In brief
Porcius Festus is the Roman governor who succeeds Felix in Judea. The Jewish leaders ask him to bring Paul to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him on the way. Festus hears the case at Caesarea and finds nothing worthy of death, yet “desiring to gain favor with the Jews” he proposes a trial in Jerusalem. Paul appeals to Caesar. Festus then lays the case before King Agrippa and, hearing Paul’s testimony, cries out: “Paul, you are crazy!” He is the hesitant judge who hears the gospel without receiving it.
What does the name Festus mean?
Festus is a Latin name, usually linked to the adjective festus, “festive” or “joyful.” Luke calls him Porcius Festus, using his Roman family name. The Bible does not explain the name; Paul addresses him as “most excellent Festus” (Acts 26:25), a title reserved for high officials.
The story of Festus
Successor to Felix in Judea
Acts 24:27Paul has been a prisoner at Caesarea for two years when Luke notes that Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Felix, wanting to please the Jews, left Paul in prison without a verdict. Festus therefore inherits a case that drags on, a prisoner whom the Jewish authorities want condemned, and an apostle who has still not been able to prove his innocence.
The ambush refused in Jerusalem
Acts 25:1-5Three days after arriving, Festus goes up to Jerusalem. The high priest and the leaders of the Jews lodge a complaint against Paul and ask him, as a favor, to summon Paul to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him on the way. Festus answers that Paul is being kept at Caesarea and that his accusers should go down with him and accuse him there. Without knowing it, he protects Paul.
The trial at Caesarea and the appeal to Caesar
Acts 25:6-12Seated on the judgment seat, Festus hears many grievous charges “which they could not prove.” Paul says he has sinned neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar. Festus, “desiring to gain favor with the Jews,” asks if he is willing to be judged in Jerusalem. Paul refuses and appeals to Caesar. After conferring with the council, Festus rules: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”
The case laid before King Agrippa
Acts 25:13-27When King Agrippa and Bernice come to greet him, Festus tells them the case. He sums up the dispute as being about “one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive,” admits he does not know what to do, and recognizes that Paul “committed nothing worthy of death.” Embarrassed to have nothing certain to write to the emperor, he asks Agrippa to hear Paul.
“Paul, you are crazy!”
Acts 26:24-32Paul tells of his conversion and declares that the Christ, risen, brings light to the people and to the Gentiles. Festus interrupts him with a loud voice: “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!” Paul answers that he speaks words of truth and reasonableness. As they withdraw, they all agree that Paul does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
What Festus teaches us
- Wanting to please people can make you back away from a right decision, as Festus did when he proposed a trial in Jerusalem.
- You can recognize the innocence of the gospel’s witnesses and never decide for Christ: do not stop halfway.
- When you are called crazy for your faith, answer like Paul with words of truth and reasonableness, without fear or anger.
- God uses even a governor’s hesitations to bring his servant to Rome: your path is in his hand.
Key verses
Paul appeals to Caesar and Festus confirms the appeal. This decision, taken by a hesitant governor, opens the road to Rome that Jesus had announced to Paul.
Festus sums up the gospel without understanding it: a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirms to be alive. He touches the heart of the Christian faith, the resurrection, without believing it.
Festus calls Paul crazy to his face; Paul calmly answers that his words are truth and reasonableness. Christian witness remains reasonable even when it is mocked.
Sermons about Festus
Frequently asked questions
Who was Festus in the Bible?
Porcius Festus is the Roman governor of Judea who succeeded Felix (Acts 24:27). He tries Paul at Caesarea, recognizes that he has done nothing worthy of death, but proposes a trial in Jerusalem to please the Jews. Paul appeals to Caesar. Festus then lays the case before King Agrippa and hears Paul’s testimony (Acts 25-26).
Why did Festus tell Paul “You are crazy”?
While Paul tells of his meeting with Jesus and proclaims Christ’s resurrection, Festus interrupts: “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!” (Acts 26:24). To this Roman, talk of a dead man coming back to life seemed unreasonable. Paul replies that he speaks words of truth and reasonableness, and turns to Agrippa.
Where is the story of Festus found in the Bible?
Festus appears only in the book of Acts: his succession to Felix in Acts 24:27, Paul’s trial at Caesarea and the appeal to Caesar in Acts 25, then the hearing before King Agrippa and his cry “Paul, you are crazy!” in Acts 26:24-32.