Acts 25:9
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θέλεις
Wilt thou
G2309
Θέλεις
Wilt thou
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
6 of 22
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
χάριν
a pleasure
G5485
χάριν
a pleasure
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
7 of 22
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
καταθέσθαι
to do
G2698
καταθέσθαι
to do
Strong's:
G2698
Word #:
8 of 22
to place down, i.e., deposit (literally or figuratively)
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
G611
ἀποκριθεὶς
answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
9 of 22
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παύλῳ
Paul
G3972
Παύλῳ
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
11 of 22
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
Θέλεις
Wilt thou
G2309
Θέλεις
Wilt thou
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
13 of 22
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
14 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Ἱεροσόλυμα
Jerusalem
G2414
Ἱεροσόλυμα
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2414
Word #:
15 of 22
hierosolyma (i.e., jerushalaim), the capitol of palestine
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
18 of 22
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τούτων
these things
G5130
τούτων
these things
Strong's:
G5130
Word #:
19 of 22
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
Cross References
Acts 24:27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.Acts 25:20And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.Acts 12:3And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
Historical Context
Festus faced the same challenge that destroyed Felix: governing Judea's religiously fanatical population while maintaining Roman authority. His attempt to 'do the Jews a pleasure' shows how quickly political pressure corrupted even capable administrators. Paul would likely have been ambushed en route to Jerusalem, as earlier plots intended (Acts 23:12-15).
Questions for Reflection
- How do political expediency and 'doing favors' corrupt justice systems today?
- When have you faced pressure to compromise integrity to gain favor with powerful groups?
Analysis & Commentary
Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure (θέλων χάριν καταθέσθαι, thelōn charin katathesthai)—literally 'wishing to lay down favor.' Despite recognizing Paul's innocence, Festus immediately compromised judicial integrity for political expediency. The same corruption that characterized Felix now infected his successor. Roman justice, though superior to mob rule, remained vulnerable to political manipulation.
His question—Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem?—was juridically absurd. The accused doesn't choose his venue; the magistrate determines jurisdiction. Festus's offer reveals willingness to abandon proper legal procedure to appease volatile subjects, turning Paul's trial into a political bargaining chip.