Acts 25:1-12 - Paul Appeals To Caesar

¹ WHEN Festus then was come into the province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. ² And the high-priest and the principal persons among the Jews informed him against Paul, and entreated him, ³ begging it as a favour from him, that he would send him back to Jerusalem, lying in wait for him to kill him on the road. ⁴ Then Festus answered, that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was going thither shortly. ⁵ Let therefore, said he, those among you who are able, go down with me, and accuse him, if there be anything criminal in this man.

⁶ And after staying with them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and on the morrow seated on the bench, commanded Paul to be brought. ⁷ And on his appearing, the Jews who came down from Jerusalem surrounded him, and laid many and heavy accusations against Paul, which they were not able to prove. ⁸ But he pleaded in his defence, That neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I committed the least offence.

⁹ Then Festus, desirous of ingratiating himself with the Jews, replying to Paul, said, Wilt thou go up unto Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

¹⁰ Then said Paul, I am standing before the tribunal of Caesar, where I have a right to be judged: against the Jews I have committed no offence, as thou also clearly perceivest. ¹¹ For indeed if I have committed any crime, or done aught worthy of death, I object not to be put to death: but if there is nothing in those things whereof they accuse me, no man dare gratify them by abandoning me to them.

¹² I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, after conferring with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed to Caesar? to Caesar shalt thou go.