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repentance, God’s will has not changed, only His means of getting Paul to Rome. He will use
the excellent means of Roman law to get Paul there.

The weakness in leadership does not stop God. He uses it. God uses failures of others as
stepping stones for His plans and His people. God uses any situation for His glory, as we should
(Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 7:20-21). If Festus or Felix had used Roman law correctly, they
would have allowed Paul to leave much sooner. If they had, Paul would have proceeded to
Rome. Regardless of the motives of Felix and Festus in detaining Paul, God will still get Paul to
Rome at Rome’s expense. On the way, Paul will write some of his greatest epistles. He will also
be protected from religious Jews by the Roman military

Act 25:17 Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the
judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in.

He is bragging on his efficiency to minimize his own mistakes. He is saying, “I did not waste any
time.” Roman law and the importance of quick justice; no delays for weeks and months causing
people to forget the importance of the act of the facts surrounding the crime.
Act 25:18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things
as I supposed,

During his stay in Jerusalem he had been convinced by the Jews of Paul’s guilt. He is now
admitting that he has presupposed Paul’s guilt but has found out otherwise during the trials
because the Jews are actually upset over religious doctrine. Festus knows Agrippa has an
understanding of the Jewish religion and can help him straighten out this matter.
Act 25:19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain
Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition (deisidaimonia: to fear a
demon), and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

We now find out what the trials were like. Festus heard the gospel preached by Paul. He heard
of Jesus and the resurrection. The resurrection is the point of contention with the Jews and the
point of salvation for Festus (Romans 10:9-10). “Affirmed” means Paul is dogmatic about Jesus
being alive.

Act 25:20 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go
to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.

And because I doubted (was perplexed) of such a manner of questions (the controversy), I
asked him whether (if) he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

This is a lie. Festus felt obligated to the Jews (verse 9) and tried to get Paul to Jerusalem
because of his promise to them.