Acts 25:13b-21

Acts 25:13b-21

King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea

on a visit to Festus.

Since they spent several days there,

Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying,

“There is a man here left in custody by Felix.

When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews

brought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.

I answered them that it was not Roman practice

to hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusers

and had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.

So when they came together here, I made no delay;

the next day I took my seat on the tribunal

and ordered the man to be brought in.

His accusers stood around him,

but did not charge him with any of the crimes I suspected.

Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion

and about a certain Jesus who had died

but who Paul claimed was alive.

Since I was at a loss how to investigate this controversy,

I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem

and there stand trial on these charges.

And when Paul appealed that he be held in custody

for the Emperor’s decision,

I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I renew my love for you and my desire to follow your Son. I promise to feed and tend the lambs and sheep in my care. May I glorify you in all that I say and do today.

Encountering the Word of God

1. Paul’s Imprisonment in Caesarea: The Acts of the Apostles concludes with the story of Paul’s imprisonment in Caesarea and his journey to Rome, where he, like Peter, will one day be martyred. As backstory to today’s First Reading, we need to recall that Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem and led by a force of four hundred and seventy soldiers, spearmen, and horsemen to Felix, the governor at Caesarea (Acts 23:23-24). The force was necessary to protect Paul from assassins who were plotting to kill him. Claudius Lysias, who was the tribune of a cohort of Roman soldiers in Jerusalem, explained in a letter that the controversy between Paul and the Jews concerned questions of their law and did not involve any charge deserving of death or imprisonment. Felix heard the case against Paul presented by Ananias, the high priest, and Tertullus, a trained orator who acted as a prosecuting attorney on behalf of the Jerusalem leadership (see Acts 24:1-8). Their main accusation was that Paul tried to profane or desecrate the Temple – possibly because they thought Paul introduced Gentiles into the court of Israel. Instead of deciding Paul’s case, Felix hoped for a bribe from Paul’s friends and left Paul in jail for about two years, from A.D. 58 to 59 (see Acts 24:24-26).  

2. Paul’s Appeal to Caesar Nero: When Felix was replaced in A.D. 59, the new governor Porcius Festus brought Paul in and asked whether or not he would stand trial in Jerusalem. Paul knew that he would not receive a fair trial in Jerusalem and appealed his case to Caesar Nero. Paul was a Roman citizen and had the right to appeal their case to the emperor. “Paul exercises this right to protect his own life, knowing full well that justice would be denied him in Jerusalem. At this point, only the tribunal of Caesar in Rome could handle his case with equity and impartiality” (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, 1978). Paul understood this as the will of God, knowing that he was called to preach the Gospel in Rome. All of these events happened before the arrival of King Herod Agrippa II and his mistress, Bernice, to Caesarea. Bernice was one of the most powerful and beautiful women in the Roman world at the time. Agrippa II was actually her brother. Later, Bernice would become the mistress of the Roman General Titus, who became emperor and destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Today’s First Reading, then, is a summary discussion of Paul’s case and a record of what has happened to Paul.

3. Paul’s Legal Defense before Herod Agrippa II: Just as Jesus appeared before the tetrarch, Herod Antipas, at his trial, so also Paul will be on trial before the last ruler of the Herodian dynasty, King Herod Agrippa II. Jesus was silent before Herod Antipas, who only wanted to see a miracle from Jesus. Paul was not silent but proclaimed the Gospel to the King. The purpose of Paul’s appearance before King Herod was to prepare a report to accompany Paul’s appeal to the imperial court in Rome. Paul is free to address the theological concerns that have caused the Jerusalem religious authorities to bring charges against him. Paul highlights how he has been appointed as a prophet of the New Covenant. Paul knew that Agrippa, unlike Festus, was familiar with the Hebrew prophets (Acts 26:4-5). Paul proclaims that the promise of covenantal restoration given by God to the prophets has been fulfilled with the death and resurrection of the Messiah. The Messiah restores the twelve tribes of Israel by sending out his Spirit to the Israelites and Gentiles among the nations, bringing all who place their faith in Jesus to new life in a restored Israel. Paul argues that he is being accused by the Jews on account of this hope for restoration. He suggests that his opponents have abandoned their belief in the promise of the restoration of all twelve tribes and constricted their hope to the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin (see Pimentel, Envoy of the Messiah, 72). Paul’s proclamation of the Gospel to King Agrippa II “is a fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in the Olivet discourse that, prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, the disciples would be arrested and ‘brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake,’ giving them an opportunity to ‘bear testimony’ (Luke 21:12-143). Jesus applied this prophecy to Paul in particular in His revelation to Ananias (see Acts 9:15)” (Pimentel, Envoy of the Messiah, 71).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are my King, my Savior, and my Redeemer. I rejoice that I am a citizen of your Kingdom of love, peace, joy, justice, and mercy. Reign in my heart and family today!

Living the Word of God: We can learn from Paul the need to allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises that we will suffer with him and for him. Our suffering, united to the passion of Christ, has a redemptive value. Each time we pray and open our hearts to God, we are telling him that we love him and that we will follow his Son on the humble path to the Cross and to the glory of the Resurrection.