The Roman Princess Who Heard Paul’s Defense
Bernice is one of the few women outside of Mary Magdalene and the female disciples to be explicitly named in the context of the New Testament judicial proceedings. Her presence underscores the political tension between Rome and Judea during the early decades of the Christian era.
Lineage and Historical Context
Bernice was a princess of the Herodian dynasty, one of the most powerful and infamous ruling families in the region.
- Her Father: She was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I (who executed the Apostle James and imprisoned Peter in Acts 12:1-3).
- Her Brother: She was the sister of Herod Agrippa II, who ruled over territories northeast of Galilee.
She was widely known in the Roman world for her beauty and her controversial life, which included a troubled political marriage and persistent rumors of an incestuous relationship with her brother, Agrippa II.
The Appearance in the Book of Acts
Bernice appears in the book of Acts alongside her brother, King Agrippa, when they visit Festus, the Roman governor of Judea, in Caesarea. Their visit provided Festus with an opportunity to present the perplexing case of the Apostle Paul, who had appealed to Caesar:
“And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.” (Acts 25:23, KJV)
It was before this esteemed, if morally flawed, audience that Paul gave his powerful defense and testimony of conversion (Acts 26).
The Response to Paul’s Testimony
Paul’s defense, which detailed his radical conversion on the road to Damascus and his mission to the Gentiles, had a noticeable effect on the royal visitors. Paul directly challenged Agrippa with the truth of prophecy, asking, “King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?” (Acts 26:27, KJV).
The scriptures record the reaction of both rulers:
“And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.” (Acts 26:30-31, KJV)
While they were personally convinced of Paul’s innocence, they were unable to release him because he had already invoked his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar (Acts 25:11-12, KJV).
A Lesson in Hearing the Truth
Bernice represents those who sit in judgment over the truth but allow political and worldly concerns to prevent a true spiritual commitment. She was a woman of wealth and authority who sat in the judgment hall and heard the pure, undeniable testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the very lips of the Apostle Paul. Yet, she is only recorded as acknowledging the messenger’s innocence, not accepting his message. Her life serves as a solemn reminder that hearing the truth of the Gospel is not the same as submitting to it.