Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem to understand the racial unrest. The chief priests and Jewish leaders appeared before him and brought charges against Paul. They petitioned Festus for a favor, to have Paul transfered to Jerusalem�𨰣or they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. But Festus wanted Paul to be heard first before judgment by Roman law. So these Jews who were earnest to kill Paul followed the governor to Caesarea to press charges against Paul.
The next day Festus ordered Paul to be brought before him. The Jews stood around him, bringing many serious but baseless charges against Paul. After Paul made his defense, Festus asked Paul if he was willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial there. Paul answered, �𦔒 am now standing before Caesar�䏭 (Roman emperor) court, where I ought to be tried�� The charges they brought against me are not true. I appeal to Caesar.�� Then Festus agreed to Paul's request to appeal to Caesar (Acts 15:1��12).