We left chapter 24 with Paul still in prison as ordered by Felix. While Paul was in prison, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. When Felix left this position, he wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people and left Paul in prison.
Chapter 25 continues telling us three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new job, he then left for Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders and leading priests met Felix there to bring charges against Paul. The Jews asked Festus to do them a favor by transferring Paul to Jerusalem so they could kill him along the way. Fortunately, Paul was in Caesarea and Festus told the Jews he planned to return there shortly. He also told them they could come to Caesarea and offer their accusation there.
Eight days after that, Festus returned to Caesarea and the following day, he took his seat in court and brought Paul in. The group of Jews were there and made many serious accusations again Paul but could not prove any of them. (It continually interests me how these religious leaders who want Paul killed in an effort to protect the truth of the Old Testament but they continually break the Laws of Moses. There are the very same laws they use to judge and condemn others. In those laws they are told to not kill another nor offer false witness agains others. Yet they continually lie and try to kill Paul)
Paul denied the charges saying he had done nothing against the Temple, Jewish laws or the Roman government. Festus, wanting to please the Jews then asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem the stand trial. (It seems this would be a way for Festus to help the Jews accomplish their plan to kill Paul as he traveled just as they had asked Festus to do when he was in Jerusalem)
Paul said no. He said the court he was in now was an official Roman court and he should be tried there. He told them they knew he was not guilty of anything but if he truly was, he would not resist being put to death. He added know one had the right to turn him over to the Jews so they could kill him. Paul then appealed to go before Caesar. Festus deliberated with his advisors and his ruling was that Paul be sent to Caesar. (It seems the Romans were more fair and interested in truth and the obeying of laws than the Jewish leaders were)
A few days later, King Agrippa arrived to pay his respects to Festus. He came with his sister Bernice. They stayed several days when Festus began discussing his situation with Paul. He spoke of how the Jewish leaders tried to press him to condemn Paul but he would not because a Roman citizen cannot be convicted without a trial and have the right to confront their accusers.
Festus told him he brought Paul in to face the Jewish leaders. They presented their case against Paul but Festus found the charges not to be what he expected. Instead they were something about their religion and the dead person Jesus, who Paul insisted was alive. Festus had no idea how he could investigate these things so he asked Paul if he were willing to stand trial in Jerusalem but Paul appealed to have his trial decided by the emperor. Festus explained they had been holding Paul in captivity until he could be sent to Caesar.
King Agrippa wanted to hear Paul speak (Perhaps Agrippa wanted to learn the truth himself) and Festus said he would tomorrow. The next day King Agrippa and his sister made a royal entrance along with military officers and prominent men. Paul was brought in again and introduced by Festus as the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews both here and in Jerusalem. Festus explained he found no wrong in Paul deserving of death. (Festus admitted he could find no wrong in Paul, yet he wanted to please the Jews. This is the same situation Jesus was in. Pilate found no wrong in Jesus but was persuaded to do to Jesus what he knew was wrong. I wonder if the Jewish leaders saw they could manipulate the Romans and were trying to do the same thing to Paul) However, since Paul appealed to Caesar he would be sent to Rome.
Festus went on saying he had a problem sending Paul to Rome for he had no clear charge against Paul to send him before the emperor. How foolish he would look sending Paul there without some charge. In an effort to gain a clearer understanding and send him with actual charges, he and King Agrippa would examine Paul. He expected after thorough examination, he would then be able to send Paul to Rome with proper charges.
As we go on to chapter 26 the examination of Paul will be conducted.