priests and elders) where accusations and factional responses are played out, illustrating the same leaders seeking his condemnation.
- Acts 26:2-3 (verbal): Paul's account before Agrippa recounts being accused by Jews in Jerusalem and their desire to kill him, a retrospective summary of the charges noted in Acts 25:15.
- Matthew 26:3-4 (thematic): The chief priests and elders plot to arrest and condemn Jesus — a parallel example of Jewish leaders scheming to secure condemnation of a contested figure.
- John 11:47-53 (thematic): The council of chief priests and Pharisees decide Jesus must be put to death to prevent unrest, showing the same pattern of Jerusalem leadership seeking condemnation.
Alternative generated candidates
- About him, when I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews lodged complaints, asking that judgment be given against him.
- When I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews brought charges against him, asking that he be condemned.
Acts.25.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- προς: PREP
- ους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- απεκριθην: VERB,aor,mid,ind,1,sg
- οτι: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εθος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- Ρωμαιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- χαριζεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ανθρωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- πριν: ADV
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- κατηγορουμενος: PART,pres,pass,nom,sg,m
- κατα: PREP
- προσωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εχοι: VERB,pres,act,opt,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- κατηγορους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- τοπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τε: CONJ
- απολογιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- λαβοι: VERB,aor,opt,act,3,sg
- περι: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- εγκληματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
Parallels
- Acts 22:25-29 (thematic): Shows Roman legal protections for a citizen (Paul’s citizenship prevented scourging without trial), echoing the procedural rights Festus invokes in 25:16.
- Acts 25:11 (structural): Paul’s immediate appeal to Caesar is the practical response to Festus’ statement about Roman procedure—he invokes Roman legal process to avoid being delivered without his accusers.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 (allusion): OT legal principle that a matter must be established by witnesses—parallels the requirement that accusers appear and the accused have opportunity to answer.
- Deuteronomy 1:16-17 (thematic): Mosaic injunction to hear cases fairly and allow both parties to be heard; similar concern for a right hearing before judgment.
- Matthew 18:15-16 (thematic): Prescribes a staged procedure for confronting an offender (private confrontation, then witnesses), reflecting the broader principle that accusations should be substantiated before judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- To them I answered, it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man to die before the accused has faced his accusers and has had opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge.
- To them I replied that it is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to death before the accused has the accusers face him and has had opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge.
Acts.25.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συνελθοντων: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,pl,m
- ουν: CONJ
- ενθαδε: ADV
- αναβολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μηδεμιαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ποιησαμενος: VERB,aor,mid,part,gen,m,sg
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εξης: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- καθισας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- επι: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- βηματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- εκελευσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- αχθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ανδρα·: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- John 19:13 (verbal): Uses the same courtroom formula — Pilate “sat down on the judgment seat” (ἐκάθισεν ἐπὶ τὸ βῆμα), paralleling Acts 25:17's καθίσας ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος.
- Luke 23:13-16 (structural): Pilate convenes the rulers, sits as judge, and addresses the accused/crowd — a parallel judicial scene in which a Roman magistrate presides and hears accusations.
- Acts 24:1-9 (thematic): Earlier legal episode in Acts where Paul is formally accused before a provincial governor (Felix); parallels include assembly of accusers, formal hearing procedures, and the governor’s role in ordering testimony.
- Matthew 27:24-26 (thematic): Pilate’s judicial actions — sitting in judgment, receiving the crowd/accusers, and ordering the fate of the accused — reflect the same procedural motifs of a Roman tribunal as in Acts 25:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore, being uncertain about such matters, I asked whether he had committed any crime worthy of death.
- Therefore, when they came here, without delay I took my seat on the judgment bench the next day and ordered the man to be brought.
Acts.25.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- περι: PREP
- ου: PART,neg
- σταθεντες: VERB,aor,pass,part,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- κατηγοροι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ουδεμιαν: ADJ,f,acc,sg
- αιτιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εφερον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- υπενοουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,sg
- πονηρων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 24:21 (verbal): Paul earlier insists that, apart from his proclamation of the resurrection, his accusers could not prove the charges against him—language and legal claim closely parallel to Acts 25:18.
- Luke 23:4 (thematic): Pilate declares to the Jewish leaders that he finds no fault in Jesus—a similar judicial judgement that the accusations lack provable charge.
- John 19:4 (thematic): Pilate announces, 'I find no fault in him,' echoing the motif of authorities recognizing the accusers’ inability to establish a valid charge.
- Matthew 27:23-24 (thematic): Pilate questions 'What evil has he done?' and washes his hands—illustrates the same theme of an official acknowledging the absence of a justifiable accusation.
Alternative generated candidates
- But they objected that they had certain disputes with him about their own religion and about one Jesus, who had died—whom Paul asserted to be alive.
- But when the accusers stood up, they offered no charge of the sort I had expected.
Acts.25.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ζητηματα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- δε: CONJ
- τινα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- περι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ιδιας: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- δεισιδαιμονιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ειχον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- περι: PREP
- τινος: PRON,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τεθνηκοτος: PART,perf,act,gen,sg,m
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- εφασκεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Παυλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ζην: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Acts 17:18-19 (verbal): Paul is again described as preaching about 'Jesus and the resurrection,' provoking questions and charges about his message concerning Jesus' life after death—parallels the reference to Jesus 'whom Paul affirmed was alive.'
- Acts 24:14-15 (structural): In his prior defense Paul insists he worships the God of his fathers and professes belief in the resurrection—connecting the two themes here: disputes about Jewish religion ('their own superstition') and about belief in a risen Jesus.
- Acts 26:22-23 (thematic): Paul's later defense before Agrippa summarizes his preaching that the Messiah must suffer and that 'he would be the first to rise from the dead,' echoing the claim that Paul proclaimed a Jesus once dead but now alive.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (thematic): Paul's creedal summary of Christ's death and resurrection (and appearances to witnesses) undergirds the claim in Acts that Paul proclaimed Jesus as risen—doctrinal parallel to the assertion that Jesus, though dead, is alive.
Alternative generated candidates
- Because I was at a loss about these questions, I asked him whether he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged on them.
- Rather, they had certain disputes with him about their own religion and about a man named Jesus, who had died—whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Acts.25.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απορουμενος: PART,pres,mid,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- περι: PREP
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ζητησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ελεγον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- βουλοιτο: VERB,pres,mid,opt,3,sg
- πορευεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid,inf
- εις: PREP
- Ιεροσολυμα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- κακει: ADV
- κρινεσθαι: VERB,pres,pass,inf
- περι: PREP
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Acts 25:11 (verbal): Directly connected procedural language — Paul’s appeal to Caesar is the legal reason Festus cites for uncertainty about how to proceed, hence the question whether to send him to Jerusalem or not.
- Acts 23:29–30 (structural): Earlier example of Roman handling of a disputed Jewish case: the commander/authorities transfer a prisoner under escort and report to a provincial governor (Felix/Caesarea), showing Roman procedures and jurisdictional transfers like those at issue here.
- Luke 23:7–11 (thematic): Pilate’s sending of Jesus to Herod (and the resulting jurisdictional back-and-forth) parallels the motif of transferring a defendant to another authority for judgment when local resolution seems inappropriate.
- Acts 26:1–3 (structural): Paul’s subsequent defense before King Agrippa flows from Festus’ decision about jurisdiction and illustrates the outcome of sending or presenting a prisoner to another authority for adjudication.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when Paul appealed to have his case heard before Augustus, I commanded that he be held until I could send him to Caesar.
- Being uncertain how to examine such matters, I asked whether he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and there be tried on these points.
Acts.25.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- Παυλου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- επικαλεσαμενου: VERB,aor,mid,part,gen,sg,m
- τηρηθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Σεβαστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- διαγνωσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εκελευσα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- τηρεισθαι: VERB,pres,pass,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- εως: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- αναπεμψω: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- Καισαρα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 25:11 (verbal): Paul's explicit appeal 'I appeal unto Caesar' is the immediate cause for his custody and transfer mentioned in v.21.
- Acts 25:12 (structural): Festus' formal decision to keep Paul until he could be sent to Caesar repeats and implements the disposition described in v.21.
- Acts 26:32 (quotation): Agrippa summarizes the legal outcome—because Paul appealed to Caesar he must be sent there—echoing the same rationale as Acts 25:21.
- Acts 23:30 (structural): Earlier instance where Roman authorities arrange custody and transfer of Paul for trial before higher officials (sending him to Felix/Caesarea), paralleling the administrative procedure in 25:21.
- Acts 27:1-2 (thematic): The later handing over of Paul to a centurion for conveyance to Italy fulfills the decision in 25:21 to keep him until he could be sent to Caesar.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would also like to hear the man myself." Festus answered, "Tomorrow you shall hear him."
- But when Paul appealed to have his case heard by the emperor, I ordered him to be detained until I could send him to Caesar.
Acts.25.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αγριππας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Φηστον·Εβουλομην: NOUN,acc,sg,m + VERB,impf,mid,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ακουσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- Αυριον: ADV
- φησιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ακουση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Acts 26:1 (structural): Direct continuation — Paul delivers his defense the next day, fulfilling Festus' promise that Agrippa would hear him.
- Acts 25:23 (verbal): Immediate scene description — Agrippa and Bernice arrive at the hearing the following day, showing the same event continued.
- Acts 24:10-21 (thematic): Paul's earlier defense before Governor Felix parallels Paul speaking before Festus and Agrippa as a prisoner vindicating himself legally and theologically.
- Acts 23:1-10 (thematic): Earlier episodes of formal hearings and disputes over Paul's testimony (Sanhedrin riot) provide context for the recurring motif of public legal/theological examination in Acts.
- Luke 23:7-10 (thematic): Herod's desire to see and question Jesus (and his subsequent mockery) parallels the curiosity of rulers (Festus/Agrippa) to hear a defendant's case and make a judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great display and entered the audience hall with the chief military officers and the leading men of the city; and when they came in, with the soldiers, they placed Paul between them.
- Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would also like to hear this man myself. Tomorrow, tell me what you have to say."
Now after about eight days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to salute Festus. And while they were there and had been for many days, Festus explained Paul's case to the king, saying, "There is a man left in custody by Felix,"
"concerning whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews laid accusations before me, pleading for a judgment against him."
"To them I answered that it is not the Roman practice to hand anyone over to die before the accused has met his accusers face to face and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge brought against him."
"When therefore they had come together here, I delayed no longer; on the next day I took my seat upon the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought."
"And when the accusers stood up, they did not bring charges of the sort I had expected."
"Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul declared to be alive."
"Since I was at a loss how to investigate these matters, I asked him whether he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and there be tried concerning them."
"But when Paul appealed to have his case decided by Caesar, I resolved to send him to Rome."
"I therefore wrote to the emperor and to the principal men of the Jews, that there should be a trial about him; and I ordered him to be kept in Herod's praetorium."