Bible Dictionary
Festus, Porcius
Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as Roman procurator of Judea. He heard Paul’s defense before Herod Agrippa and Bernice, but sent Paul to Rome after Paul appealed to Caesar.
Definition
Porcius Festus was the Roman procurator of Judea who succeeded Felix. He governed the province for less than two years and died in Judea after his period of office.
Biblical Usage
Festus heard Paul’s defense at Caesarea before Herod Agrippa II and Bernice. Finding nothing worthy of death or imprisonment, he would have released Paul, but Paul appealed to Caesar and was consequently sent to Rome.
Historical Background
Festus succeeded Felix in approximately A.D. 60. Judea remained disturbed during his administration.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The successor of Felix (A.D. 60) as procurator of Judea (Acts 24:27). A few weeks after he had entered on his office the case of Paul, then a prisoner at Caesarea, was reported to him. The “next day,” after he had gone down to Caesarea, he heard Paul defend himself in the presence of Herod Agrippa II. and his sister Bernice, and not finding in him anything worthy of death or of bonds, would have set him free had he not appealed unto Caesar (Acts 25:11, 12). In consequence of this appeal Paul was sent to Rome. Festus, after being in office less than two years, died in Judea. (See AGRIPPA.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(Festus means festival), successor of Felix as procurator of Judea, (Acts 24:27) sent by Nero probably in the autumn of A.D. 60. A few weeks after Festus reached his province he heard the cause of St. Paul, who had been left a prisoner by Felix, in the presence of Herod Agrippa II and Bernice his sister, (Acts 25:11,12) Judea was in the same disturbed state during the procuratorship of Festus which had prevailed through that of his predecessor. He died probably in the summer of A.D. 60, having ruled the province less than two years.