Festus
Gentile Roman; governor of Judaea after Felix · Early Church · New Testament
- Also called
- Porcius Festus
- Role
- Roman governor before whom Paul appealed to Caesar
- When
- governor c. AD 59-62
What they did
He succeeded Felix and heard Paul's case; when Paul appealed to Caesar, Festus sent him to Rome, after presenting him before King Agrippa and saying that much learning had made Paul mad.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
God used Paul's appeal before Festus to bring the gospel to Rome, as the Lord had promised Paul (Acts 23:11).
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go. Acts 25:12 (KJV)
Bible references
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. Acts 24:27 (KJV)
But 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? Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For 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 Cæsar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go. Acts 25:9-12 (KJV)
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. Acts 26:24-25 (KJV)
Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar. Acts 26:32 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.