Agrippa told Festus, “This man could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed his case to the emperor.”
Two years passed. Then Porcius Festus took Felix’s place. (Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.)
However, I don’t think that he has done anything to deserve the death penalty. But since he made an appeal to His Majesty the Emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.
The Roman authorities cross-examined me and wanted to let me go because I was accused of nothing for which I deserved to die.
But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal my case to the emperor. That doesn’t mean I have any charges to bring against my own people.
The Lord told Ananias, “Go! I’ve chosen this man to bring my name to nations, to kings, and to the people of Israel.