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?

ACTS 25:9KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 25:9 (KJV)

What does Acts 25:9 mean?

Acts 25:9 describes how Festus, the Roman governor, tried to please the Jewish leaders by asking Paul if he would agree to go to Jerusalem to be judged there about the accusations against him. Festus was hoping to win favor with the Jews by suggesting this move, even though Paul was already on trial in Caesarea.

In this scene, Festus is speaking directly to Paul during a legal hearing. The Jewish leaders had accused Paul of serious offenses, and Festus, new to his position, wanted to maintain good relations with them. By offering to transfer Paul’s trial to Jerusalem, Festus was attempting a political compromise, even though it could put Paul in danger.

The Greek behind Acts 25:9

  • The word translated "pleasure" is χάρις (charis), which often means "favor" or "goodwill." Here, it shows that Festus was motivated by a desire to gain approval from the Jewish leaders, not by justice.
  • The phrase "willing" comes from θέλω (thelō), meaning "to wish" or "to want." This highlights that Festus’s actions were intentional and based on his own decision to seek favor.
  • The verb "judged" is κρίνω (krinō), which means "to judge" or "to decide a legal case." Festus is proposing a formal legal process, not just a discussion.

Why Acts 25:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Festus’s main concern was political, not legal fairness; he was more interested in pleasing the local leaders than in justice for Paul.
  • The verse sets up the tension that leads to Paul’s appeal to Caesar, which becomes a turning point in Paul’s journey and the narrative of Acts.
  • Understanding Festus’s motivation helps explain why Paul refused the offer and insisted on his rights as a Roman citizen, shaping the events that follow.

Where else these words appear

“do” Greek G2698 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 15:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
  • Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

“Festus” Greek G5347 · used in 13 verses

  • Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
  • Acts 25:13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
  • Acts 25:24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

“Jerusalem” Greek G2414 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
  • Mark 15:41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
  • Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

“things” Greek G5130 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  • Luke 24:14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
  • Acts 26:21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.