Porcius Festus

Acts 24-26 presents Festus as the successor to Antonius Felix. Soon after taking office, he visited Jerusalem, where Jewish leaders urged him to bring Paul there while secretly planning an ambush. Festus instead ordered the accusers to come to Caesarea. At Paul's hearing, serious charges were made but not proved. When Festus asked whether Paul would go to Jerusalem for trial, Paul appealed to Caesar, exercising his right as a Roman citizen. Festus accepted the appeal. Later, when Agrippa II and Berenice visited Caesarea, Festus explained the case and admitted his difficulty in sending a prisoner to the emperor without clearly stated charges. Paul then gave his defense before Agrippa, Berenice, Festus, and other dignitaries. Festus interrupted Paul at one point, saying that his great learning was driving him mad. Afterward the officials agreed Paul had done nothing deserving death or imprisonment, though his appeal meant the case would proceed to Caesar.