PORCIUS FESTUS. – Procurator of Judaea from 60 to 61–62 A.D. (U. Holzmeister’s dates), of whom Acts 24:27–27:1 speaks. He is praised for his judgment and ability. Having arrived at Caesarea in the summer, after the Felix (v.), he found Paul there a prisoner (ibid. 24:27).
Three days later, having gone up to Jerusalem, the Jewish leaders asked him to have the accused brought there, hoping to succeed in killing him by ambush along the way. P. F. invited the accusers to his tribunal at Caesarea, where they brought forward numerous accusations that they were unable to prove. When P. F. asked Paul whether he wished to go up to Jerusalem to be judged there by the Sanhedrin in his presence, the Apostle replied: «I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal: here I must be judged... I appeal to Caesar.» P. F., after conferring with his council, replied: «You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go!» (Acts 25:10-12).
Meanwhile, Agrippa II (v.) BERNICE (v.) had arrived in Caesarea on a visit of homage. P. F. asked them to hear Paul, in order to obtain information for the elogium to be sent with the prisoner to Nero. When, at the end of his apologia, he heard Paul speak of the resurrection of the dead, P. F. said to him good-naturedly: «Paul, you are mad! Your many books are driving you insane!» And Paul: «I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but am speaking words of truth and wisdom!» (Acts 26:24-25). In the autumn of 60, P. F. entrusted Paul to the centurion Julius, so that he might take him to Rome.
The year in which P. F. began his office is debated, since it is important for the chronology of St Paul. At present the majority of scholars agree on the year 60 A.D. G. Ricciotti too, who in Storia d'Israele (II, Turin 1934, § 414) had fixed this date at 62, now, in Paolo Apostolo (Rome 1946, p. 146), prefers 60. During his brief administration, which lasted little more than a year, P. F. restored public order, which had been disturbed by bands of assassins who stabbed, plundered, and set fire everywhere. He also put an end to the revolt of a false messiah who was attracting the crowds into the desert, killing him together with his followers. He died while still in office and was succeeded by Albinus (v.).