1Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. (Ac 23:34)2And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, (Ac 25:15)3asking as a favor against Paul[1] that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. (Ac 9:24)4Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly.5“So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”6After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. (Mt 27:19; Ac 25:10; Ac 25:17)7When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. (Ac 24:13)8Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” (Joh 7:19; Joh 19:7; Joh 19:12; Ac 6:13; Ac 24:12; Ac 28:17)9But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” (Ac 24:27)10But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. (Ac 25:6; Ac 25:17)11If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” (Ac 26:32; Ac 28:19)12Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice
13Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.14And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, (Ac 24:27)15and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. (Ac 25:2)16I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. (Joh 7:51; Ac 23:30; Ac 25:4)17So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. (Ac 25:6; Ac 25:7; Ac 25:10; Ac 25:24)18When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed.19Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. (Ac 17:18; Ac 18:15; Ac 23:29)20Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. (Ac 25:9)21But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” (Ac 25:11; Ac 25:25)22Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.” (Ac 9:15)23So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. (Ac 25:13; Ac 26:30)24And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. (Ac 22:22; Ac 25:2; Ac 25:7)25But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. (Ac 23:29; Ac 25:11; Ac 25:21)26But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.27For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”
1Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem,2where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul.3They requested Festus, as a favour to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.4Festus answered, ‘Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.5Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.’6After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him.7When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood round him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.8Then Paul made his defence: ‘I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.’9Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favour, said to Paul, ‘Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?’10Paul answered: ‘I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.11If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no-one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!’12After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: ‘You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!’
Festus consults King Agrippa
13A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.14Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: ‘There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.15When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.16‘I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.17When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.18When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.19Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus whom Paul claimed was alive.20I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.21But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.’22Then Agrippa said to Festus, ‘I would like to hear this man myself.’ He replied, ‘Tomorrow you will hear him.’
Paul before Agrippa
23The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.24Festus said: ‘King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.25I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome.26But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write.27For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.’
1Three days after Festus arrived, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.2There the chief priests and the Jewish leaders came to Festus. They brought their charges against Paul.3They tried very hard to get Festus to have Paul taken to Jerusalem. They asked for this as a favour. They were planning to hide and attack Paul along the way. They wanted to kill him.4Festus answered, ‘Paul is being held at Caesarea. Soon I’ll be going there myself.5Let some of your leaders come with me. If the man has done anything wrong, they can bring charges against him there.’6Festus spent eight or ten days in Jerusalem with them. Then he went down to Caesarea. The next day he called the court together. He ordered Paul to be brought to him.7When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many strong charges against him. But they couldn’t prove that these charges were true.8Then Paul spoke up for himself. He said, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple. I’ve done nothing wrong against Caesar.’9But Festus wanted to do the Jews a favour. So he said to Paul, ‘Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem? Are you willing to go on trial there? Are you willing to face these charges in my court?’10Paul answered, ‘I’m already standing in Caesar’s court. This is where I should go on trial. I haven’t done anything wrong to the Jews. You yourself know that very well.11If I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I’m willing to die. But the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true. No one has the right to hand me over to them. I make my appeal to Caesar!’12Festus talked it over with the members of his court. Then he said, ‘You have made an appeal to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!’
Festus talks with King Agrippa
13A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea. They came to pay a visit to Festus.14They were spending many days there. So Festus talked with the king about Paul’s case. He said, ‘There’s a man here that Felix left as a prisoner.15When I went to Jerusalem, the Jewish chief priests and the elders brought charges against the man. They wanted him to be found guilty.16‘I told them that this is not the way Romans do things. We don’t judge people before they have faced those bringing charges against them. They must have a chance to argue against the charges for themselves.17When the Jewish leaders came back with me, I didn’t waste any time. I called the court together the next day. I ordered the man to be brought in.18Those bringing charges against him got up to speak. But they didn’t charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.19Instead, they argued with him about their own beliefs. They didn’t agree about a man named Jesus. They said Jesus was dead, but Paul claimed Jesus was alive.20I had no idea how to look into such matters. So I asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem. There he could be tried on these charges.21But Paul made an appeal to have the Emperor decide his case. So I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.’22Then Agrippa said to Festus, ‘I would like to hear this man myself.’ Festus replied, ‘Tomorrow you will hear him.’
Paul in front of Agrippa
23The next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived. They were treated like very important people. They entered the courtroom. The most important military officers and the leading men of the city came with them. When Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in.24Festus said, ‘King Agrippa, and everyone else here, take a good look at this man! A large number of Jews have come to me about him. They came to me in Jerusalem and also here in Caesarea. They keep shouting that he shouldn’t live any longer.25I have found that he hasn’t done anything worthy of death. But he made his appeal to the Emperor. So I decided to send him to Rome.26I don’t have anything certain to write about him to His Majesty. So I have brought him here today. Now all of you will be able to hear him. King Agrippa, it will also be very good for you to hear him. As a result of this hearing, I will have something to write.27It doesn’t make sense to send a prisoner on to Rome without listing the charges against him.’
Acts 25
King James Version
1Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.2Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,3And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.4But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.5Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.6And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.7And 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.8While 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.9But 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?10Then said Paul, I 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.11For 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 Caesar.12Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.13And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.14And 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:15About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.16To 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.17Therefore, 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.18Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:19But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.20And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.21But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.22Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.23And 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.24And 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.25But 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.26Of 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.27For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
Acts 25
Einheitsübersetzung 2016
from Katholisches Bibelwerk1Als Festus in der Provinz eingetroffen war, zog er drei Tage später von Cäsarea nach Jerusalem hinauf.2Da erstatteten die Hohepriester und die Vornehmsten der Juden bei ihm Anzeige gegen Paulus. Sie ersuchten ihn, gegen Paulus vorzugehen,3und baten ihn um den Gefallen, Paulus nach Jerusalem bringen zu lassen. Sie wollten ihn nämlich unterwegs aus einem Hinterhalt heraus ermorden. (Ac 23:15)4Festus jedoch antwortete, Paulus bleibe in Cäsarea in Haft und er selbst wolle in Kürze abreisen.5Die unter euch, die dafür zuständig sind, sagte er, können mit hinabkommen, und wenn gegen den Mann etwas vorliegt, sollen sie gegen ihn Anklage erheben.6Er hielt sich nicht länger als acht oder zehn Tage bei ihnen auf, dann reiste er nach Cäsarea hinab. Am folgenden Tag setzte er sich auf den Richterstuhl und ließ Paulus vorführen.7Als dieser erschien, umringten ihn die Juden, die von Jerusalem herabgekommen waren, und brachten viele schwere Beschuldigungen vor, konnten sie aber nicht beweisen.8Paulus verteidigte sich: Ich habe mich weder gegen das Gesetz der Juden noch gegen den Tempel noch gegen den Kaiser vergangen.9Festus jedoch wollte den Juden einen Gefallen erweisen und antwortete dem Paulus: Willst du nach Jerusalem hinaufgehen und dich dort vor mir wegen dieser Dinge richten lassen? (Ac 24:27)10Paulus sagte: Ich stehe vor dem Richterstuhl des Kaisers und da muss ich gerichtet werden. Den Juden habe ich kein Unrecht getan, wie auch du sehr wohl weißt.11Wenn ich wirklich schuldig bin und etwas getan habe, was des Todes würdig wäre, weigere ich mich nicht zu sterben. Wenn aber ihre Anklage gegen mich unbegründet ist, kann mich niemand ihnen ausliefern. Ich lege Berufung beim Kaiser ein!12Da besprach sich Festus mit seinen Ratgebern und antwortete: An den Kaiser hast du appelliert; zum Kaiser sollst du gehen.
Die Rede des Paulus vor König Agrippa
13Einige Tage später trafen König Agrippa und Berenike in Cäsarea ein, um Festus ihre Aufwartung zu machen.[1]14Sie blieben mehrere Tage dort. Da trug Festus dem König den Fall des Paulus vor und sagte: Von Felix ist ein Mann als Gefangener zurückgelassen worden,15gegen den die Hohepriester und die Ältesten der Juden, als ich in Jerusalem war, vorstellig wurden. Sie forderten seine Verurteilung,16ich aber erwiderte ihnen, es sei bei den Römern nicht üblich, einen Menschen auszuliefern, bevor nicht der Angeklagte den Anklägern gegenübergestellt sei und Gelegenheit erhalten habe, sich gegen die Anschuldigungen zu verteidigen.17Als sie dann zusammen hierherkamen, setzte ich mich ohne jeden Verzug tags darauf auf den Richterstuhl und ließ den Mann vorführen.18Bei der Gegenüberstellung brachten die Kläger keine Anklage wegen solcher Verbrechen vor, die ich vermutet hatte;19sie führten nur einige Streitfragen gegen ihn ins Feld, die ihre Religion und einen gewissen Jesus betreffen, der gestorben ist, von dem Paulus aber behauptet, er lebe. (Ac 18:15)20Da ich mich auf die Untersuchung dieser Dinge nicht verstand, fragte ich, ob er nach Jerusalem gehen wolle, um sich dort deswegen richten zu lassen.21Paulus jedoch legte Berufung ein; er wollte bis zur Entscheidung des Kaisers in Schutzhaft bleiben. Daher gab ich Befehl, ihn in Gewahrsam zu halten, bis ich ihn zum Kaiser schicken kann.22Da sagte Agrippa zu Festus: Ich würde diesen Menschen auch gern selbst hören. Morgen, antwortete er, sollst du ihn hören.23So kamen am folgenden Tag Agrippa und Berenike mit großem Gepränge und betraten die Audienzhalle, zusammen mit den Obersten und den vornehmsten Männern der Stadt. Auf Befehl des Festus wurde Paulus vorgeführt24und Festus sagte: König Agrippa und all ihr Männer, die ihr hier bei uns seid! Da seht ihr den Mann, dessentwegen mich die Menge der Juden in Jerusalem und auch hier bestürmt hat mit ihrem Geschrei, er dürfe nicht länger am Leben bleiben.25Ich aber konnte nicht feststellen, dass er etwas begangen hat, was des Todes würdig ist. Da er jedoch selbst an die kaiserliche Majestät appelliert hat, habe ich beschlossen, ihn dorthin zu schicken.26Etwas Genaues über ihn weiß ich meinem Herrn allerdings nicht zu schreiben. Darum habe ich ihn euch und vor allem dir, König Agrippa, vorführen lassen, um nach dem Verhör zu wissen, was ich schreiben kann.27Denn es scheint mir unsinnig, einen Gefangenen zu schicken, ohne anzugeben, was man ihm vorwirft.