Acts 25:9
What does Acts 25:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 25:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 25:9 means
Festus, wanting to gain favor with the Jews, proposes moving the trial to Jerusalem, with himself presiding there. This reveals the tension between justice and politics. He has just seen the lack of proof, yet he seeks a compromise that would please powerful locals. Such a move would place Paul in danger, given the earlier plot and the charged atmosphere. The suggestion sounds reasonable—judge the case where the religious issues are best understood—but it is actually a step away from impartiality. God will use this moment to lead Paul to claim his legal right and thus advance the mission toward Rome.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But Festus, desiring to get the approval of the Jews, said to Paul, Will you go up to Jerusalem, and be judged before me there in connection with these things?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Festus willing to lay on the Jews a favour, answering Paul, said, `Art thou willing, to Jerusalem having gone up, there concerning these things to be judged before me?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But Festus, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, answering Paul, said: Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things before me?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But Festus, desirous of obliging the Jews, to acquire their favour, answering Paul, said, Art thou willing to go up to Jerusalem, there to be judged before me concerning these things?
Context
Paul has denied wrongdoing (verse 8), and the charges have not been established (verse 7). Despite this, Festus looks for a way to appease the Jewish leaders, proposing Jerusalem as the venue (verse 9). This sets up a crisis: Paul cannot safely accept such a transfer. In the next verses (10–11), Paul asserts his right to be tried where he stands and appeals to Cæsar. That decision removes the case from local manipulation and compels Festus to send him to Rome. Understanding Festus’ political motive clarifies why Paul must act decisively now.
v.8while Paul said in his defence, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cæsar, have I sinned at all.
v.9This passage
v.10But Paul said, I am standing before Cæsar’s judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 25:3
asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.
- Acts 12:3
And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread.
- Acts 25:20
And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters.
- Mark 15:15
And Pilate, wishing to content the multitude, released unto them Barabbas, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
- Acts 24:27
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
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