Thoughts on the book of Acts (183) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
Acts 25:22-27

Thoughts on the book of Acts (183)
Herod Agrippa II showed an interest in questions of faith. It was his right from 48 to 65 A.D. to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He also possibly remembered the callous way his forefathers had treated Jesus and His followers. At any rate, Agrippa wished to meet the apostle personally.
The governor was compelled to send to Rome together with Paul a report of the procedure of the case hitherto. The Roman military tribune's letter and the minutes of the proceedings before Felix may have assisted him. But Festus himself was responsible for the formulation of the summary. So he set high hopes on the imminent "unofficial" examination in King Agrippa's presence. It should help him to assess and evaluate accurately the vague accusations the Jews made against Paul.
(to be continued next Sunday)
Today's reading: Proverbs 10:1-6