There was an arrangement in the Roman Empire in which the officials were transferred from time to time to other places, in order to prevent them from prostituting their offices for the purpose of gain, which might have happened in the event of their remaining for a long time in one region.
The happy Felix, with his sick conscience, in the last term of his office chose to gain favor with the Jews in return for their interceding to Caesar for him, rather than to adjudicate the matter according to the will of God and set Paul free. So he who coveted money and promotion in government rank also rushed quickly toward the coming judgment of God.
Festus, the new governor, came with activistic vigor, and wanted to settle all the outstanding matters of his predecessor. So he traveled at once to the Jewish center, Jerusalem, where the cunning leaders, seizing the opportunity, asked him, as a favor, to send Paul to Jerusalem, so that together they might judge him for violating the law. Their demand was a deception, for they intended to kill Paul on the road.
Festus hoped, in skillful manner, to draw the rabbis to his house in Caesarea. He demanded a delegation from them which would be able to clarify the matter. When he went down some days later to his capital on the seaside, he held an official hearing. The Jews came with heavy accusations, complaining that Paul had moved the foundations of the world, polluted the temple, defamed the truth of the Law, and even acted against Caesar, by calling Christ Lord, and King of kings.
Paul replied to these complaints, stating that all these charges were but devious tricks and obvious lies. He was not acting unjustly toward any Jew. Paul was prepared to die if he had committed any injustice. But the prosecutors could not prove any civil offence against him.
The governor soon recognized that the matter was purely of religious nature. He suggested to Paul that he accept being placed on trial in Jerusalem under his presidency, so that the mysterious questions and accusations surrounding the center of his religion might be clarified to the governor. Paul was not afraid of a theological discussion regarding the Law and the Gospel, but was well aware of his enemies’ spite, hatred, and fanatical determination to kill him, whatever the cost. Also, he knew they were not prepared for a just trial. Therefore, he demanded an objective Roman judgment, and rejected the bigotry and stubbornness of the Jews in their call for his destruction. The highest council of the Jews was undoubtedly against Jesus of Nazareth and his followers, as was obvious during the thirty years from Christ’s crucifixion to the present trial of Paul.
When Paul noticed that the governor, desirous to establish a harmonious beginning and ensure the cooperation of his citizens, was prepared to deliver him up to the highest council of the Jews, he took hold of his last resource, one which God had given him since birth … his Roman citizenship! This might be used to save himself from destruction. He had used this right once before in Philippi, when the prison was opened wide by an earthquake, and also before his scourging in Jerusalem. Now, he was prepared to use it again, in order to stop the governor from offering him up to be tried by his enemies in Jerusalem. Thus, he boldly spoke forth his request, demanding his right to be tried before Caesar in person. No one could deny him this right to justice as a Roman citizen.
At that time, the licentious and cruel Nero had come to power in Rome. Festus smiled, as he confirmed to Paul that he would indeed send him to be judged by this tyrant Caesar. In Rome, he would experience corruption, fluidity, deceit, and lying in the highest centers of the state. He would see and experience the maddening delay of treatments and formalities in the judicial departments. Paul expected a long imprisonment, but certainly felt in his heart that his Lord had guided him to Rome. He did not choose this way. Instead, it was His Lord who purposed to bring His ambassador into the capital, not as an acquitted victor, but rather as a prisoner. So Paul preferred to go to Rome bound, rather than lose long years under a weak governor who, because of cooperation with his enemies, was unwilling to either make a decision or give attention to Paul’s case.