📖 Acts — Chapter 25 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Acts 25:1 Now when Festus was come Rinto the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
Acts 25:2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
Acts 25:3 And Rdesired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
Acts 25:4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
Acts 25:5 Let Rthem therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
Acts 25:6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day Rsitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
Acts 25:7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, Rand laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
Acts 25:8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
Acts 25:9 But Festus, Rwilling 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?
Acts 25:10 Then said Paul, RI stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
Acts 25:11 For Rif 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 Caesar.
Acts 25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
Acts 25:13 And after certain days Rking Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
Acts 25:14 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:
Acts 25:15 About whom, Rwhen I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
Acts 25:16 To whom I answered, RIt 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.
Acts 25:17 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.
Acts 25:18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
Acts 25:19 But had Rcertain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Acts 25:20 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.
Acts 25:21 But when Paul Rhad appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
Acts 25:22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
Acts 25:23 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.
Acts 25:24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, Rabout 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.
Acts 25:25 But when I found that he had Rcommitted nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
Acts 25:26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and Rspecially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
Acts 25:27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 25:1–12 — A renewed accusation leads to Paul’s appeal
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Newly arrived Festus receives requests that conceal a plot, then hears charges at Caesarea that cannot be proved. Paul denies wrongdoing and appeals to Caesar when a Jerusalem transfer is proposed.
Key Truth: Do not let political convenience displace fair judgment.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Now when ____ was come into the province, after three days he ascended …” (Acts 25:1)
Find it in Acts 25:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And when he was ____ , the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round …” (Acts 25:7)
Find it in Acts 25:7 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed …” (Acts 25:2)
Find it in Acts 25:2 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 25:13–22 — Festus explains the unresolved case to Agrippa
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Agrippa and Bernice visit, and Festus recounts the procedure and his difficulty with the religious dispute concerning Jesus whom Paul affirms alive. Agrippa asks to hear Paul himself.
Key Truth: Hear the actual claim before treating disagreement as settled wrongdoing.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And after ____ days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute …” (Acts 25:13)
Find it in Acts 25:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Against ____ when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of …” (Acts 25:18)
Find it in Acts 25:18 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man …” (Acts 25:22)
Find it in Acts 25:22 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Acts 25:23–27 — The public hearing exposes the need for a real charge
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Paul is brought before the assembled officials and guests. Festus explains that he finds no crime deserving death but must send a statement with the appeal, and considers it unreasonable to send a prisoner without charges.
Key Truth: Require an accountable statement rather than allowing vague accusation to carry judgment.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ ____ Paul was brought forth.” (Acts 25:23)
Find it in Acts 25:23 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of ____ , and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I …” (Acts 25:25)
Find it in Acts 25:25 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “For it ____ to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal …” (Acts 25:27)
Find it in Acts 25:27 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 18:17 — The proverb’s caution about the first presented case connects with the need for examination.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where does fairness require clearer evidence before a decision?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Acts 25:1–12 (A renewed accusation leads to Paul’s appeal) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Acts 25:13–22 (Festus explains the unresolved case to Agrippa) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Acts 25:23–27 (The public hearing exposes the need for a real charge) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What distinction accompanies Paul's appeal to Caesar?
5. What difficulty does Festus acknowledge concerning the prisoner?
Notes
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