Acts 25:4
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὲν
But
G3303
μὲν
But
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
οὖν
G3767
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθη
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
5 of 16
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
τηρεῖσθαι
should be kept
G5083
τηρεῖσθαι
should be kept
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
6 of 16
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλον
that Paul
G3972
Παῦλον
that Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
8 of 16
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ἑαυτὸν
that he himself
G1438
ἑαυτὸν
that he himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
11 of 16
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
μέλλειν
would
G3195
μέλλειν
would
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
13 of 16
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
Historical Context
Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as procurator around AD 59-60. He inherited Paul's case after two years of Felix's political procrastination. Caesarea Maritima, built by Herod the Great, served as the Roman administrative headquarters for Judea, making it the proper venue for cases involving Roman citizens.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Festus's immediate decision-making contrast with Felix's two-year delay, and what does this teach about decisive justice?
- In what ways does God use even pagan officials' commitment to proper procedures to protect His servants?
Analysis & Commentary
Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea—The new procurator (ἡγεμών, hēgemōn) immediately resisted Jewish pressure to relocate Paul to Jerusalem. This decision reflects either Festus's commitment to Roman legal procedure or his early suspicion of Jewish motives. The Greek verb 'tereitai' (kept, guarded) emphasizes Paul's continued protective custody, not imprisonment for proven guilt.
Festus's pledge to depart shortly thither demonstrates administrative efficiency while maintaining judicial neutrality. His decision to keep proceedings in Caesarea—the Roman administrative capital—rather than the religiously charged atmosphere of Jerusalem protected both Roman jurisdiction and Paul's safety.