A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since 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. When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. “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. When 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. When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I 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. But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”

As we look at this passage, we find an interesting turn of events here. First, Paul was taken to the Roman ruler, Felix. Felix wanted a bribe and apparently got one from the Jews, so he left Paul in jail. Then, Felix was replaced by Festus. Festus heard Paul’s case, but could not find a standard criminal charge to hold against him. Then King Herod Agrippa II shows up, and Festus consults him. There are clearly a lot of leaders involved in the trial between Paul and the Jews.

A little bit on King Herod Agrippa II. He was the son of King Herod Agrippa I, and he was also known as Julius Marcus Agrippa. He was only 17 when his father died. He lived with Bernice, who was his sister. After she was widowed, they began an incestuous relationship together. Apparently, he had a lot of power in Jewish religious affairs, as he had been given custodianship of the temple and had authority to appoint the High Priest Think of this, a brother living with his sister, unmarried yet sexually involved, who had the Roman authority to choose the High Priest. God must have been revolted.

The connection between King Herod Agrippa and Felix, was that Felix was married to Drusilla, and she was the sister of both Bernice and King Agrippa II. Now Festus hosts King Agrippa II, and leans on him to gain a better perspective on the Jewish leaders and the charges brought against Paul, which seemed to him to be religious in nature.

What I find interesting here is that we see two different worldly systems at work and at play here. One is the Jewish system, which has the look and appearance of godliness, but has been contorted and distorted by the Jewish leaders so badly, that they value false testimony and bribes to get their way.

The second worldly system is the Roman system. In this system, morality is relative, and those in power can bend the normal rules. Incestuous and adulterous relationships were allowed and promoted. The Roman religion was really a religion of “tolerance” of many religions, almost all morality views, and much idol worship.

Reality is, both of these systems promise much, and deliver little but a sinful trap. The Jewish system at the time, with all of its heavy rules and regulations (and the corruption of power at the top), was a guilt-ridden, hierarchical religion that was based on outward appearance and works, not on a heart devoted to God. It reeked of hypocrisy. The polytheistic Roman system was permissive of just about anything.

And in the middle of all of this stands Paul. He is a true follower of Jesus. Humble, above reproach, and committed to stand on the truth no matter the cost, Paul stood as a brilliant contrast to the Jews and the Romans and their man-made religions. He was kind and respectful. He did not have a normal agenda, and he was not open to bribes.

The model of Paul as an ambassador of Jesus is compelling! I think this is why Festus and King Agrippa were intrigued. Intrigue about strength and power under oppression is a motivator for people to watch and wonder, “what is so different about this person”?

How can I, as a part of my daily life, live in such a way, above reproach, that I create curiosity and intrigue for those around me? How, then, can I point them to Jesus?

Lord, thank you for Luke’s detailing of this saga of Paul’s trial and imprisonment. I can learn much from how he handled himself with grace and dignity, though being falsely accused and harshly treated. May my actions shine brilliantly too.