Which court?

 Ninth Friday after Pentecost

Lectionary Texts:

Friday:

2 Samuel 10

John 6:1-15

Saturday

2 Samuel 11:1-15

John 6:16-21

Today we will continue our Acts Bible Study. Please read Acts 25. I know this is more than our usual amount of reading, but it is perhaps the least interesting chapter in Acts. In fact, this whole section of chapter 22-26--Paul in Roman custody is short on excitement, if strong on first century provincial Roman reality.  The basic plot of these chapters is the indecision of Roman bureaucrats. A subtext might be that the Roman authorities are so indecisive that Paul finally has to tell them what to do--and they do it. The problem for Paul is that they do it in their own sweet time, which can be very slow indeed.

Festus takes over from Felix as Procurator (Governor) of Judea in the year 60 A,D, The Paul matters has been left in his hands. He realizes that it is a sensitive matter for his Jewish subjects. He invites representatives of Paul's accusers to come with him to Caesarea, wheres they will witness against Paul. Their charges are weak. Paul's defense is strong. Festus asks Paul if he is willing to go to Jerusalem for trial. Festus will still be the judge. Apparently Festus sees this as an opportunity to show Paul's strong case before the Jewish public and thus curry Jewish popular sentiment for a not-guilty verdict. Paul's Jewish opponents see it as an opportunity to ambush and kill Paul on the way, 

Paul, using his right as a Roman citizen, appeals to the Emperor. Festus is relieved. Roman law concerning citizenship is more complex than I want to research, much more complex than US law. In the US all citizens have (at least in theory) the same rights. In Roman law there are different types of citizenship for different classes, families, degrees of wealth, birthplace, etc. Citizenship laws changed rapidly during the reign of Augustus (27 BC-14 AD). The only absolute was that slaves could not be citizens. 

Festus summons King Agrippa II, who governs Galilee, Samaria, and trans-Jordan Upper Galilee for help on this issue (and probably others). Agrippa brings his sister Bernice and a large retinue for the pomp of a royal visit. Knowing that Agrippa is Jewish, Festus hopes for good legal advice on matters of Jewish law which are utterly arcane to him.

Festus explains the case to Agrippa in some detail including some words about Jesus. Agrippa says that he wants to hear Paul himself on the morrow.

Lord God,

For the detailed research and presentation of Luke the historian in relating this story to us we give you thanks. No history book has ever had more readers. May there be many more to come. In Christ's name, Amen.

Faithfully

Christian