King James Version

What Does Acts 25:6 Mean?

Acts 25:6 in the King James Version says “And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgm...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. more: or, as some copies read, no more than eight or ten days”

Acts 25:6 · KJV

Context

4

But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

5

Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

6

And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. more: or, as some copies read, no more than eight or ten days

7

And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

8

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

Read Acts 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
More than ten days—Luke's precise timeframe emphasizes the brief courtesy visit to Jerusalem before returning to governmental duties. Festus's quick action contrasts with Felix's two-year neglect. Sitting on the judgment seat (βήματος, bēmatos) refers to the official tribunal where Roman magistrates rendered legal decisions, symbolizing imperial authority.

The phrase commanded Paul to be brought initiates formal legal proceedings. The 'bema' (judgment seat) appears throughout Paul's trials and later in his theology (Romans 14:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10), where he applies the image to Christ's final judgment. Paul's earthly trials become types of ultimate accountability before God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The judgment seat was a raised platform in Caesarea's praetorium where the procurator heard cases. Archaeological remains at Caesarea show the elaborate administrative complex where these proceedings occurred. The ten-day visit allowed Festus to assess the volatile political situation in Jerusalem.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Paul's experience before earthly judgment seats prepare him (and us) to think rightly about standing before Christ's judgment?
  2. What does the contrast between Felix's delay and Festus's promptness teach about different forms of injustice?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
Διατρίψας1 of 21

“when he had tarried”

G1304

to wear through (time), i.e., remain

δὲ2 of 21

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐν3 of 21

“among”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτοῖς4 of 21

“them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἡμέρας5 of 21

“days”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

πλείους6 of 21

“more”

G4119

more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion

ἢ7 of 21

“than”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

δέκα8 of 21

“ten”

G1176

ten

καταβὰς9 of 21

“he went down”

G2597

to descend (literally or figuratively)

εἰς10 of 21

“unto”

G1519

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

Καισάρειαν11 of 21

“Caesarea”

G2542

caesaria, the name of two places in palestine

τῇ12 of 21
G3588

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

ἐπαύριον13 of 21

“and the next day”

G1887

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

καθίσας14 of 21

“sitting”

G2523

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

ἐπὶ15 of 21

“on”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοῦ16 of 21
G3588

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

βήματος17 of 21

“the judgment seat”

G968

a step, i.e., foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e., a tribunal

ἐκέλευσεν18 of 21

“commanded”

G2753

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

τὸν19 of 21
G3588

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

Παῦλον20 of 21

“Paul”

G3972

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

ἀχθῆναι21 of 21

“to be brought”

G71

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

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 25:6 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 25:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 25:17Acts 25:10Matthew 27:19Acts 18:12-172 Corinthians 5:10James 2:6

Places in This Verse

CaesareaSettlement · Modern: Caesarea Maritima · 32.50°N, 34.89°E18 verses across 1 book
View all places in Acts 25 →

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