Acts 25:13-27 - Festus Asks King Agrippa For Advice
13 Some days later King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea, and paid a visit of congratulation to Festus; 14 And, as they were staying there for several days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King. "There is a man here," he said, "left a prisoner by Felix, 15 About whom, when I came to Jerusalem, the Jewish Chief Priest and the Councillors laid an information, demanding judgment against him. 16 My answer to them was, that it was not the practice of Romans to give up any man to his accusers till the accused had met them face to face, and had also had an opportunity of answering the charges brought against him. 17 So they met here, and without loss of time I took my seat on the Bench the very next day, and ordered the man to be brought before me. 18 But, when his accusers came forward, they brought no charge of wrong-doing such as I had expected; 19 But I found that there were certain questions in dispute between them about their own religion, and about some dead man called Jesus, whom Paul declared to be alive. 20 And, as I was at a loss how to enquire into questions of this kind, I asked Paul if he were willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there be put upon his trial. 21 Paul, however, appealed to have his case reserved for the consideration of his August Majesty, so I ordered him to be detained in custody, until I could send him to the Emperor."
22 "I should like to hear this man myself," Agrippa said to Festus. "You shall hear him to-morrow," Festus answered.
23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come in full state and had entered the Audience Chamber, with the superior officers and the principal people of the city, by the order of Festus Paul was brought before them. 24 Then Festus said: "King Agrippa, and all here present, you see before you the man about whom the whole Jewish people have applied to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly asserting that he ought not to be allowed to live. 25 I found, however, that he had not done anything deserving death; so, as he had himself appealed to his August Majesty, I decided to send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write about him to my Imperial Master; and for that reason I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examining him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me absurd to send a prisoner, without at the same time stating the charges made against him."