Porcius Festus
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
Porcius Festus served as the Roman procurator of Judea, appointed by Emperor Nero rather than Agrippa II, succeeding Felix around 60 CE. He is documented in the Acts of the Apostles (24:27; 25:1-26:32) as the official who heard Paul's defense and appealed to Caesar.
What is the meaning of Porcius Festus in the Bible?
Porcius Festus served as the Roman procurator of Judea, appointed by Emperor Nero rather than Agrippa II, succeeding Felix around 60 CE. He is documented in the Acts of the Apostles (24:27; 25:1-26:32) as the official who heard Paul's defense and appealed to Caesar.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Festus clarifies the legal and political context of Paul's imprisonment, illustrating how Roman administrative procedures and the tension between local Jewish authorities and Roman governance influenced the narrative of Paul's journey to Rome.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.