So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”
So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
Comment: If Roman law meant anything, Paul had to go to Rome. However without TV or a local cinema, how was Festus to entertain his high ranking visitors – Agrippa and Bernice? Festus gave an accurate summary of the core of the issue between Paul and the Jewish rulers. Agrippa agreed to hear what is at least Paul’s side of the grievance, and everything is set up for a review which cannot bring a final answer, for he has already been ordered to Rome.
Prayer: We often don’t know what the future holds, O Lord. Help me to me walk into the future in faith even though I’d often prefer light.
As I read it! 