In the Ancient world, these really were somebodies. Porcius Festus was the procurator of the Roman province of Judaea, and as such he was appointed by and answered to Emperor Claudius. Festus commanded the Roman legions which occupied the area and kept order, and he had the option to use that power to condemn people to death, just as Pontius Pilate had ordered Jesus to be crucified.

But even though Festus possessed the true power in the province, Herod Agrippa II certainly possessed great influence. His father had been a personal friend of Emperor Claudius since both of them were boys in Rome. Claudius had also given Agrippa the oversight of the Temple in Jerusalem, including the right to appoint the high priests.

And let’s not forget Bernice, who was not Agrippa’s queen but his sister. She had been married to her uncle, and later to the king of Cilicia. In later years, she had an affair with Titus, the Roman commander who destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem and later became Emperor.

And let’s face it –those who command worldly power, influence, and attractiveness continue to sit in judgment on the Christian faith. They imagine that they control the only things that really matter, and easily dismiss those of us who are concerned with religious matters that they don’t understand, looking down on those of us who base our lives on the fact that Jesus was dead but is now alive again (25:19).

But if Jesus really did rise from the dead, as Paul preached (26:23) and as we believe, then Jesus is more powerful than any worldly emperor, controlling even life and death itself. And if Jesus really does give eternal life to all who trust in Him, shouldn’t we be more attracted to Him than to anything this world has to offer?

Acts 25:13-27 (ESV)

13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.
14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix,
15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.
16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed.
19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”
23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him.
26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.
27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”