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Festus feels obligated to give the Jews a break in this case. He will now even break the law to
please them.

PAUL REQUESTS AN AUDIENCE WITH CAESAR (10-12)

Paul states he is a Roman citizen, therefore, under Roman law. He continues by declaring that
if he has committed a crime worthy of death, so be it. Festus’ response to Paul is to ask him if
he has appealed to Caesar.

Act 25:10 So Paul said, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the
Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.

Paul says, “I am under Roman law. Roman law found me innocent of Jewish accusations, and
the charges have not been changed. I will stick with Roman law until released or sentenced.”
Festus knows Paul has done no wrong, even though he would not admit it.

25:10 I have done no wrong, adikeo (ad-ee-keh-oh); To do an injustice, to act criminally
or unrighteously, to violate any human or divine law, to do wrong, to mistreat others.
The word is a compound of a, “without,” and dike, “right”; hence, an illegal action.
Adikeo consists of offending legally, general wrongdoing, social injustice, and inflicting
hurt or damage on individuals. In his appeal to Caesar, Paul declares his innocence.

Act 25:11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not
object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one
can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar."

For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death (under Roman law), I
refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may
deliver be unto them. I appeal (apikaleomai: call on, appellate) unto Caesar.

Paul believes in capital punishment even for himself if he is guilty. Now under Roman law, he
has removed himself from Festus and desires to go to the authority above Festus. Paul cannot
go lower (back to Jewish court), but only higher, all the way to Caesar in Rome.

Act 25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed
to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!"

Festus finds himself in a tough situation. He has refused to acquit a Roman citizen who has no
legal grounds for indictment. Paul has now appealed to go higher and Festus will have to write
a letter that makes sense and justifies Paul’s two years in prison and his stand in refusing to
acquit Paul. Paul has played a trump card and called Festus’s hand. Festus puts on his poker
face and informs Paul he will let him go. Paul knows Roman law and uses it.