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KING AGRIPPA AND BERNICE IN CAESAREA (13-21)

King Agrippa and Bernice traveled to Caesarea to greet Festus. After being in Caesarea for
many days, Festus explains Paul’s situation to Agrippa.

Act 25:13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.

Herod Agrippa II, grandson of Herod the Great, nephew to Herod the Tetrarch (who beheaded
John the Baptist) and son of Agrippa I (who killed James in chapter 12) is one of the most
handsome men in the ancient world and the ruler of Rome. His sister Bernice is said to be the
most beautiful woman of the ancient world. She is the sister of Drusilla. These two sisters
continually fight to outdo each other. Bernice has left her husband and is living in incest with
her brother Agrippa II. Later she will become the mistress of Vespasian who is ruling Jerusalem.
She then becomes the mistress of the son of Vespasian, Titus.

Caesarea is the hometown of Agrippa and Bernice. It was built by their grandfather, and they
want to visit the beautiful seaport city. For a long time they would not visit because Drusilla
lived there with Felix. But now that Felix was gone, they don’t have to be concerned about
seeing Drusilla.

Act 25:14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying:
"There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,

Festus wants Agrippa’s opinion. They are at a party and apparently everyone is having a good
time except Festus. He is bothered about what he has done with Paul and the letter he has to
write. He knows how he should have released him, but did not. Now Paul has appealed to
Caesar, and Festus is bothered. He brought up Felix’s name because he knew how much
Agrippa and Bernice hated him and Drusilla. He is basically telling them, “This is all Felix’s
fault.”

Act 25:15 about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in
Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.

For ten days Festus has been informing them about the situation. He has entertained and
catered to both of them during this time and has given them a little bit of information.

Act 25:16 To them I answered, 'It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to
destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer
for himself concerning the charge against him.'
Festus is trying to place himself in a good light. He is telling them of the greatness of Roman
law, “You are innocent until proven guilty in a fair trial.” Festus is being self-righteous. He is
putting himself in a favorable light by twisting the facts of what happened. Festus has failed.
Instead of admitting his failure, he is covering it with self-righteousness. It was God’s will for
Paul, before he sinned, to go to Rome and then on to Spain. Regardless of Paul’s failure and