Porcius Festus

Porcius Festus is the Roman governor in Acts who succeeded Felix while Paul remained in prison (Acts 24:27). He is named in at least 15 verses in Acts. After assuming the province, Festus went from Caesarea to Jerusalem (Acts 25:1). He said that Paul should be kept at Caesarea (Acts 25:4), and after Paul appealed to Caesar, he answered, “to Caesar you will go” (Acts 25:12).

Festus presented Paul’s case to King Agrippa (Acts 25:14). During Paul’s defense, Festus said that Paul’s great learning was driving him insane (Acts 26:24). Agrippa later told Festus that Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (Acts 26:32).