Acts 25:12

“Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, etc.] Not with the Jewish sanhedrim, or any part of it that came down on this occasion; but with Roman counsellors, which he had to assist him in judgment, when any difficult matters were before him; the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it, “with his counsellors”; and the Arabic reads in the singular number, “with his counsellor”; with these he advised, whether it was proper to admit of Paul’s appeal, or not; and having had their opinion, he answered, hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go: the question is put, partly for the more certain knowledge of the thing, that there might be no mistake in it; and partly on…”

“Festus--little expecting such an appeal, but bound to respect it. having conferred with the council--his assessors in judgment, as to the admissibility of the appeal. said, Hast thou--for "thou hast." to CÃ&brvbrsar shalt thou go--as if he would add perhaps "and see if thou fare better."”

“When he had conferred with the council - With his associate judges, or with those who were his counselors in the administration of justice. They were made up of the chief persons, probably military as well as civil, who were about him, and who were his assistants in the administration of the affairs of the province. Unto Caesar shalt thou go - He was willing in this way to rid himself of the trial, and of the vexation attending it. He did not dare to deliver him to the Jews in violation of the Roman laws, and he was not willing to do justice to Paul, and thus make himself unpopular with the Jews. He was, therefore, probably rejoiced at the opportunity of thus freeing himself from all the…”

“The council - It was customary for a considerable number of persons of distinction to attend the Roman governors. These constituted a kind of council, with whom they frequently advised. Acts 25:13”

“25:12 Festus granted Paul’s appeal. This fulfilled Paul’s conviction that he must see Rome (19:21; see also 23:11; 27:24; Rom 1:13-15; 15:22-29).”

“unto Caesar shalt: Act 25:21, Act 19:21, Act 23:11, Act 26:32, Act 27:1, Act 28:16; Psa 76:10; Isa 46:10, Isa 46:11; Lam 3:37; Dan 4:35; Rom 15:28, Rom 15:29; Phi 1:12-14, Phi 1:20 Acts 25:13”