Festus

Also known as: Porcius Festus · Family: Roman · Role: governor · First appears: Acts 24

In Acts 24, after two years, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, who had left Paul imprisoned to please the Jews. In Acts 25 at Caesarea, Festus kept Paul there rather than sending him to Jerusalem, commanded him to be brought before the judgment seat, and asked whether he would go to Jerusalem to be judged.

After Agrippa and Bernice arrived to salute him, Festus agreed that Agrippa could hear Paul the next day. At Festus’ commandment, Paul was brought before Agrippa and Bernice; Festus found that he had done nothing worthy of death and said, “I have determined to send him” to Caesar after his appeal to Augustus.

In Acts 26, Festus told Paul, “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.” Later, Festus and Agrippa judged that Paul deserved neither death nor imprisonment, though Agrippa said he might have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.

Relationship record

Life events

Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, who left Paul imprisoned to please the Jews.(Acts 24)
- With: Felix Paul
- “But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.”
Festus kept Paul at Caesarea, preventing his transfer to Jerusalem and the planned ambush.(Acts 25 · 📍 Caesarea)
- With: Paul
- “that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea”
Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to salute Festus.(Acts 25 · 📍 Caesarea)
- With: Agrippa Bernice
- “And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.”
Agrippa requested to hear Paul, and Festus agreed to present him the next day.(Acts 25 · 📍 Caesarea)
- With: Agrippa Paul
- “Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.”
Paul was brought before Agrippa and Bernice for examination in the place of hearing.(Acts 25 · 📍 Caesarea)
- With: Agrippa Bernice Paul
- “And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.”
Festus found Paul had committed nothing worthy of death and determined to send him to Caesar.(Acts 25 · 📍 Caesarea)
- With: Paul Caesar
- “But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.”
Agrippa and Festus judged Paul worthy of neither death nor imprisonment, but his appeal prevented release.(Acts 26)
- With: Agrippa Paul Bernice Caesar
- “And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.”

Acts 24

with Felix (Festus succeeded Felix in office.) “But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.”

Acts 25

subordinate: Paul “and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought”
judged: Paul “Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?”
sent-one: Paul “I have determined to send him.”
with Agrippa (interaction) “Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king”
with Agrippa (interaction) “king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus”
with Bernice (Bernice came to salute Festus.) “And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.”

Acts 26

with Paul (Festus accused Paul of madness.) “And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.”

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Extracted from the original text of The New Testament. Made with Rho MD.