ACC ~ Acts 25 v12

FOR THE SAKE OF THE PREACHING. CHRYSOSTOM: [Paul] did not say, “I am not worthy of death,” or “I am worthy to be acquitted,” but “I am ready to stand trial before Caesar.” At the same time, remembering the dream, he was all the more confident to appeal. … “When he had conferred with his council,” it says, “[Festus] answered, ‘You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.’” Notice again how his trial is extended, how the plot against him becomes an occasion for preaching, so that with ease and security he is conveyed to Salem, with no plot against him. For it is one thing to simply be there and another to be there for this reason. For this is what made the Jews gather there. Again, [Festus] stays at Jerusalem for some time, to teach us that although time has passed, in no way do the plottings against him succeed, since God does not permit it. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 51.