Acts 25:16 kjv
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
Acts 25:16 nkjv
To them I answered, 'It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.'
Acts 25:16 niv
"I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.
Acts 25:16 esv
I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
Acts 25:16 nlt
I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves.
Acts 25 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 23:30 | "And when I was informed of their plot against him, I sent him to you immediately, and also commanded his accusers to state their case before you in Jerusalem." | Echoes the protocol of transferring accused to accusers' jurisdiction. |
| Acts 24:1-23 | Paul's defense before Felix. | Illustrates prior accusations. |
| Acts 25:1-12 | Paul appeals to Caesar. | Festus' decision stems from Paul's appeal. |
| Acts 26:32 | "And Agrippa said to Festus, 'This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.'" | Reinforces the significance of the appeal. |
| Philippians 1:12 | "I want you to know, brethren, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel," | Paul's imprisonment furthering the Gospel. |
| 2 Timothy 4:16 | "At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them." | Paul's prior legal experiences. |
| Jeremiah 17:5 | "Thus says the LORD: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart turns away from the LORD.'" | Caution against relying on human systems. |
| Psalm 119:163 | "I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law." | Paul's integrity against false charges. |
| Romans 13:1-7 | The duty to respect governing authorities. | Legal framework of the Roman Empire. |
| Galatians 5:11 | "But I, brethren, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still suffering persecution? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished." | Persecution for the Gospel message. |
| 1 Peter 2:15 | "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." | Doing good to overcome false accusations. |
| John 18:33 | "Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus, and said to him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?'" | Roman jurisdiction over Jesus. |
| Matthew 10:17 | "Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues," | Jesus' warning about Jewish councils. |
| 1 Corinthians 4:5 | "Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes; who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and disclose the purposes of men's hearts; and then every man will receive his praise from God." | Ultimate judgment by God. |
| John 19:8 | "When Pilate heard these words, he was more frightened." | Roman officials' awareness of Jewish concerns. |
| Acts 26:10 | "And this I did in Jerusalem; I both shut up many of the saints in prison, by authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I cast my vote against them." | Paul's previous involvement in persecutions. |
| Proverbs 18:17 | "The first speaker in a lawsuit seems right, until another comes and probes him." | The need for examining accusations thoroughly. |
| Acts 16:35 | "And when day came, the magistrates sent the police, saying, 'Let that man go.'" | Roman authorities sometimes correcting injustices. |
| Acts 18:14 | "But when Paul was about to be indicted by the prosecuting counsel, Gallio said to the Jews, 'If it were a matter of wrong or villainous knavery, O Jews, reason would indeed make me your patient bearer. But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.'" | Roman governors' jurisdictional limits and disinterest in religious disputes. |
| Acts 19:35 | "And when the town clerk had appeased the crowds, he said, 'Men of Ephesus, what person is there who does not know that this city of the Ephesians is the guardian of the temple of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image that fell from heaven?'" | Roman authority addressing public order issues. |
Acts 25 verses
Acts 25 16 Meaning
This verse signifies Festus' intention to transfer Paul to Rome. It highlights Festus' engagement with the Jewish leaders to determine the charges against Paul. The emphasis is on understanding the accusations, demonstrating a facade of justice or a desire to please the Jewish authorities before sending Paul to a Roman court.
Acts 25 16 Context
Festus, the new Roman governor of Judea, has arrived and is familiarizing himself with the province and its political landscape. Paul, a Roman citizen, has been imprisoned for some time in Caesarea, awaiting a hearing. The previous governor, Felix, procrastinated due to the ongoing accusations and a potential bribe. Now, Festus, wishing to gain favor with the influential Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, plans to hold a trial. He invites them to Caesarea to present their case against Paul. This exchange occurs before the actual trial in Festus' presence, where Paul will ultimately appeal to Caesar, forcing Festus to send him to Rome. The historical context involves Roman administration in a restive Judea and the tension between Roman law, Jewish religious customs, and the nascent Christian movement.
Acts 25 16 Word analysis
- $\delta\iota\epsilon\pi \rho \alpha \xi \alpha\mu \epsilon \nu o\varsigma$ (diepraxamenos): "having accomplished" or "having done." It indicates the completion of an action. Festus states that he had done this, referring to previous decisions or arrangements made for Paul's case.
- $\pi \rho o\varsigma$ (pros): "to" or "towards." It shows the direction of the action.
- $\tau\omicron\nu$ (ton): The definite article "the."
- $\lambda\alpha o\nu$ (laon): "people." Specifically refers to the Jewish people.
- $\sigma\omicron\upsilon$ (sou): "your." Possessive pronoun, referring to Festus.
- $\epsilon\nu$ (en): "in" or "among."
- $\tau\eta$ (tē): The definite article "the."
- $\iota \epsilon \rho o\sigma o\lambda \cup\mu o\iota\sigma$ (hierosolymois): "Jerusalem."
- $\alpha\nu \alpha\phi \epsilon \rho \epsilon\sigma \theta \alpha\iota$ (anapheresthai): "to bring up," "to carry up," or "to refer." In this context, it means to bring the charges or the case to Jerusalem.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- $\delta\iota\epsilon\pi \rho \alpha \xi \alpha\mu \epsilon \nu o\varsigma$ $\pi \rho o\varsigma$ $\tau\omicron\nu$ $\lambda\alpha o\nu$ $\sigma\omicron\upsilon$ $\epsilon\nu$ $\tau\eta$ $\iota \epsilon \rho o\sigma\omicron \lambda \cup\mu o\iota\sigma$: This phrase suggests Festus' intent to have the matter processed or resolved concerning "your people in Jerusalem." It implies he is deferring or preparing to engage with the Jewish leadership concerning Paul.
Acts 25 16 Bonus section
This verse demonstrates the tension between Roman jurisdiction and local Jewish demands. Festus’ suggestion reflects a common practice where Roman officials would involve local elites in legal proceedings, especially in matters deemed internal or religious by the locals. This act of consultation, while seemingly procedural, was a way for Festus to manage potential unrest and ensure his administration began smoothly by appeasing influential groups. The underlying theme is the governance of a diverse empire, requiring delicate balancing acts by its officials.
Acts 25 16 Commentary
Festus informs King Agrippa II and others about his plans concerning Paul. He reveals his intention to have the Jewish accusers present their case in Jerusalem. This shows Festus' political acumen; as a new governor, he is mindful of maintaining good relations with the prominent Jewish leadership. He presents his actions as a means to accommodate their wishes. However, it also sets the stage for the eventual appeal to Caesar. Festus' initial desire to satisfy the Jewish leaders by allowing them to pursue their charges in Jerusalem before transferring Paul to a Roman hearing highlights the complexities of Roman provincial governance, where local customs and influential groups had to be considered. It’s a calculated move, attempting to appear fair and responsive to local powers.