Portius Festus

Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as the Roman governor of Judea and heard Paul's case, ultimately sending him to Rome for trial.

Porcius Festus was a Roman procurator (governor) of Judea who succeeded Felix around 60 AD (Act 24:27). He is mentioned in the book of Acts in relation to the apostle Paul's ongoing legal case. Upon taking office, Festus was confronted with the charges against Paul that had been left unresolved by Felix (Act 25:1-2). Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem for trial, but Paul appealed to Caesar, asserting his rights as a Roman citizen (Act 25:9-12). Festus, unsure how to handle the case, consulted with King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice, who came to Caesarea to pay their respects to the new governor (Act 25:13-22). Paul was brought before Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice to present his defense (Act 25:23-26:32). After hearing Paul's testimony, Festus exclaimed that Paul's great learning had driven him insane (Act 26:24). Agrippa, however, believed that Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (Act 26:32). Festus then sent Paul to Rome for trial, as he had requested (Act 27:1). The account of Festus's involvement in Paul's case illustrates the complexities of the Roman legal system and the challenges faced by early Christians in navigating it.

The successor of Felix (A.D. 60) as procurator of Judea (Acts 24:27). A few weeks after he had entered on his office the case of Paul, then a prisoner at Caesarea, was reported to him. The “next day,” after he had gone down to Caesarea, he heard Paul defend himself in the presence of Herod Agrippa II. and his sister Bernice, and not finding in him anything worthy of death or of bonds, would have set him free had he not appealed unto Caesar (Acts 25:11, 12). In consequence of this appeal Paul was sent to Rome. Festus, after being in office less than two years, died in Judea.