Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 After several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 Since [fn]the king was staying there for several days, Festus presented Paul's case to him, saying, “There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix. 15 When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews presented their case and asked for a [fn]judgment against him. 16 I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand [fn]anyone over for destruction before the accused faces his accusers and has an opportunity to make his defense concerning the charges. 17 So when they had assembled here, I did not postpone the case, but on the next day I sat on the judgment seat and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When his accusers stood up, they brought no charge against him of [fn]the sort I was expecting. 19 Instead they had certain points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a man named Jesus who was dead, but whom Paul claimed was alive. 20 Since I was at a loss as to how to investigate [fn]this matter, I asked if he might be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. 21 But Paul appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of His Majesty the Emperor, so I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” Festus said, “Tomorrow yoʋ will hear him.”