The appeal to Caesar was of such moment that Festus thought it best to confer with his advisers before making the decision regarding Paul’s fate. The first part of this verse may be translated as “then Festus first conferred with his advisers and then answered Paul.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .