Festus

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Greek/Latin Phēstos (“festive” or “joyful”); a personal name without theological function in Acts.
• Period/Era: Roman Imperial Context; Apostolic Age.
• Main References: Acts 24:27–26:32.
• Key Connections: Paul the apostle; Herod Agrippa II and Bernice; the Jerusalem priestly leadership.

Who was Festus?

Festus (Porcius Festus) was the Roman governor (procurator) of Judea who succeeded Felix.
He inherited Paul’s unresolved case and engaged with Jewish leaders who sought a conviction.
As a Roman official, he aimed to manage provincial order while following Roman legal procedure.

Key Events & Achievements

• Assumed office: Replaced Felix and immediately encountered the pending charges against Paul (Acts 24:27–25:5).
• Conducted hearings: Questioned Paul in Caesarea and acknowledged the dispute centered on religious matters and Jesus’ resurrection claim (Acts 25:6–20).
• Forwarded the appeal: After Paul appealed to Caesar, Festus consulted Agrippa II and arranged Paul’s transfer to Rome with a formal report (Acts 25:21–27; 26:30–32).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Festus illustrates how early Christian witness often advanced within Roman legal settings, even when political pressure complicated public justice.

Key Verse

“Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, ‘To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.’” — Acts 25:12, ESV