Acts 25:27
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
This statement, made before witnesses including King Agrippa, Roman military commanders, and civic leaders of Caesarea, constitutes near-official exoneration of Paul and Christianity. While not a formal legal judgment, Festus's public acknowledgment that sending Paul without charges would be 'unreasonable' establishes precedent. Early Christian apologists later cited such official acknowledgments when defending Christianity's legal status. The scene fulfills Jesus's prophecy that His followers would testify before 'governors and kings...for a testimony against them' (Matthew 10:18)—Paul's very presence, with no sustainable charges, testifies against his accusers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Festus's frustration at having no charges to write actually serve as powerful evidence for Christianity's innocence before civil law?
- What does this passage teach about the importance of maintaining good testimony and giving no legitimate grounds for accusation?
- In what ways might God use even the procedural difficulties of unbelieving authorities to advance and protect gospel work?
Analysis & Commentary
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him—Festus's frustration: ἄλογον γάρ μοι δοκεῖ (alogon gar moi dokei, 'For unreasonable it seems to me') to send (πέμποντα δέσμιον, pemponta desmion, 'sending a prisoner') without specifying (μὴ καὶ σημᾶναι, mē kai sēmanai, 'not also to indicate') τὰς κατ᾽ αὐτοῦ αἰτίας (tas kat' autou aitias, 'the charges against him').
This verse exposes the absurdity of Paul's situation: imprisoned for years, demanded dead by Jewish leaders, yet no actual crimes identified. Festus's administrative embarrassment becomes a testimony to Paul's innocence and Christianity's legal status. The governor's candid admission before this assembled court provides official documentation that Paul—and by extension, the Christian faith he represents—is guilty of no crime against Rome. This will prove crucial as Christianity spreads; enemies cannot claim it was judged criminal by Roman officials.