Acts 25 26

Acts 25:26 kjv

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

Acts 25:26 nkjv

I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.

Acts 25:26 niv

But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write.

Acts 25:26 esv

But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.

Acts 25:26 nlt

"But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write.

Acts 25 verses

Acts 25 26 Meaning

Festus, the Roman governor, explains his predicament to King Agrippa II: he lacks a specific, legally sound accusation to send to Caesar concerning Paul. He has therefore brought Paul before Agrippa, known for his understanding of Jewish matters, in the hope that through Agrippa's expert examination, Festus can gather enough clear information to compose a formal and valid report for the Emperor. This demonstrates Festus's adherence to Roman legal procedure and his desire for a just outcome.

Acts 25 26 Context

Acts chapter 25 details the start of Porcius Festus's governorship of Judea, succeeding Felix. Immediately upon his arrival, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem renewed their accusations against Paul, who had been imprisoned for two years. They sought Paul's transfer to Jerusalem, intending to ambush and kill him along the way. Festus, however, insisted they come to Caesarea, where Paul was being held. After hearing the charges and Paul's defense, Festus, either seeking favor with the Jews or struggling to understand the religious intricacies, asked Paul if he would agree to be tried in Jerusalem. Paul, recognizing the danger and the baselessness of the charges, asserted his rights as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11). This appeal meant Paul had to be sent to Rome. The challenge for Festus, then, was to formulate a formal written charge against Paul for the emperor's court, a report that required concrete details and understanding of the alleged offense, something Festus lacked because the charges were purely religious and not criminal under Roman law. This necessity led him to present Paul before King Agrippa II and Bernice, who were visiting Caesarea, as Agrippa possessed considerable knowledge of Jewish customs, laws, and religious controversies, making him an invaluable consultant for Festus.

Acts 25 26 Word analysis

• Concerning whom (περὶ οὗ, peri hou): This phrase succinctly identifies Paul as the subject of Festus's perplexing situation. It indicates that Festus's administrative concern revolves entirely around Paul and the charges against him.
• no certain thing (οὐδὲν ἀσφαλὲς, ouden asphales):
  • ἀσφαλὲς (asphales): Literally means "safe," "secure," "reliable," or "firm." In a legal context, it implies a charge that is definite, well-founded, and legally actionable, rather than vague or based on unsubstantiated accusations. Festus is acknowledging that despite all hearings, he has not found a secure basis for a criminal indictment by Roman law.
  • Significance: This highlights Festus's legal integrity and the absence of any Roman-recognised crime in Paul's case, forcing him to seek external expertise for what essentially appeared to be a religious dispute.
• to write (γράφειν, graphein): Refers to the official written report or dispatch required for the emperor in cases of appeal. Roman law demanded clear and substantial grounds for sending a prisoner to the capital.
• unto my lord (τῷ κυρίῳ, tō Kyriō): This term refers to the Roman Emperor, Nero. Festus is under the emperor's authority and must provide a formal, comprehensible report of Paul's case to his superior. The Roman hierarchy demands accountability.
• Wherefore (διό, dio): Connects Festus's predicament (lack of a clear charge) directly to his chosen solution (presenting Paul to Agrippa).
• I have brought him forth (προήγαγον, proēgagon): Indicates the formal presentation of Paul before the distinguished assembly, making it a matter of public legal inquiry and consultation.
• before you (ἐφ' ὑμῶν, eph' humōn): Refers to the collective audience, including Agrippa, Bernice, and the accompanying officials.
• and specially before thee, O King Agrippa (μάλιστα ἐπὶ σοῦ, Βασιλεῦ Ἀγρίππα, malista epi sou, Basileu Agrippa):
  • μάλιστα (malista): "Especially" or "most of all." This emphatic term underscores that Agrippa's presence and particular expertise are the primary reasons for this public hearing.
  • King Agrippa: Agrippa II was a Herod descendant and client king. His extensive knowledge of Jewish laws, customs, sects, and messianic expectations (as evidenced in Acts 26) made him uniquely qualified to discern the truth and nature of the accusations against Paul, which were entirely religious.
  • Significance: Festus recognized his own inadequacy in understanding the Jewish religious law and needed an expert opinion to formulate a legally acceptable Roman indictment.
• that, after examination had (ὅπως τῆς ἀνακρίσεως γενομένης, hopōs tēs anakriseōs genomēnēs):
  • ἀνακρίσεως (anakriseōs): A formal legal term meaning "investigation," "preliminary hearing," or "examination." It refers to the process of gathering facts and determining the nature of an accusation before a formal trial or report.
  • Significance: This was not a trial, as Paul had already appealed. It was an inquiry to help Festus classify the Jewish accusations within a Roman legal framework.
• I might have somewhat to write (ἔχω τι γράψω, echō ti grapsō):
  • Significance: The desired outcome of this formal session. Festus wants a definitive, concise summary of the accusations and Paul's defense that makes sense to Roman authorities and satisfies legal requirements for a Caesar appeal. He needed a valid reason for Paul's detention and transportation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Concerning whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord.": This clause vividly expresses Festus's administrative predicament. He cannot accurately report to the Emperor without a concrete charge against Paul. This highlights the fundamental clash between Jewish religious accusations and Roman legal definitions of criminality.
• "Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O King Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.": This entire statement serves as Festus's clear explanation for the hearing. It explicitly states the purpose (to gain clarity for a report), the means (Paul's presentation and Agrippa's examination), and the agent who can provide that clarity (Agrippa). It underscores the meticulousness of Roman bureaucracy and the high esteem for Agrippa's particular expertise.

Acts 25 26 Bonus section

• The meticulousness of Roman provincial administration required precise documentation, even for cases deemed politically inconvenient or legally vague. This diligence, ironically, aided God's purpose in providing multiple testimonies to Paul's innocence before he reached the heart of the Roman Empire.
• This verse underscores that even when legal and political systems appear to thwart God's will, His sovereignty works through them, orchestrating events and interactions (like Festus's need for Agrippa's input) to advance His Kingdom and the proclamation of the Gospel.
• Festus's action, while driven by bureaucratic necessity, indirectly confirms the non-criminal nature of Paul's actions from a Roman legal perspective. The problem was understanding the Jewish accusations, not that Paul had committed an obvious Roman crime like rebellion or theft.

Acts 25 26 Commentary

Acts 25:26 reveals Festus's dilemma and integrity. As a new Roman governor, he inherited Paul's case, which was complex due to its religious rather than criminal nature by Roman standards. The core issue for Festus was to translate the nuanced Jewish accusations (blasphemy, defiling the temple, stirring up riots based on specific religious interpretations) into something coherent and actionable for Caesar's court in Rome. He couldn't simply say Paul was accused of being a "troublemaker" without specific legal grounds, especially for a Roman citizen.

Festus's honesty in admitting "no certain thing to write" signifies his desire to follow due process and avoid sending a frivolous or unsubstantiated report to the emperor, which could have negatively impacted his own standing. His strategic decision to involve King Agrippa II demonstrates his astuteness. Agrippa, having a deep understanding of Jewish customs, traditions, and internal disputes (especially regarding the Law and Messianic prophecies), was the perfect "expert witness" or consultant. This assembly was not a trial, as Paul's appeal to Caesar had already set his path to Rome. Rather, it was a high-level consultation designed to provide Festus with the factual basis and legal language necessary for his imperial dispatch. In this way, God's plan for Paul to testify before kings and be taken to Rome (Acts 9:15; 23:11) was unfolding, using the Roman legal system and even the secular ruler's need for accurate documentation.