Acts 25:20
And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
Original Language Analysis
ἀπορούμενος
doubted
G639
ἀπορούμενος
doubted
Strong's:
G639
Word #:
1 of 18
to have no way out, i.e., be at a loss (mentally)
εἰς
of
G1519
εἰς
of
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
περὶ
manner
G4012
περὶ
manner
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ζήτησιν
of questions
G2214
ζήτησιν
of questions
Strong's:
G2214
Word #:
8 of 18
a searching (properly, the act), i.e., a dispute or its theme
ἔλεγον
I asked
G3004
ἔλεγον
I asked
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
πορεύεσθαι
go
G4198
πορεύεσθαι
go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
12 of 18
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
εἰς
of
G1519
εἰς
of
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
13 of 18
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
14 of 18
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
Historical Context
Roman officials could refer cases involving Jewish law to the Sanhedrin, especially under a new governor unsure of local dynamics. Festus had been in office only days when the Jewish leaders pressed Paul's case. His offer to try Paul in Jerusalem was politically astute—it would curry favor with Jewish leadership—but legally questionable since Paul was a Roman citizen in Roman custody. The proposal reveals Festus's political calculation over strict justice. Paul's appeal to Caesar was his legal right as a citizen and would remove the case from Festus's jurisdiction entirely.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Festus's honest perplexity about theological matters illustrate the necessity of the Holy Spirit to understand spiritual truth?
- What does Paul's refusal to accept trial in Jerusalem teach about wisdom in recognizing danger disguised as accommodation?
- In what situations should Christians refuse seemingly reasonable compromises that actually endanger gospel faithfulness or personal safety?
Analysis & Commentary
And because I doubted of such manner of questions—Festus's candid admission: ἀπορούμενος (aporoumenos, 'being at a loss, perplexed') about τὴν περὶ τούτων ζήτησιν (tēn peri toutōn zētēsin, 'the inquiry concerning these things'). He's honest about his incompetence to judge Jewish theological disputes. This wasn't Roman jurisdiction—theology wasn't a legal category unless it threatened public order.
I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters—Festus's proposal (ἔλεγον εἰ βούλοιτο πορεύεσθαι, elegon ei bouloito poreuesthai, 'I was asking if he might wish to go') seems reasonable but was actually dangerous. Paul knew the ambush plot (23:12-15) and that the Sanhedrin couldn't give him a fair trial. Festus's suggestion, though presented as accommodation to Paul, was politically motivated—passing a difficult case to Jewish authorities. This sets up Paul's appeal to Caesar in verse 11, which would finally bring him to Rome as God intended (23:11).