Acts 25:14
And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
Original Language Analysis
ὡς
when
G5613
ὡς
when
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
1 of 23
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
πλείους
many
G4119
πλείους
many
Strong's:
G4119
Word #:
3 of 23
more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
4 of 23
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλεῖ
unto the king
G935
βασιλεῖ
unto the king
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
10 of 23
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατὰ
cause
G2596
κατὰ
cause
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
13 of 23
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
Paul's
G3972
Παῦλον
Paul's
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
15 of 23
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἐστιν
There is
G2076
ἐστιν
There is
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
19 of 23
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
καταλελειμμένος
left
G2641
καταλελειμμένος
left
Strong's:
G2641
Word #:
20 of 23
to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining
ὑπὸ
by
G5259
ὑπὸ
by
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
21 of 23
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
Historical Context
Paul had been imprisoned since AD 57, spending two years under Felix (Acts 24:27) before Festus arrived. His continued imprisonment without trial violated Roman legal principles, but political pressure from the Sanhedrin made releasing him politically dangerous. Festus's consultation with Agrippa sought both legal advice and political cover.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you maintain faith when justice is 'delayed' by administrative cowardice?
- What does Paul's patient endurance of unjust imprisonment teach about trusting God's timing over human systems?
Analysis & Commentary
When they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king—Festus waited for proper timing to discuss his administrative dilemma. The verb 'anetheto' (declared, set forth) suggests formal presentation of a legal case. He introduces Paul as a certain man left in bonds by Felix, distancing himself from his predecessor's political cowardice while acknowledging the case's complicated history.
The phrase 'in bonds' (δέσμιος, desmios) emphasizes Paul's ongoing imprisonment without conviction. For two years under Felix, now continuing under Festus, Paul remained bound despite no proven charges. This prolonged injustice—protective custody becoming indefinite imprisonment—illustrates the corruption of even the 'superior' Roman legal system when political expediency trumps justice.