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Festus

Φῆστος · Phēstos · G5347Πόρκιος · Porkios · G4201“festive, joyful” Hitchcock's 186913 mentions, all in Acts

Who he was

Porcius Festus was a Roman procurator (governor) of Judea who succeeded Felix around 60 AD (Acts 24:27). He is mentioned in the book of Acts in relation to the apostle Paul's ongoing legal case. Upon taking office, Festus was confronted with the charges against Paul that had been left unresolved by Felix (Acts 25:1–2). Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem for trial, but Paul appealed to Caesar, asserting his rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 25:9–12). Festus, unsure how to handle the case, consulted with King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice, who came to Caesarea to pay their respects to the new governor (Acts 25:13–22). Paul was brought before Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice to present his defense (Acts 25:23–26:32). After hearing Paul's testimony, Festus exclaimed that Paul's great learning had driven him insane (Acts 26:24). Agrippa, however, believed that Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (Acts 26:32). Festus then sent Paul to Rome for trial, as he had requested (Acts 27:1). The account of Festus's involvement in Paul's case illustrates the complexities of the Roman legal system and the challenges faced by early Christians in navigating it.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

13 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

Acts 13 mentions

Acts 24:27But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.Acts 25:1Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.Acts 25:4However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.Acts 25:9But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be judged by me there concerning these things?”Acts 25:12Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go.”Acts 25:13Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.Acts 25:14As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;Acts 25:22Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”Acts 25:23So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and the principal men of the city, at the…Acts 25:24Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he…Acts 26:24As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!”Acts 26:25But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.Acts 26:32Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

What the dictionary says

fes'-tus, por'-shi-us Porkios Phestos): The Roman governor or procurator who succeeded Felix in the province of Judea (Ac 24:27), and was thus brought into…

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
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Sources