New International VersionFestus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”
New Living TranslationThen Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?”
English Standard VersionBut Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?”
Berean Standard BibleBut Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”
Berean Literal BibleBut Festus, wishing to lay a favor on the Jews, answering, said to Paul, "Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged before me there concerning these things?"
King James BibleBut Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
New King James VersionBut Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”
New American Standard BibleBut Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?”
NASB 1995But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?”
NASB 1977But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?”
Legacy Standard BibleBut Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and to be tried before me on these matters?”
Amplified BibleBut Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial there in my presence [before the Jewish Sanhedrin] on these charges?”
Christian Standard BibleBut Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me there on these charges? ”
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen Festus, wanting to do a favor for the Jews, replied to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, there to be tried before me on these charges?”
American Standard VersionBut Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
Contemporary English VersionFestus wanted to please the leaders. So he asked Paul, "Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried by me on these charges?"
English Revised VersionBut Festus, desiring to gain favour with the Jews, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
GOD'S WORD® TranslationBut Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor. So he asked Paul, "Are you willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried there on these charges with me as your judge?"
Good News TranslationBut Festus wanted to gain favor with the Jews, so he asked Paul, "Would you be willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried on these charges before me there?"
International Standard VersionThen Festus, wanting to do the Jewish leaders a favor, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried there before me on these charges?"
NET BibleBut Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be tried before me there on these charges?"
New Heart English BibleBut Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?"
Webster's Bible TranslationBut Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these things before me?
Weymouth New TestamentThen Festus, being anxious to gratify the Jews, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there stand your trial before me on these charges?" Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”
World English BibleBut Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be judged by me there concerning these things?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Festus willing to lay on the Jews a favor, answering Paul, said, “Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged before me there concerning these things?”
Berean Literal BibleBut Festus, wishing to lay a favor on the Jews, answering, said to Paul, "Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged before me there concerning these things?"
Young's Literal Translation And Festus willing to lay on the Jews a favour, answering Paul, said, 'Art thou willing, to Jerusalem having gone up, there concerning these things to be judged before me?'
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Festus, wishing to render a favor to the Jews, having answered Paul, said, Wilt thou, having gone up to Jerusalem, there be judged by me of these things? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut Festus, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, answering Paul, said: Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
Catholic Public Domain VersionBut Festus, wanting to show greater favor to the Jews, responded to Paul by saying: “Are you willing to ascend to Jerusalem and to be judged there about these things before me?”
New American BibleThen Festus, wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, said to Paul in reply, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there stand trial before me on these charges?”
New Revised Standard VersionBut Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be tried there before me on these charges?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut Festus, because he was willing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, Would you be willing to go to Jerusalem and there be tried of these things before me?
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishFestus, because he wanted to confer a favor on the Jews, said to Paulus, “Will you go up to Jerusalem and be judged there of these things before me?” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut Festus, willing to confer a favor on the Jews, answered Paul, and said: Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged before me concerning these things?
Godbey New TestamentAnd Festus, wishing to confer a gratification on the Jews, responding to Paul, said, Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, there to be judged by me concerning these things?
Haweis New TestamentThen Festus, desirous of ingratiating himself with the Jews, replying to Paul, said, Wilt thou go up unto Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
Mace New Testament
but Festus willing to oblige the Jews ask'd him, will you consent to go to Jerusalem, and take your trial before me there?
Weymouth New Testament
Then Festus, being anxious to gratify the Jews, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there stand your trial before me on these charges?"
Worrell New Testament
But Festus, wishing to gain favor with the Jews, answering, said to Paul, "Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged there concerning these things before me?"
Worsley New Testament
But Festus, being desirous to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Art thou willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there to be tried concerning these things before me?
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Paul's Trial Before Festus… 8Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” 9ButFestus,wishingto do the Jews a favor,saidto Paul,“Are you willingto go uptoJerusalemto stand trialbeforemeonthese charges?”10Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.…
Cross References Acts 23:11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”
Acts 24:27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Acts 26:32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Acts 28:19But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation.
Luke 23:4-7Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” / But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people all over Judea with His teaching. He began in Galilee and has come all the way here.” / When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. ...
John 18:28-31Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover. / So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?” / “If He were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed Him over to you.” ...
Matthew 27:24When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”
Mark 15:15And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.
John 19:12-16From then on, Pilate tried to release Him, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who declares himself a king is defying Caesar.” / When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat on the judgment seat at a place called the Stone Pavement, which in Hebrew is Gabbatha. / It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!” ...
Acts 18:12-16While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat. / “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said. / But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint. ...
Acts 22:30The next day the commander, wanting to learn the real reason Paul was accused by the Jews, released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.
Acts 24:22-23Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.” / He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
Acts 26:30-32Then the king and the governor rose, along with Bernice and those seated with them. / On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” / And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Acts 19:38-39So if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are available. Let them bring charges against one another there. / But if you are seeking anything beyond this, it must be settled in a legal assembly.
Acts 21:31-33While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. / Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. / The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
Treasury of Scripture But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? willing. Acts 25:3,20 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him… Acts 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. Jump to Previous AcquireAnxiousApprovalChargesConnectionDesiringDesirousFavorFavourFestusGainGratifyJerusalemJewsJudgedLayObligingPaulPleasureStandTrialWillingWiltWishingJump to Next AcquireAnxiousApprovalChargesConnectionDesiringDesirousFavorFavourFestusGainGratifyJerusalemJewsJudgedLayObligingPaulPleasureStandTrialWillingWiltWishingActs 25 1.The Jews accuse Paul before Festus.8.He answers for himself,11.and appeals unto Caesar.14.Afterwards Festus opens his matter to king Agrippa;23.and he is brought forth.25.Festus clears him of having done anything worthy of death.But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favorFestus had recently succeeded Felix as the Roman governor of Judea. As a new governor, he was keen to establish good relations with the Jewish leaders, who held significant influence in the region. This political maneuvering is reminiscent of Pilate's actions during Jesus' trial, where Roman authorities sought to appease Jewish leaders to maintain peace. The desire to please the Jews reflects the ongoing tension between Roman rule and Jewish autonomy, a theme prevalent throughout the New Testament. said to Paul
Paul, a Roman citizen and a former Pharisee, was well-versed in both Jewish law and Roman legal proceedings. His dual identity often placed him at the center of conflict between Jewish authorities and Roman governance. Paul's legal acumen and his Roman citizenship provided him with certain protections, which he strategically used to further his mission of spreading the Gospel. “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem
Jerusalem was the religious and cultural heart of Judaism, and the suggestion to move the trial there was significant. It was the site of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, which had previously sought to condemn Paul. The phrase "go up" is geographically accurate, as Jerusalem is situated on a higher elevation. This proposal was fraught with danger for Paul, as it would place him in the hands of those who had already plotted against him. to stand trial before me on these charges?”
Festus's offer to oversee the trial in Jerusalem was an attempt to maintain Roman oversight while placating Jewish leaders. The charges against Paul were primarily religious, concerning his teachings about Jesus Christ and the resurrection, which the Jewish authorities viewed as blasphemous. This situation mirrors the trials of Jesus, where religious accusations were brought before a Roman official. Paul's steadfastness in the face of such trials exemplifies his commitment to his mission and his faith in God's providence. Persons / Places / Events 1. FestusThe Roman governor of Judea who succeeded Felix. He is depicted as a political figure trying to maintain peace and favor with the Jewish leaders. 2. PaulThe Apostle who is on trial for charges brought against him by the Jewish leaders. He is a Roman citizen and a key figure in spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. 3. JerusalemThe city where the Jewish leaders wanted Paul to be tried, likely with the intention of ambushing him. 4. The JewsReferring to the Jewish leaders who were accusing Paul and seeking to have him tried in Jerusalem. 5. TrialThe legal proceedings against Paul, which were influenced by political and religious tensions. Teaching Points Political Pressure and IntegrityFestus' desire to please the Jews shows the pressure leaders face to compromise integrity for political gain. Christians are called to uphold truth and justice, even when it is unpopular. Divine ProvidenceDespite human schemes, God’s plan prevails. Paul’s journey to Rome was part of God’s purpose for spreading the Gospel. Trust in God’s sovereignty in our circumstances. Courage in AdversityPaul’s willingness to face trial, even in hostile environments, exemplifies courage and faith. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their convictions. Wisdom in Decision-MakingPaul’s response to Festus’ question reflects discernment. Christians should seek God’s wisdom in making decisions, especially when facing trials. The Role of CitizenshipPaul’s Roman citizenship played a crucial role in his legal defense. Believers can use their rights and privileges to further God’s kingdom. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Acts 25:9?
2.How does Acts 25:9 illustrate human motives conflicting with God's justice?
3.What can we learn about leadership from Festus' actions in Acts 25:9?
4.How does Acts 25:9 connect to Proverbs 29:25 about fearing man over God?
5.How should Christians respond when pressured to compromise their beliefs, as Festus did?
6.What steps can we take to prioritize God's will over human approval?
7.Why did Festus want to do the Jews a favor in Acts 25:9?
8.How does Acts 25:9 reflect political influence on justice?
9.What does Acts 25:9 reveal about Roman governance?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 25?
11.How can Paul’s prohibition of lawsuits among believers (1 Corinthians 6:1–8) align with modern justice systems that rely on secular courts?
12.Why do the charges against Paul in Acts 25:7 remain vague, and how does this ambiguity align or conflict with other New Testament accounts of similar trials?
13.Why does Festus, mentioned in Acts 25:9-11, appear to rely so heavily on the Jewish leaders' accusations instead of conducting a thorough investigation himself?
14.Could the dialog between Paul, Festus, and Agrippa in Acts 25:23-27 be a later literary construction designed to enhance Paul's standing, rather than a factual historical record?What Does Acts 25:9 Mean But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor• Festus is a new Roman governor, keen to start well with the influential Jewish leadership (Acts 24:27). • Like Felix before him and Herod inActs 12:3, he chooses popularity over principle. • Scripture repeatedly warns that fear of man brings a snare (Proverbs 29:25) and shows how political expediency can eclipse justice (John 19:12). • The literal narrative reminds us that God’s Word accurately portrays both righteous motives and corrupt ones so believers can discern the difference.
Said to Paul• Festus speaks directly, projecting fairness, yet his hidden agenda is already stated. • Paul, though a prisoner, is addressed with respect because of his Roman citizenship (Acts 22:25–29). • The conversation highlights how God places His servants before rulers to testify of the gospel, fulfilling Jesus’ promise inActs 9:15. • We see again that human authorities may be double-minded, but the Lord is steering events toward His purpose (Proverbs 21:1).
Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem• The trip sounds reasonable, yet Festus knows a lethal ambush still exists there (Acts 23:12–15). • Paul also knows Jerusalem is death-trap territory; Christ had already told him he would testify in Rome (Acts 23:11). • The question tests Paul’s discernment—will he yield to pressure or cling to God’s prior word? • Believers today face similar invitations that appear harmless but actually tug us away from God’s clear leading.
To stand trial before me on these charges?• Festus offers to preside himself, implying continued Roman oversight, but the courtroom would sit inside a volatile city. • The “charges” (Acts 25:7–8) have already proven baseless; moving the venue would only empower Paul’s enemies. • God’s law forbids twisting justice (Exodus 23:6–8), and Paul refuses to enable it. His forthcoming appeal to Caesar (Acts 25:10–12) models using lawful means to advance God’s mission. • The moment exposes the emptiness of legal posturing without truth, contrasting with the unshakable justice of Christ’s kingdom (Isaiah 9:7).
summaryActs 25:9 reveals a governor torn between political convenience and judicial integrity. Festus masks people-pleasing as fairness, inviting Paul into a deadly trap under the guise of a “proper” trial. Paul’s awareness, rooted in prior divine guidance and his rights as a Roman, keeps him from surrendering. The verse reminds believers to recognize hidden motives, hold to God’s revealed will, and trust that even flawed authorities serve the Lord’s ultimate plan. (9) Willing to do the Jews a pleasure.--See Note on Acts 24:27. The invitation was in itself plausible enough. It practically admitted that there was no evidence on the last head of the accusation of which he, as procurator, need take cognizance. It offered the prisoner a trial before his own national tribunal, with the presence of the procurator as a check upon violence and injustice. It is manifest from St. Paul's answer that this was practically what Festus meant. The proposed trial would, he says, not be before Caesar's judgment seat, and he, for his part, preferred the secular to the ecclesiastical tribunal. Verse 9.- Desiring to gain favor with the Jews for willing to do the Jews a pleasure, A.V. To gain favor, etc. (see above, Acts 24:27, note). It was not unnatural that Festus, ignorant as he still was of Jewish malice and bigotry and violence, in the case of Paul, and anxious to conciliate a people so difficult to govern as the Jews had showed themselves to be, should make the proposal. In doing so he still insisted that the trial should be before him. Before me; ἐπἐμοῦ, as Acts 23:30 and Acts 26:2; ἐπὶ σοῦ "before thee," viz. King Agrippa in the last case, and Felix in the former. The expression is somewhat ambiguous, and may merely mean that Festus would be present in the court to ensure fair play, while the Sanhedrim judged Paul according to their Law, and so Paul seems, by his answer, to have understood it.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.Festus,Φῆστος(Phēstos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5347:Festus. Of Latin derivation; festal; Phestus, a Roman.wantingθέλων(thelōn)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2309:To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.to do the Jews a favor,καταθέσθαι(katathesthai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 2698:From kata and tithemi; to place down, i.e. Deposit.saidεἶπεν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.to Paul,Παύλῳ(Paulō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972:Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.“Are you willingΘέλεις(Theleis)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2309:To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.to go upἀναβὰς(anabas)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 305:To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.toεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.JerusalemἹεροσόλυμα(Hierosolyma)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2414:The Greek form of the Hebrew name: Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Hierosolymato stand trialκριθῆναι(krithēnai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 2919:Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.beforeἐπ’(ep’)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.meἐμοῦ(emou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.onπερὶ(peri)Preposition
Strong's 4012:From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.these [charges]?”τούτων(toutōn)Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778:This; he, she, it.
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NT Apostles: Acts 25:9 But Festus desiring to gain favor (Acts of the Apostles Ac) |
