Bible Strands
Acts 25:4
But Festus replied, “Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Festus addresses the Jewish leaders who have arrived in Jerusalem and requested Paul be transferred there. He responds to their ambush plot by stating his own imminent travel plans.
The words — τηρεῖσθαι (tēreisthai) denotes "is to be kept" or "is being held," while ἀπεκρίθη (apekrithē) translates to "answered." These terms anchor the verse in a formal legal reply regarding custody.
The thread — The detention details align with Acts 24:23, where Paul remains under guard yet receives limited freedom. Festus’s movement to Caesarea directly sets up the trial invitation in Acts 25:5.
Why it lands — The text establishes that Roman jurisdiction, not Jewish conspiracy, controls Paul’s custody and transfer. It requires readers to recognize that official procedure overrides the ambush scheme.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
Cross-references
- Acts 24:23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.