Acts 25:4,5 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

But Festus Knowing their design; answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea So Festus's care to preserve the imperial privileges was the means of preserving Paul's life! By what invisible springs does God govern the world! With what silence, and yet with what wisdom and energy! Nevertheless, Festus was willing to do them the justice of hearing what they had to say against Paul, if they would go down with him to Cesarea, and appear against him there. Let them, said he, which among you are able Who are best able to undertake the journey, and to manage the cause; go down with me, and accuse this man In my hearing: or, let those go and give in their evidence that are competent witnesses, and are able to prove any thing criminal upon him; if there be any wickedness in him For which he ought to be punished according to the Roman laws. So he does not pass sentence before he hears the cause, nor take it for granted that there was wickedness in him till it should be proved upon him, and he had been heard in his own defence.