Acts 25:18-24

¹⁸However, when the accusers got up they didn't bring charges of criminal acts as I expected.

¹⁹Instead they brought up controversies over religious questions, and over a man called Jesus who was dead but whom Paul insisted was alive.

²⁰Since I was undecided as to how to proceed in investigating such matters, I asked him if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there.

²¹However, Paul appealed for his case to be heard by the emperor, so I ordered him detained until I could send him to Caesar.”

²²“I would like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa told Festus. “I'll arrange for you to hear him tomorrow,” Festus replied.

²³The next day Agrippa arrived with Bernice in great ceremonial splendor and entered the auditorium with the commanders and leading citizens. Then Festus ordered Paul to be brought in.

²⁴“King Agrippa, and everyone who is present here with us,” Festus began, “you see before you this man whom all the Jewish people, both here and in Jerusalem, have complained to me about, shouting that he shouldn't be allowed to live.