Acts 25:6
And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 21
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
5 of 21
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
πλείους
more
G4119
πλείους
more
Strong's:
G4119
Word #:
6 of 21
more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐπαύριον
and the next day
G1887
ἐπαύριον
and the next day
Strong's:
G1887
Word #:
13 of 21
occurring on the succeeding day, i.e., (g2250 being implied) to-morrow
καθίσας
sitting
G2523
καθίσας
sitting
Strong's:
G2523
Word #:
14 of 21
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βήματος
the judgment seat
G968
βήματος
the judgment seat
Strong's:
G968
Word #:
17 of 21
a step, i.e., foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e., a tribunal
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 25:17Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.Acts 25:10Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.Matthew 27:19When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
Historical Context
The judgment seat was a raised platform in Caesarea's praetorium where the procurator heard cases. Archaeological remains at Caesarea show the elaborate administrative complex where these proceedings occurred. The ten-day visit allowed Festus to assess the volatile political situation in Jerusalem.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's experience before earthly judgment seats prepare him (and us) to think rightly about standing before Christ's judgment?
- What does the contrast between Felix's delay and Festus's promptness teach about different forms of injustice?
Analysis & Commentary
More than ten days—Luke's precise timeframe emphasizes the brief courtesy visit to Jerusalem before returning to governmental duties. Festus's quick action contrasts with Felix's two-year neglect. Sitting on the judgment seat (βήματος, bēmatos) refers to the official tribunal where Roman magistrates rendered legal decisions, symbolizing imperial authority.
The phrase commanded Paul to be brought initiates formal legal proceedings. The 'bema' (judgment seat) appears throughout Paul's trials and later in his theology (Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10), where he applies the image to Christ's final judgment. Paul's earthly trials become types of ultimate accountability before God.