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Acts 1–28 available · Reviewed and cleared by the author.
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Learn about the sources and coverage →Three days after Festus took office in the province, he traveled from Caesarea up to Jerusalem.
Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cæsarea to Jerusalem.
Φῆστος οὖν ἐπιβὰς τῇ ἐπαρχίᾳ, μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἀνέβη εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἀπὸ Καισαρείας.
Phēstos oun epibas tē eparchia, meta treis hēmeras anebē eis Hierosolyma apo Kaisareias.
There the high priest and the leading Jewish men presented their case against Paul. They pressed Festus
Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
Ἐνεφάνισαν δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ ἀρχιερεὺς καὶ οἱ πρῶτοι τῶν Ἰουδαίων κατὰ τοῦ Παύλου, καὶ παρεκάλουν αὐτόν,
Enephanisan de autō ho archiereus kai hoi prōtoi tōn Ioudaiōn kata tou Paulou, kai parekaloun auton,
to do them a favor by having Paul brought to Jerusalem. Meanwhile, they were arranging an ambush to kill him along the way.
And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
αἰτούμενοι χάριν κατ’ αὐτοῦ, ὅπως μεταπέμψηται αὐτὸν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, ἐνέδραν ποιοῦντες ἀνελεῖν αὐτὸν κατὰ τὴν ὁδόν.
aitoumenoi charin kat’ autou, hopōs metapempsētai auton eis Hierousalēm, enedran poiountes anelein auton kata tēn hodon.
Festus answered that Paul was being held in Caesarea and that he himself would be returning there soon.
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
Ὁ μὲν οὖν Φῆστος ἀπεκρίθη, τηρεῖσθαι τὸν Παῦλον ἐν Καισαρείᾳ, ἑαυτὸν δὲ μέλλειν ἐν τάχει ἐκπορεύεσθαι.
Ho men oun Phēstos apekrithē, tēreisthai ton Paulon en Kaisareia, heauton de mellein en tachei ekporeuesthai.
“So let your representatives come down with me,” he said. “If this man has done something wrong, they can bring their charges against him there.”
Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
Οἱ οὖν δυνατοὶ ἐν ὑμῖν, φησίν, συγκαταβάντες, εἴ τι ἐστὶν ἐν τῷ ἀνδρὶ τούτῳ, κατηγορείτωσαν αὐτοῦ.
Hoi oun dynatoi en hymin, phēsin, synkatabantes, ei ti estin en tō andri toutō, katēgoreitōsan autou.
After spending more than ten days with them, Festus returned to Caesarea. The following day he took his place in court and ordered Paul to be brought in.
And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
Διατρίψας δὲ ἐν αὐτοῖς ἡμέρας πλείους ἢ δέκα, καταβὰς εἰς Καισάρειαν, τῇ ἐπαύριον καθίσας ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος ἐκέλευσεν τὸν Παῦλον ἀχθῆναι.
Diatripsas de en autois hēmeras pleious ē deka, katabas eis Kaisareian, tē epaurion kathisas epi tou bēmatos ekeleusen ton Paulon achthēnai.
When Paul arrived, the Jewish accusers who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him. They brought many serious charges, but they could not prove them.
And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
Παραγενομένου δὲ αὐτοῦ, περιέστησαν οἱ ἀπὸ Ἱεροσολύμων καταβεβηκότες Ἰουδαῖοι, πολλὰ καὶ βαρέα αἰτιώματα φέροντες κατὰ τοῦ Παύλου, ἃ οὐκ ἴσχυον ἀποδεῖξαι,
Paragenomenou de autou, periestēsan hoi apo Hierosolymōn katabebēkotes Ioudaioi, polla kai barea aitiōmata pherontes kata tou Paulou, ha ouk ischyon apodeixai,
Paul answered in his defense, “I have committed no offense against the Jewish law, against the temple, or against Caesar.”
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all.
ἀπολογουμένου αὐτοῦ ὅτι Οὔτε εἰς τὸν νόμον τῶν Ἰουδαίων, οὔτε εἰς τὸ ἱερόν, οὔτε εἰς Καίσαρά τι ἥμαρτον.
apologoumenou autou hoti Oute eis ton nomon tōn Ioudaiōn, oute eis to hieron, oute eis Kaisara ti hēmarton.
But Festus wanted to gain favor with the Jewish leaders. He asked Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and have me hear this case there?”
But 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?
Ὁ Φῆστος δὲ τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις θέλων χάριν καταθέσθαι, ἀποκριθεὶς τῷ Παύλῳ εἶπεν, Θέλεις εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἀναβάς, ἐκεῖ περὶ τούτων κρίνεσθαι ἐπ’ ἐμοῦ;
Ho Phēstos de tois Ioudaiois thelōn charin katathesthai, apokritheis tō Paulō eipen, Theleis eis Hierosolyma anabas, ekei peri toutōn krinesthai ep’ emou?
Paul replied, “I am standing before Caesar’s court, and this is where my case should be heard. I have done no wrong to the Jewish people, as you yourself know very well.
Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
Εἶπεν δὲ ὁ Παῦλος, Ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος Καίσαρος ἑστώς εἰμι, οὗ με δεῖ κρίνεσθαι∙ Ἰουδαίους οὐδὲν ἠδίκησα, ὡς καὶ σὺ κάλλιον ἐπιγινώσκεις.
Eipen de ho Paulos, Epi tou bēmatos Kaisaros hestōs eimi, hou me dei krinesthai; Ioudaious ouden ēdikēsa, hōs kai sy kallion epiginōskeis.
If I have broken the law and done something deserving death, I am not asking to escape it. But if their accusations are groundless, no one has the right to hand me over to them as a favor. I appeal to Caesar!”
For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar.
Εἰ μὲν γὰρ ἀδικῶ καὶ ἄξιον θανάτου πέπραχά τι, οὐ παραιτοῦμαι τὸ ἀποθανεῖν∙ εἰ δὲ οὐδέν ἐστιν ὧν οὗτοι κατηγοροῦσίν μου, οὐδείς με δύναται αὐτοῖς χαρίσασθαι. Καίσαρα ἐπικαλοῦμαι.
Ei men gar adikō kai axion thanatou pepracha ti, ou paraitoumai to apothanein; ei de ouden estin hōn houtoi katēgorousin mou, oudeis me dynatai autois charisasthai. Kaisara epikaloumai.
After consulting his advisers, Festus answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go.”
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go.
Τότε ὁ Φῆστος συλλαλήσας μετὰ τοῦ συμβουλίου ἀπεκρίθη, Καίσαρα ἐπικέκλησαι; Ἐπὶ Καίσαρα πορεύσῃ.
Tote ho Phēstos syllalēsas meta tou symbouliou apekrithē, Kaisara epikeklēsai? Epi Kaisara poreusē.
Some days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea to greet Festus.
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cæsarea to salute Festus.
Ἡμερῶν δὲ διαγενομένων τινῶν, Ἀγρίππας ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ Βερνίκη κατήντησαν εἰς Καισάρειαν, ἀσπασάμενοι τὸν Φῆστον.
Hēmerōn de diagenomenōn tinōn, Agrippas ho basileus kai Bernikē katēntēsan eis Kaisareian, aspasamenoi ton Phēston.
During their extended stay, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king. “Felix left a man here in custody,” he began.
And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
Ὡς δὲ πλείους ἡμέρας διέτριβεν ἐκεῖ, ὁ Φῆστος τῷ βασιλεῖ ἀνέθετο τὰ κατὰ τὸν Παῦλον, λέγων, Ἀνήρ τίς ἐστιν καταλελειμμένος ὑπὸ Φήλικος δέσμιος,
Hōs de pleious hēmeras dietriben ekei, ho Phēstos tō basilei anetheto ta kata ton Paulon, legōn, Anēr tis estin kataleleimmenos hypo Phēlikos desmios,
“When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and Jewish elders brought accusations against him and asked me to condemn him.
About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
περὶ οὗ, γενομένου μου εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, ἐνεφάνισαν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τῶν Ἰουδαίων, αἰτούμενοι κατ’ αὐτοῦ δίκην.
peri hou, genomenou mou eis Hierosolyma, enephanisan hoi archiereis kai hoi presbyteroi tōn Ioudaiōn, aitoumenoi kat’ autou dikēn.
I told them that Romans do not hand a person over to death as a favor. The accused must first face his accusers and have an opportunity to answer the charge.
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
Πρὸς οὓς ἀπεκρίθην, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἔθος Ῥωμαίοις χαρίζεσθαί τινα ἄνθρωπον εἰς ἀπώλειαν, πρὶν ἢ ὁ κατηγορούμενος κατὰ πρόσωπον ἔχοι τοὺς κατηγόρους, τόπον τε ἀπολογίας λάβοι περὶ τοῦ ἐγκλήματος.
Pros hous apekrithēn, hoti ouk estin ethos Rhōmaiois charizesthai tina anthrōpon eis apōleian, prin ē ho katēgoroumenos kata prosōpon echoi tous katēgorous, topon te apologias laboi peri tou enklēmatos.
So when they came here, I acted without delay. The very next day I sat in court and ordered the man brought in.
Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
Συνελθόντων οὖν αὐτῶν ἐνθάδε, ἀναβολὴν μηδεμίαν ποιησάμενος, τῇ ἑξῆς καθίσας ἐπὶ τοῦ βήματος, ἐκέλευσα ἀχθῆναι τὸν ἄνδρα∙
Synelthontōn oun autōn enthade, anabolēn mēdemian poiēsamenos, tē hexēs kathisas epi tou bēmatos, ekeleusa achthēnai ton andra;
But when his accusers stood up, they did not charge him with the crimes I had expected.
Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
περὶ οὗ σταθέντες οἱ κατήγοροι οὐδεμίαν αἰτίαν ἐπέφερον ὧν ὑπενόουν ἐγώ,
peri hou stathentes hoi katēgoroi oudemian aitian epepheron hōn hypenooun egō,
Instead, their quarrels with him concerned their own religion and a man named Jesus who had died, but whom Paul insisted was alive.
But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
ζητήματα δέ τινα περὶ τῆς ἰδίας δεισιδαιμονίας εἶχον πρὸς αὐτόν, καὶ περί τινος Ἰησοῦ τεθνηκότος, ὃν ἔφασκεν ὁ Παῦλος ζῇν.
zētēmata de tina peri tēs idias deisidaimonias eichon pros auton, kai peri tinos Iēsou tethnēkotos, hon ephasken ho Paulos zēn.
I was at a loss about how to investigate these matters, so I asked whether he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and have the case heard there.
And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
Ἀπορούμενος δὲ ἐγὼ τὴν περὶ τούτου ζήτησιν, ἔλεγον, εἰ βούλοιτο πορεύεσθαι εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, κἀκεῖ κρίνεσθαι περὶ τούτων.
Aporoumenos de egō tēn peri toutou zētēsin, elegon, ei bouloito poreuesthai eis Hierousalēm, kakei krinesthai peri toutōn.
But Paul appealed to have his case reserved for the emperor’s decision. I therefore ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cæsar.
Τοῦ δὲ Παύλου ἐπικαλεσαμένου τηρηθῆναι αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν τοῦ Σεβαστοῦ διάγνωσιν, ἐκέλευσα τηρεῖσθαι αὐτόν, ἕως οὗ πέμψω αὐτὸν πρὸς Καίσαρα.
Tou de Paulou epikalesamenou tērēthēnai auton eis tēn tou Sebastou diagnōsin, ekeleusa tēreisthai auton, heōs hou pempsō auton pros Kaisara.
Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” “Tomorrow you will,” Festus replied.
Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
Ἀγρίππας δὲ πρὸς τὸν Φῆστον ἔφη, Ἐβουλόμην καὶ αὐτὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἀκοῦσαι. Ὁ δέ, Αὔριον, φησίν, ἀκούσῃ αὐτοῦ.
Agrippas de pros ton Phēston ephē, Eboulomēn kai autos tou anthrōpou akousai. Ho de, Aurion, phēsin, akousē autou.
The next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived with great ceremony. They entered the audience hall with the military commanders and the city’s prominent men. At Festus’s command, Paul was brought in.
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.
Τῇ οὖν ἐπαύριον, ἐλθόντος τοῦ Ἀγρίππα καὶ τῆς Βερνίκης μετὰ πολλῆς φαντασίας, καὶ εἰσελθόντων εἰς τὸ ἀκροατήριον, σύν τε τοῖς χιλιάρχοις καὶ ἀνδράσιν τοῖς κατ’ ἐξοχὴν οὖσιν τῆς πόλεως, καὶ κελεύσαντος τοῦ Φήστου, ἤχθη ὁ Παῦλος.
Tē oun epaurion, elthontos tou Agrippa kai tēs Bernikēs meta pollēs phantasias, kai eiselthontōn eis to akroatērion, syn te tois chiliarchois kai andrasin tois kat’ exochēn ousin tēs poleōs, kai keleusantos tou Phēstou, ēchthē ho Paulos.
Festus said, “King Agrippa, and everyone gathered here with us, you see this man. The whole body of Jewish petitioners has appealed to me about him, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he must not be allowed to live any longer.
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.
Καί φησιν ὁ Φῆστος, Ἀγρίππα βασιλεῦ, καὶ πάντες οἱ συμπαρόντες ἡμῖν ἄνδρες, θεωρεῖτε τοῦτον περὶ οὗ πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἐνέτυχόν μοι ἔν τε Ἱεροσολύμοις καὶ ἐνθάδε, ἐπιβοῶντες μὴ δεῖν ζῇν αὐτὸν μηκέτι.
Kai phēsin ho Phēstos, Agrippa basileu, kai pantes hoi symparontes hēmin andres, theōreite touton peri hou pan to plēthos tōn Ioudaiōn enetychon moi en te Hierosolymois kai enthade, epiboōntes mē dein zēn auton mēketi.
I found that he had done nothing deserving death. But since he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to send him.
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.
Ἐγὼ δὲ καταλαβόμενος μηδὲν ἄξιον θανάτου αὐτὸν πεπραχέναι, καὶ αὐτοῦ δὲ τούτου ἐπικαλεσαμένου τὸν Σεβαστόν, ἔκρινα πέμπειν αὐτόν.
Egō de katalabomenos mēden axion thanatou auton peprachenai, kai autou de toutou epikalesamenou ton Sebaston, ekrina pempein auton.
I have nothing definite to write about him to the emperor. So I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this examination I may have something to write.
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.
Περὶ οὗ ἀσφαλές τι γράψαι τῷ κυρίῳ οὐκ ἔχω. Διὸ προήγαγον αὐτὸν ἐφ’ ὑμῶν, καὶ μάλιστα ἐπὶ σοῦ, βασιλεῦ Ἀγρίππα, ὅπως τῆς ἀνακρίσεως γενομένης σχῶ τι γράψαι.
Peri hou asphales ti grapsai tō kyriō ouk echō. Dio proēgagon auton eph’ hymōn, kai malista epi sou, basileu Agrippa, hopōs tēs anakriseōs genomenēs schō ti grapsai.
It makes no sense to send a prisoner without also specifying the charges against him.”
For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
Ἄλογον γάρ μοι δοκεῖ, πέμποντα δέσμιον, μὴ καὶ τὰς κατ’ αὐτοῦ αἰτίας σημᾶναι.
Alogon gar moi dokei, pemponta desmion, mē kai tas kat’ autou aitias sēmanai.