Acts 25:4

THE MESSAGE

Festus answered that Caesarea was the proper jurisdiction for Paul, and that he himself was going back there in a few days. "You're perfectly welcome," he said, "to go back with me then and accuse him of whatever you think he's done wrong."

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Festus, however, answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to go there shortly.

King James Version (1611)
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that hee himselfe would depart shortly thither.

King James Version
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

English Standard Version
Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly.

New American Standard Bible
Festus then answered that Paul was being kept in custody in Caesarea, and that he himself was about to leave shortly.

New Century Version
But Festus answered that Paul would be kept in Caesarea and that he himself was returning there soon.

Amplified Bible
Festus answered that Paul was being held in custody in Caesarea [Maritima] and that he himself was about to leave shortly.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Festus then answered that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself was about to leave shortly.

Legacy Standard Bible
Festus then answered that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself was about to leave shortly.

Berean Standard Bible
But Festus replied, "Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.

Contemporary English Version
But Festus told them, "Paul will be kept in Caesarea, and I am soon going there myself.

Complete Jewish Bible
Festus replied that Sha'ul was being kept under guard in Caesarea, and that he was about to go there shortly himself.

Darby Translation
Festus therefore answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to set out shortly.

Easy-to-Read Version
But Festus answered, "No, Paul will be kept in Caesarea. I will be going there soon myself,

Geneva Bible (1587)
But Festus answered, that Paul should bee kept at C?sarea, and that he himselfe would shortly depart thither.

George Lamsa Translation
But Fes''tus answered that Paul should be kept at Cs-a-re''a, and that he himself was shortly going there.

Good News Translation
Festus answered, "Paul is being kept a prisoner in Caesarea, and I myself will be going back there soon.

Lexham English Bible
Then Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and he himself was about to go there in a short time.

Literal Translation
Then indeed Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, he himself even being about to go shortly.

American Standard Version
Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly.

Bible in Basic English
But Festus, in answer, said that Paul was being kept in prison at Caesarea, and that in a short time he himself was going there.

Hebrew Names Version
However Festus answered that Sha'ul was kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.

International Standard Version
Festus replied that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself would be going there soon.

Etheridge Translation
And Festos returned the word, That Paulos was kept in Cesarea, and I am hastening to proceed;

Murdock Translation
But Festus made answer: Paul is in custody at Caesarea, whither I am in haste to go.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
But Festus aunswered, that Paul shoulde be kept at Cesarea, and that he himselfe woulde shortly depart thither.

English Revised Version
Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly.

World English Bible
However Festus answered that Paul was kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But Festus answered, That Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart thither shortly.

Weymouth's New Testament
Festus, however, replied that Paul was in custody in Caesarea, and that he was himself going there very soon.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But Festus answerde, that Poul schulde be kept in Cesarie; sotheli that he hym silf schulde procede more auisili. Therfor he seide, Thei that in you ben myyti,

Update Bible Version
Nevertheless Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart [there] shortly.

Webster's Bible Translation
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly [thither].

New English Translation
Then Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and he himself intended to go there shortly.

New King James Version
But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly.

New Living Translation
But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon.

New Life Bible
Festus told them that Paul was to be kept in Caesarea and that he would be going there soon.

New Revised Standard
Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Festus, therefore, answered, that Paul should be kept in Caesarea, and that, he himself, was about, shortly, to be going out thither .

Douay-Rheims Bible
But Festus answered: That Paul was kept in Caesarea: and that he himself would very shortly depart thither.

Revised Standard Version
Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesare'a, and that he himself intended to go there shortly.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Festus answered that Paul shuld be kept at Cesarea: but that he him selfe wold shortly departe thither.

Young's Literal Translation
Then, indeed, Festus answered that Paul is kept in Caesarea, and himself is about speedily to go on thither,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then answered Festus, that Paul shulde be kepte at Cesarea, but that he himselfe wolde shortly go thither agayne.

Mace New Testament (1729)
Festus answer'd, that Paul was in custody at Cesarea, where he design'd to be himself e'er long:

Simplified Cowboy Version
But Festus said, "Paul is in Caesarea. That's where I'm heading.

Contextual Overview

¹Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take up his duties as governor, he went up to Jerusalem. The high priests and top leaders renewed their vendetta against Paul. They asked Festus if he wouldn't please do them a favor by sending Paul to Jerusalem to respond to their charges. A lie, of course—they had revived their old plot to set an ambush and kill him along the way. ⁴Festus answered that Caesarea was the proper jurisdiction for Paul, and that he himself was going back there in a few days. "You're perfectly welcome," he said, "to go back with me then and accuse him of whatever you think he's done wrong." ⁶About eight or ten days later, Festus returned to Caesarea. The next morning he took his place in the courtroom and had Paul brought in. The minute he walked in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem were all over him, hurling the most extreme accusations, none of which they could prove. ⁸ Then Paul took the stand and said simply, "I've done nothing wrong against the Jewish religion, or the Temple, or Caesar. Period." ⁹ Festus, though, wanted to get on the good side of the Jews and so said, "How would you like to go up to Jerusalem, and let me conduct your trial there?" ¹⁰Paul answered, "I'm standing at this moment before Caesar's bar of justice, where I have a perfect right to stand. And I'm going to keep standing here. I've done nothing wrong to the Jews, and you know it as well as I do. If I've committed a crime and deserve death, name the day. I can face it. But if there's nothing to their accusations—and you know there isn't—nobody can force me to go along with their nonsense. We've fooled around here long enough. I appeal to Caesar." ¹² Festus huddled with his advisors briefly and then gave his verdict: "You've appealed to Caesar; you'll go to Caesar!"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 26:24 - that Acts 8:40 - Caesarea Acts 25:16 - It is not 2 Timothy 3:11 - but

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea,.... Or that he was kept there, and was in proper custody, under the care of a centurion, and should continue there; nor was there any reason why he should be removed, especially since he should return thither speedily, as he adds:

and that he himself would depart shortly thither; the answer was a very wise and prudent one, and the reasons given were just and strong; as that Paul had been sent to Caesarea, was left bound by his predecessor there; there he found him, and there he was under a proper guard, and there it was right for him to continue; and besides, he himself should make no stay in Jerusalem, but should depart for Caesarea in a few days, and therefore it was very improper to send for Paul thither.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But Festus answered ... - What induced Festus to refuse their request is not known. It is probable, however, that he was apprised that Paul was a Roman citizen, and that his case could not come before the Jewish Sanhedrin, but must be heard by himself. As Caesarea was also at that time the residence of the Roman governor, and the place of holding the courts, and as Paul was lodged there safely, there did not appear to be any sufficient reason for removing him to Jerusalem for trial. Festus, however, granted them all that they could reasonably ask, and assured them that he should have a speedy trial.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 25:4. Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea — It is truly astonishing that Festus should refuse this favour to the heads of the Jewish nation, which, to those who were not in the secret, must appear so very reasonable; and especially as, on his coming to the government, it might be considered an act that was likely to make him popular; and he could have no interest in denying their request. But God had told Paul that he should testify of him at Rome; and he disposed the heart of Festus to act as he did; and thus disappointed the malice of the Jews, and fulfilled his own gracious design.

He - would depart shortly — So had the providence of God disposed matters that Festus was obliged to return speedily to Caesarea; and thus had not time to preside in such a trial at Jerusalem. And this reason must appear sufficient to the Jews; and especially as he gave them all liberty to come and appear against him, who were able to prove the alleged charges.