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Acts 25 · a question people ask

Festus said, "I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death" (25:25). Why didn't he set Paul free?

In the text

The chapter gives only Festus's words: "But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I determined to send him" (25:25). He had told the king the same thing in other words: "But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar." (25:21). In the next chapter Agrippa says to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." (26:32). These are their words. The chapter gives no other reason, and these notes don't say what Festus thought, or whether he was right.

The verses

“But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar.””
Acts 25:21 · World English Bible
“But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I determined to send him,”
Acts 25:25 · World English Bible
“Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.””
Acts 26:32 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Acts 25

Acts 25: To Caesar you shall go

Acts 25 names Jesus once, and only in Festus's words to the king: "one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive" (25:19). Paul's own words in the chapter are his defense and "I appeal to Caesar!" (25:11).

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Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions