King James Version

What Does Acts 25:23 Mean?

Acts 25:23 in the King James Version says “And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with ...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.”

Acts 25:23 · KJV

Context

21

But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. hearing: or, judgment

22

Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

23

And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

24

And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

Read Acts 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp—The scene is spectacular: μετὰ πολλῆς φαντασίας (meta pollēs phantasias, 'with much pageantry, display, spectacle'). Agrippa and Bernice arrive in full royal regalia—a theatrical entrance designed to display power and majesty. The contrast is deliberate: worldly pomp versus Paul's imprisoned simplicity, yet Paul has the greater message and authority.

And was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city—The akroatērion (ἀκροατήριον, 'audience chamber, hearing room') fills with χιλιάρχοις (chiliarchois, 'military tribunes, commanders') and ἐξοχοῖς ἀνδράσιν (exochois andrasin, 'prominent men, leaders') of Caesarea. At Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth—the prisoner enters this gathering of power and prestige. Yet Acts records none of their words, only Paul's testimony. Human pomp fades; gospel truth endures.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Caesarea Maritima was Herod the Great's showcase capital, with a magnificent palace that served as the Roman procurator's residence. The audience chamber was designed to impress—marble columns, mosaics, symbols of Roman power. Agrippa's entrance would include trumpets, guards, and ceremonial protocol befitting royalty. The gathering represented the three power structures of first-century Palestine: Roman government (Festus, tribunes), Jewish royalty (Agrippa), and local aristocracy (principal men). Paul stands before all three as a prisoner in chains, yet his message will outlast their kingdoms.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the contrast between worldly pomp and gospel simplicity challenge our own attraction to spectacle over substance in worship?
  2. What does this scene teach about the temporary nature of human power and pageantry compared to the eternal weight of gospel testimony?
  3. In what ways might contemporary Christianity sometimes emphasize presentation and pomp over the simple, powerful proclamation of Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 36 words
Τῇ1 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὖν2 of 36

“when”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ἐπαύριον3 of 36

“And on the morrow”

G1887

occurring on the succeeding day, i.e., (g2250 being implied) to-morrow

ἐλθόντος4 of 36

“was come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

τοῦ5 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἀγρίππα6 of 36

“Agrippa”

G67

wild-horse tamer; agrippas, one of the herods

καὶ7 of 36

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τῆς8 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Βερνίκης9 of 36

“Bernice”

G959

victorious; bernice, a member of the herodian family

μετὰ10 of 36

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

πολλῆς11 of 36

“great”

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

φαντασίας12 of 36

“pomp”

G5325

(properly abstract) a (vain) show ("fantasy")

καὶ13 of 36

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἰσελθόντων14 of 36

“was entered”

G1525

to enter (literally or figuratively)

εἰς15 of 36

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ16 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀκροατήριον17 of 36

“the place of hearing”

G201

an audience-room

σύν18 of 36

“with”

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

τε19 of 36
G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

τοῖς20 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χιλιάρχοις21 of 36

“the chief captains”

G5506

the commander of a thousand soldiers ("chiliarch"; i.e., colonel

καὶ22 of 36

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀνδράσιν23 of 36

“men”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

τοῖς24 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κατ'25 of 36
G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

ἐξοχὴν26 of 36

“principal”

G1851

prominence (figuratively)

οὖσιν27 of 36

“of”

G5607

being

τῆς28 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλεως29 of 36

“the city”

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

καὶ30 of 36

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κελεύσαντος31 of 36

“commandment”

G2753

"hail"; to incite by word, i.e., order

τοῦ32 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Φήστου33 of 36

“Festus”

G5347

festal; phestus (i.e., festus), a roman

ἤχθη34 of 36

“was brought forth”

G71

properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce

ὁ35 of 36
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Παῦλος36 of 36

“Paul”

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 25:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 25:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 26:30Acts 25:131 John 2:161 Peter 1:24Isaiah 5:14Ecclesiastes 1:2

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