The trial before Agrippa is one of the great moments in the book of Acts. Festus gives his non-commital position to Agrippa and invites there feedback before sending Paul to Rome. Once again, he gestures before he gives his formal testimony. Paul begins with his B.C. story, but not before interjecting his comment about the resurrection, once again setting his accusers back on their heels. He then shares that he was very much like his accusers. In this telling, he is more graphic about the role he played in having many Christians put to death (rounding them up in other cities, forcing confessions and casting votes in favor of their execution). He mentions that this was done in cooperation with the high priests (who are respresented among his accusers).
The details of his Damascus Road experience both parallel and add information to what was in Acts 9. For Festus, Paul's testimony seems over the top and he accuses Paul of insanity. But Paul appeals to Agrippa who is part Jew and married to one. He uses the high Jewish understanding of the prophet as a way of appealing for Agrippa to consider Christ (with Agrippa pushing way Paul's urging with sarcasm). He is acquitted by both Festus and Agrippa, but Paul's appeal to Caesar makes that all irrelevant. He is now off to Rome.
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