But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
ACTS 25:4KJVWhat does Acts 25:4 mean?
Acts 25:4 means that Festus, the Roman governor, replied that Paul should stay in Caesarea, where he was being held, and that Festus himself would soon travel there. Festus was responding to a request from Jewish leaders who wanted Paul transferred to Jerusalem.
In this scene, Festus is speaking to Jewish leaders who had come to ask him for a favor regarding Paul’s trial. By insisting that Paul remain in Caesarea, Festus keeps the legal proceedings under Roman control and avoids granting the leaders’ request, which was part of a plot against Paul. This verse shows Festus’s decision to maintain order and follow Roman procedures rather than yielding to local pressures.
The Greek behind Acts 25:4
- The word "kept" (τηρέω, tēreō) means to guard or keep someone in custody. Here, it highlights that Paul was being securely held in Caesarea, not just staying there freely.
- The phrase "would depart shortly" uses the Greek word τάχει (tachei), meaning quickly or soon. This emphasizes that Festus planned to travel to Caesarea in the near future, not leaving the matter unresolved for long.
Why Acts 25:4 matters
- Acts 25:4 clarifies that Festus was not easily swayed by the Jewish leaders’ request, which is important for understanding the fairness and process of Paul’s trial.
- The verse sets up the next events, showing why Paul’s case remained in Caesarea and under Roman jurisdiction, which protected him from a planned ambush.
- This moment highlights the tension between Roman authority and local demands, a recurring theme in Acts, and helps readers see how Paul’s safety and legal rights were preserved.