Definition: And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Acts 25:14. It's a really important part of the story and it means something quite specific. Here’s what it says, explained simply: “And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:” Let’s unpack that: "And when they had been there many days..." : This tells us this happened over a period of time – likely several weeks or even months. It suggests something significant happened before this verse. “Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king” : Festus is a high-ranking official in the Roman Empire. He's basically the King's advisor, and he’s tasked with making decisions for the King. “Declared” means he announced something to him. "saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:" : This is the key part! Felix was a previous prisoner who had been released. But… this man is still in prison . Festus is saying that Felix has left a man – let's call him “Paul” – in prison. So, what does this tell us? It means that Felix, the earlier prisoner, had released Paul to be free. But Felix himself is now holding onto Paul , essentially keeping him locked up! This sets up a situation of conflict and potentially manipulation. Why is this important? This verse is crucial because it shows that Felix was involved in something that wasn’t entirely clear or just. It raises questions about why Felix might have kept Paul in prison – perhaps he had ulterior motives, or maybe the situation was complicated. It's a setup for a larger story of power and intrigue within the Roman government. In short: Festus is bringing the King up to speed on a situation where Felix is still holding a prisoner named Paul, who is not free! --- Do you want me to explain another verse or delve deeper into any particular aspect of this passage? For example, would you like me to: Explain the significance of the word “Felix”? Discuss what might have caused Felix to keep Paul imprisoned?