25:1a Very little is known of Porcius Festus. Josephus contrasts him favorably with both his predecessor, Felix, and his successor, Albinus, stating that he acted promptly to rid the country of robbers and sicarii (Antiquities 20.182f.; War 2.271–276). He seems to have been disposed to govern the country well, but found himself unable to remedy the ill effects of Felix’s rule. Ehrhardt calls him “the one honourable governor Rome ever sent to Judea” (p. 117). As far as Paul was concerned, though Festus bore him no malice, he was overeager to give way to Jewish demands, perhaps even against his own better judgment.

25:1b–5 Within three days of his arrival in Caesarea (lit., “after three days,” but see note on 24:1) he paid a courtesy visit to the Jewish capital. It was always important for…