But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
Festus refused to move Paul from Caesarea to Jerusalem, answering that Paul should be kept at Caesarea and that he himself would depart shortly thither. Paul was to remain where he was being held while Festus soon returned to Caesarea himself. The charges were to be heard at Caesarea, with those who had accusations against him coming there to accuse him. There Paul would have a fair chance to answer them, for Festus upheld his responsibility to give him a fair trial where he was held.
The request to bring Paul to Jerusalem concealed the purpose of the Jewish leaders, who wanted the transfer so they could ambush and kill him on the journey. They sought to use the Roman governor to carry out their will against Paul. Through God's providence Festus's decision frustrated that murder plot and prevented the killing on the way. By keeping Paul from the plot it preserved the apostle's life and lengthened it.
Paul's custody at Caesarea shows faith standing firm against human power and policy enlisted for evil. Even when led in chains toward a criminal's death, his faith did not yield.
Festus refused to move Paul from Caesarea to Jerusalem, answering that Paul should be kept at Caesarea and that he himself would depart shortly thither. Paul was to remain where he was being held while Festus soon returned to Caesarea himself. The charges were to be heard at Caesarea, with those who had accusations against him coming there to accuse him. There Paul would have a fair chance to answer them, for Festus upheld his responsibility to give him a fair trial where he was held.
The request to bring Paul to Jerusalem concealed the purpose of the Jewish leaders, who wanted the transfer so they could ambush and kill him on the journey. They sought to use the Roman governor to carry out their will against Paul. Through God's providence Festus's decision frustrated that murder plot and prevented the killing on the way. By keeping Paul from the plot it preserved the apostle's life and lengthened it.
Paul's custody at Caesarea shows faith standing firm against human power and policy enlisted for evil. Even when led in chains toward a criminal's death, his faith did not yield.