Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 25:9
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?
9. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure ] Better (with R. V.) “desiring to gain favour with the Jews.” Cp. Act 24:27. Though he had not consented to their request when he was in Jerusalem, he now went some way towards doing so by his question to Paul.
Wilt thou before me ] What Festus proposed was equivalent to acquitting the Apostle of any charge which would come under Roman law. He is therefore appealed to on the other accusations. The offences against the law of the Jews and against the Temple must be heard before the Sanhedrin. Would Paul accept an acquittal on one count and submit to a trial before his own people on the rest? And Festus would be present to see that right was done.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure – Desirous of securing their favor, as he had just entered on his administration. Compare Act 24:27. In this he evinced rather a desire of popularity than an inclination to do justice. Had he been disposed to do right at once, he would have immediately discharged Paul. Festus perceived that the case was one that did not come fairly within the jurisdiction of a Roman magistrate; that it pertained solely to the customs and questions among the Jews Act 25:18-20; and he therefore proposed that the case should be tried before him at Jerusalem. It is remarkable, however, that he had such a sense of justice and law as not to suffer the case to go out of his own hands. He proposed still to hear the cause, but asked Paul whether he was willing that it should be tried at Jerusalem. As the question which he asked Paul was one on which he was at liberty to take his own course, and as Paul had no reason to expect that his going to Jerusalem would facilitate the cause of justice, it is not remarkable that he declined the offer, as perhaps Festus supposed he would.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. Willing to do the Jews a pleasure] This was merely to please them, and conciliate their esteem; for he knew that, as Paul was a Roman citizen, he could not oblige him to take a new trial at Jerusalem.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Willing to do the Jews a pleasure; as his predecessor, Felix, before him, Act 24:27, to gain popular applause, and the good will of that nation; especially Felix having been displaced upon the complaint of the Jews against him.
Answered, or spake to Paul; as Act 3:12.
Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, &c.: Festus apparently inclines to favour the Jews, though he does not command, but ask this of Paul; he being privileged as a Roman, could not against his will be forced to acknowledge the Jews for competent judges.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9, 10. Festus, willing to do theJews a pleasureto ingratiate himself with them.
said, Wilt thou go up toJerusalem, and . . . be judged . . . before meor, “undermy protection.” If this was meant in earnest, it was temporizingand vacillating. But, possibly, anticipating Paul’s refusal, hewished merely to avoid the odium of refusing to remove the trial toJerusalem.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure,…. As did his predecessor Felix, Ac 24:27 he being just entered upon his new government, and having met with some caresses and civilities from the Jews at Jerusalem, by whom he had been much pressed and urged about the affair of the apostle:
answered Paul, and said, wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? meaning by the Jewish sanhedrim, he Festus being present: this was what the Jews had requested of him when he was at Jerusalem, that he would send for Paul thither, and there let him be judged, and which request he had denied; but having been solicited and importuned by the Jews, perhaps as, they came down together, he was inclined to gratify them, and to admit of it that he should be tried at Jerusalem, before the sanhedrim, he being present; and yet he was unwilling to do this without the prisoner’s consent, he being a freeman of a Roman city; fearing he should be charged with delivering up a Roman into the hands of the Jews, which might be resented by the emperor and the Roman senate, should it come to their knowledge.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Desiring to gain favour with the Jews ( ). Precisely the expression used of Felix by Luke in 24:27 which see. Festus, like Felix, falls a victim to fear of the Jews.
Before me (‘ ). Same use of with the genitive as in Acts 23:30; Acts 24:19; Acts 24:21. Festus, seeing that it was unjust to condemn Paul and yet disadvantageous to absolve him (Blass), now makes the very proposal to Paul that the rulers had made to him in Jerusalem (verse 3). He added the words “‘ ” (before me) as if to insure Paul of justice. If Festus was unwilling to give Paul justice in Caesarea where his regular court held forth, what assurance was there that Festus would give it to him at Jerusalem in the atmosphere of intense hostility to Paul? Only two years ago the mob, the Sanhedrin, the forty conspirators had tried to take his life in Jerusalem. Festus had no more courage to do right than Felix, however plausible his language might sound. Festus also, while wanting Paul to think that he would in Jerusalem “be judged of these things before me,” in reality probably intended to turn Paul over to the Sanhedrin in order to please the Jews, probably with Festus present also to see that Paul received justice ( ). Festus possibly was surprised to find that the charges were chiefly against Jewish law, though one was against Caesar. It was not a mere change of venue that Paul sensed, but the utter unwillingness of Festus to do his duty by him and his willingness to connive at Jewish vengeance on Paul. Paul had faced the mob and the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, two years of trickery at the hands of Felix in Caesarea, and now he is confronted by the bland chicanery of Festus. It is too much, the last straw.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Do a pleasure. See on ch. Act 24:27. Rev., better, to gain favor.
Before me [ ] . Not with him as judge, but by the Sanhedrim in his presence.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Put Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure,” (ho Phestos de thelon tois loudaiois cherin katathesthai) “But Festus wishing very much to show the Jews a favor,” covetously desiring to please the majority of them in his new post as their governor, as Pilate had done with Jesus Luk 23:24-25.
2) “Answered Paul and said,” (apokritheis to Paulo eipen) “Replying to Paul, said,” with what he considered to be political astuteness, that would secure the high sanction of the Jewish majority in Jerusalem and Judea. Like compromising Pilate he cared more for political expediency than he did for truth or justice, Luk 23:4; Luk 23:14-15; Luk 23:22; Luk 23:24.
3) “Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem,” (theleis eis lerosoluma anabas) “Would you care to go up to Jerusalem?” or are you willing to go up to Jerusalem? Knowing full well of the plot to ambush him, kill him if he did.
4) “And there be judged of these things before me?” (ekei peri touton keithenai ep’ emou?) “And be judged concerning these charges there, standing before me? not before the Jews, Act 25:20, Act 24:27.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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9. And Festus. Whether Festus knew somewhat of their laying await, (which we may well conjecture) or whether he were altogether ignorant thereof, he dealeth unjustly with Paul; and we see how soon those are drawn unto all corruption which are not guided by the Spirit of God. For Festus doth not openly contemn or hate Paul; but ambition, and peradventure also desire of gain, got the upper hand, so that, for pleasing the other part, he doth unjustly bring him in danger of death; also, it is likely that he was enticed with the smell [hope] of some reward to hearken so courteously to the priests. Notwithstanding, I marvel that he giveth Paul leave to choose, and doth not rather, according to this authority, command them to carry him whether he would or no. Surely we gather that he was kept back with fear, lest he should infringe the privilege of the city of Rome, − (599) which was a very odious crime. Notwithstanding, he studied craftily to persuade Paul not to refuse to be judged at Jerusalem. For he was not ignorant of that which indeed came to pass, that a citizen of Rome might lawfully appeal, so that he could then go no farther. Nevertheless, it was no thank to him that he was not delivered into the hands of murderers. − (600) −
(599) −
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Jus Romanae civitatis,” the privilege of a Roman citizen.
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Quo minus sceleratis latronibus mactandum objiceret ,” that he did not expose himself to be murdered by nefarious assassins.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) Willing to do the Jews a pleasure.See Note on Act. 24:27. The invitation was in itself plausible enough. It practically admitted that there was no evidence on the last head of the accusation of which he, as procurator, need take cognizance. It offered the prisoner a trial before his own national tribunal, with the presence of the procurator as a check upon violence and injustice. It is manifest from St. Pauls answer that this was practically what Festus meant. The proposed trial would, he says, not be before Caesars judgment seat, and he, for his part, preferred the secular to the ecclesiastical tribunal.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Wilt thou Festus is aware that as a Roman citizen Paul cannot be obliged to undergo trial by the Jews. He probably does not expect that Paul will consent. But he will do the Jews the pleasure of making the query.
Before me He offers to preside at the trial before the Sanhedrin as a safeguard of justice. But Paul has had enough of Jewish treachery, and knows whither his Providential destiny points.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘But Festus, desiring to gain favour with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?” ’
Festus, however, wished to conciliate the Jews and be seen by the local authorities in a good light, the better to enable him successfully to carry out his duties. Thus, no doubt under continued pressure from them (for after all who did Paul represent?), he suggested that he might consider ‘going up’ to Jerusalem to be tried there before him. He himself would be there to ensure that the trial was fair. This rather favourable treatment of being consulted was no doubt because he was a Roman citizen. Of course Festus was inevitably unaware of why this would cause real problems. He may well have summed up the Jewish leadership, but he probably never considered that they themselves would be involved in an assassination attempt. And he had probably not yet gathered how unscrupulous they were. A fair-minded man always has difficulty in understanding scoundrels.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Paul’s appeal:
v. 9. 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?
v. 10. Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
v. 11. For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
v. 12. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? Unto Caesar shalt thou go. Evidently the Jews, with the persistence that characterizes them, had not quite given up their project of having Paul brought to Jerusalem. at any rate, the idea that he might gain popularity by the suggestion caused Festus to ask Paul whether he wanted to go up to Jerusalem, there to be tried before him concerning these things. The real favor which Festus intended to show the Jews seems to have consisted in this, that the members of the Sanhedrin would conduct the trial in his presence. It was a most unusual suggestion, altogether at variance with Roman proceedings at law, and seems to have come as a surprise to Paul. But his answer came without hesitation. He wanted to be tried by no Jewish court; standing before the tribunal of Caesar, he was where right and justice demanded that he be tried. The court of the Roman procurator was a lower court, removed but one step from the imperial court, and the governor held court as a representative of Caesar. Paul adds that he had not harmed the Jews, that he had done them no wrong, “as thou also understandest very well,” he boldly says. Festus was finding out for himself better with each minute that the charges of the Jews were mere pretense and had no basis of fact. So far as he himself was concerned, Paul was ready to face any just trial. If he was a wrong-doer, guilty of some crime, if he had done anything that merited death according to Roman law, he would not refuse, literally, he would not beg off from, death. But if there were no matters concerning which the Jews accused him, if they were unable to substantiate their charges against him, no man had the right to deliver him up to them, to make them a present of the prisoner, to do with as they chose. And Paul closed his ringing defense of his innocence with the words: I appeal to Caesar. A Roman citizen, tried for a crime and sentenced, had the right to appeal to the emperor if he believed the ruling of the court to be unjust; but in criminal cases he might resort to this appeal at any time, if he thought that the judge was exceeding his authority and acting at variance with the laws. Such an appeal instantly suspended proceedings in the case, its effect being to condemn all magistrates and persons in authority as violators of the public peace who had put to death, tortured, scourged, imprisoned, or condemned any Roman citizen who had appealed to Caesar in Paul’s case, therefore, the trial stopped at once. Festus merely had a short consultation with the assessors of the court, counselors or officials that were consulted in the administration of the law, the question in this instance probably being whether the appeal should be accepted, since Paul had not yet been formally tried. But the outcome of the discussion was stated by Festus: To Caesar hast thou appealed; to Caesar shalt thou go! There seems to be something of a sneer in the words, occasioned, no doubt, by the fact that the appeal at this time indicated the prisoner’s mistrust of the judge’s impartiality But this expedient may, incidentally, have proved a relief to Festus; for now the Jews would not be able to say that he had not been willing to grant them their boon, and he was rid of the whole disagreeable matter. Thus the unbelief, the hatred of Christ on the part of the Jews and the injustice on the part of the Roman governor combined in enabling Paul to preach the Gospel also in Rome, the capital of the world. Even today the wickedness and enmity of the world often serve to spread the kingdom of Christ on earth.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Act 25:9 . ] see on Act 24:27 .
😉 Grotius correctly renders: visne a Synedrio judicari me praesente? For that Festus meant a by the Sanhedrim , is evident of itself from . . and .
] coram me . Bengel aptly observes: hoc Festus speciose addit.
Paul must be asked the question, , because he had already been delivered over to the higher Roman authority, and accordingly as a Roman citizen could not be compelled again to renounce the Roman tribunal.
If Festus had previously (Act 25:4 ) without ceremony refused the request of the Jews, which was at variance with the course of Roman law, he now shows, on the other hand, after they had conformed to the ordinary mode of procedure, that he was quite willing to please them. Certainly he could not doubt beforehand that his would be answered in the negative by Paul; yet by his question he made the Jews sensible at least that the frustration of their wish did not proceed from any indisposition on his part.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
9 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?
Ver. 9. Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem? ] Irreligious persons that are not acted by the Spirit of God, we see how flexible and inclinable they are to corrupt counsels and courses. Before, he would not yield to the Jews’ motion; now he would. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways,” , Jas 1:6 .
” Et tantum constans in levitate sua. “
But should not the chief posts in a building be heart of oak? should not the standard be made of metal of proof? Fabricius is famous for his well knit resolution; sooner might a man turn the sun out of his course than draw him to do anything that was not just and equal. As, on the other side, those Athenian judges shall be infamous to all posterity, who when they had determined to condemn Phryne (that stinking strumpet), were yet drawn to acquit her, after that they beheld her beautiful bosom, which Hyperides (her advocate) had purposely laid open (pulling her clothes aside) to move them to show her mercy. (Plut. in Hyperid.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
9. ] , the aor., refers to the one act , of deciding finally concerning these charges. This not having been seen, the later MSS. have substituted , which is more ‘ going to law,’ ‘being involved in a trial.’
The question is asked of Paul as a Roman citizen, having a right to be tried by Roman law: and more is contained in it, than at first meets the eye. It seems to propose only a change of place ; but doubtless in the was contained by implication a sentence pronounced by the Sanhedrim. may mean no more than , ch. Act 26:2 , viz., that the procurator would be present and sanction the trial: so Grot., “visne a synedrio judicari me prsente?” Otherwise, a journey to Jerusalem would be superfluous. Festus may very probably have anticipated the rejection of this proposal by Paul, and have wished to make it appear that the obstacle in the way of Paul being tried by the Sanhedrim arose not from him , but from the prisoner himself.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 25:9 . , Act 24:27 . ., best placed emphatically before . (W.H [391] ), so as to show that it was the compliance of Festus to the Jews which caused the turn which things took (Weiss). .: “injustum videbatur condemnare, incommodum absolvere,” Blass. : he makes himself the same proposal to the prisoner which had previously been suggested by the accusers, Act 25:3 . : “me prsente,” for the Sanhedrists would be the judges; otherwise, where would be the favour to the Jews? Felix may have added the words speciose , so as to reassure Paul and to obtain his acquiescence to the proposal; in Act 25:20 omitted, but evidently from their close connection with . . they indicate that Festus would play some judicial part in the matter; cf. Act 24:21 and 1Co 6:1 . But Paul’s answer plainly shows that he thought from the words of Felix that a Jewish and not a Roman tribunal awaited him: would therefore seem to mean that the Sanhedrim would judge, whilst Festus would ratify their judgment or not as seemed good to him, as Pilate had acted in the case of Christ. On the other hand it is possible that Festus may have been quite sincere in his proposal: his words at least showed that in his judgment there was no case against Paul of a political nature, and he may have thought that religious questions could be best decided before the Sanhedrim in Jerusalem, whilst he could guarantee a safe-conduct for Paul as a Roman citizen.
[391] Westcott and Hort’s The New Testament in Greek: Critical Text and Notes.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
willing = purposing. Greek. thelo. App-102.
to do the Jews a pleasure = to gain favour with the Jews, as in Act 24:27.
Wilt thou = Art thou willing to. Greek. thelo, as above.
judged. Greek. krino. App-122.
of = concerning. Greek. peri.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
9.] , the aor., refers to the one act, of deciding finally concerning these charges. This not having been seen, the later MSS. have substituted , which is more going to law, being involved in a trial.
The question is asked of Paul as a Roman citizen, having a right to be tried by Roman law: and more is contained in it, than at first meets the eye. It seems to propose only a change of place; but doubtless in the was contained by implication a sentence pronounced by the Sanhedrim. may mean no more than , ch. Act 26:2, viz., that the procurator would be present and sanction the trial: so Grot., visne a synedrio judicari me prsente? Otherwise, a journey to Jerusalem would be superfluous. Festus may very probably have anticipated the rejection of this proposal by Paul, and have wished to make it appear that the obstacle in the way of Paul being tried by the Sanhedrim arose not from him, but from the prisoner himself.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 25:9. ; wilt thou?) Festus could have given the decree without asking Paul; but conscience kept him back, and the matter was divinely so ordered, that Paul should be given cause for making an appeal.- , before me) This Festus adds plausibly. Paul answers presently, , …, before the tribunal, etc.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
willing: Act 25:3, Act 25:20, Act 12:3, Act 24:27, Mar 15:15
Reciprocal: Exo 23:2 – follow Dan 6:16 – the king Mat 27:15 – General Mar 15:6 – General Act 12:11 – all Act 18:22 – gone Act 21:15 – and went Act 26:17 – Delivering
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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Act 25:9. For reasons of political policy, Festus changed his attitude toward the request of the Jews. He proposed to try Paul at Jerusalem as they had requested.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 25:9. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of those things before me? This was a very natural proposal of the Roman governor. He felt clearly that there was no sufficient evidence to prove the charge of treason or sedition, which was really all he, as an official of the Empire, had to take cognisance of; but he wished to be popular with the leading men of his province, so he publicly asked the prisoner if he aid not think it better for him to have those charges, which exclusively related to Jewish customs and laws, investigated before an ecclesiastical tribunal like the Sanhedrim, he, the procurator, promising to be present and to hear the accusation and the defence. It is not unlikely that Festus anticipated what the reply of Paul to his proposition would be, but he wished that the odium of declining to submit to the Sanhedrim jurisdiction should be thrown on Paul, who, as Festus knew well, could plead if he chose his privileges as a citizen of Rome. As far as he was concerned, the Jewish notables would be able to see that no obstacles were thrown by him in the way of their carrying out their customs and rights.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, How Festus,being willing to gratify the Jews, asks Paul if he would go to Jerusalem, and be tried there, in the Jewish court, about those matters?
The apostle replied, that he was his proper judge, under the Roman emperor, and not the Jews; and that being a Roman, he might clain the privilege of a Roman, which accordingly he did by appealing unto Cesar.
Festus, hearing that, not only admitted his appeal, but was glad of it to get rid of him without peril on the one hand, or ill will on the other.
Here we may remark, 1. That carnal politicians do not so much consider what is just and righteous in its own nature, as what is of use and advantage to themselves, be it right or wrong. The apostle had cleared himself from all slanderous accusations; and yet Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, will not set him at liberty. It is too often the practice of corrupt judges, that they may please the people, to deliver up truth to be injuriously crucified; considering more their own interest, than the prisoner’s innocency.
Note, 2. How the apostle appeals from Jerusalem to Rome, from his own countrymen to heathens; from the high-priest to the emperor Nero; expecting to find more justice at the hands of infidels, than from the Jewish Sanhedrin. And to this the apostle was in some sort divinely admonished by Christ himself, to make his appeal. Be of good cheer, Paul, thou shalt bear witness to me at Rome. Act 23:11
Doubtless, this was a mighty support and strong consolation to him, to know that he appealed and desired to go to Rome, where God had appointed to have him go.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Act 25:9-12. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure To ingratiate himself with them by a popular action, at the beginning of his government; to gratify the prosecutors rather than the prisoner, as far as he could go with safety against one that was a citizen of Rome; answered Paul, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem and there be judged? Festus could have ordered this without asking Paul. But God secretly overruled the whole, that he might have an occasion of appealing to Rome. In suffering times the prudence of the Lords people is tried as well as their patience. Being sent forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, they have need to be wise as serpents. Then said Paul Apprehensive of the attempt which might be made upon his life in his journey, or in the city itself; I stand at Cesars judgment-seat For all the courts of the Roman governors were held in the name of the emperor, and by commission from him; where As a Roman citizen; I ought to be judged And I insist upon my privilege of having my cause decided there; to the Jews have I done no wrong In any respect whatever; as thou very well knowest As thou must have perceived clearly by what has this day been examined before thee. Or, Festus might know that Paul had done the Jews no wrong, from the relation Felix had made unto him, as also from such as were present with Felix when Pauls cause was heard. Thus it very well becomes those that are innocent to plead their innocence, and to insist upon it; it is a debt we owe to our own good name, not only not to bear false witness against ourselves, but to maintain our own integrity against those who bear false witness against us. For if I be an offender, &c. If I have injured the Jews, and my fault be such as by law deserves death, I ask no favour; I refuse not to die But will willingly accept the punishment of mine iniquity. But if As I know in my own conscience, and as thou, from the course of this trial, hast the greatest reason to believe; there be none of these things That is, that these things, whereof they accuse me Have had no existence, and that their accusations proceed from malice, and are founded on falsehood; no man may deliver me unto them Nor can, without palpable injustice. He expresses himself modestly, but his meaning is, Thou canst not deliver me to them; it being a governors business, as much to protect the innocent, as to punish the guilty. I appeal unto Cesar Which any Roman citizen might do before sentence was passed. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council It was customary for a considerable number of persons of distinction to attend the Roman governors into the provinces. These constituted a kind of council, with whom they frequently advised; answered Having called in the prisoner; Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go For how desirous soever I am to oblige the people of my province, I will never allow myself, upon any occasion, to violate the privileges of a Roman citizen. Festus, therefore, gave proper orders for conveying him to Rome as soon as possible, that he might be there presented before the emperor himself; and, in the mean time, Paul was remanded to his confinement, and his accusers returned to Jerusalem a second time, with the mortification of not having been able to accomplish their purpose against him.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
9. The accusers not being able to prove their charges, and the prisoner having plead not guilty to each specification, he should have been unconditionally released. But Festus, notwithstanding the fairness of his answer to their demands in Jerusalem, was now disposed to yield to the clamor of the Jews. (9) “But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, there to be judged concerning these things before me?” It is possible that Festus still knew nothing of the plot to murder Paul by the roadside; but he knew that the Jews desired his death, and he here exhibited a willingness to give them the opportunity which they desired.
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
25:9 {3} 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?
(3) God does not only turn aside the counsel of the wicked, but also turns it upon their own heads.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
As the new governor, Festus did not want to do anything that would turn the Jewish authorities against him, especially in view of Felix’s record. He did not know how to proceed (Act 25:20), but he wanted to stay in the Jews’ favor. Therefore he somewhat naively asked Paul if he was willing to move his trial to Jerusalem, the site of some of his alleged crimes. The fact that he asked Paul’s permission indicates that Paul was not a common criminal but an unconvicted Roman citizen with rights that the governor had to respect.