Acts 25:8 kjv
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
Acts 25:8 nkjv
while he answered for himself, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all."
Acts 25:8 niv
Then Paul made his defense: "I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar."
Acts 25:8 esv
Paul argued in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense."
Acts 25:8 nlt
Paul denied the charges. "I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government," he said.
Acts 25 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 24:16 | "So in everything I myself always endeavor to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men." | Lawful Conduct |
| Acts 23:1 | "And Paul looked intently at the council and said, 'Brothers, I have lived my life before God with all good conscience up to this day.'" | Testimony and Integrity |
| John 8:46 | "Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?" | Defense of Innocence |
| Acts 25:10 | "But Paul said, 'I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well.'" | Appeal to Caesar |
| Matthew 17:27 | "But, lest we give offense to them, go to the sea and cast in a hook the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and for yourself." | Fulfilling Legal/Religious Demands |
| 1 Corinthians 6:13 | "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food." | Distinct Spheres of Authority |
| Romans 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." | Respect for Government |
| 1 Peter 2:17 | "Show proper respect to everyone. Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the emperor." | Respect for Rulers |
| Titus 3:1 | "Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work," | Submission to Authorities |
| Philippians 1:14 | "and most of the brothers, empowered by the Lord by myImprisonment, have come to speak the word of God without fear." | Proclaiming the Gospel |
| Acts 28:19 | "But when the Jews opposed me, I had no other course, so I appealed to Caesar, and I was not to accuse my own nation." | Continued Appeal to Caesar |
| Acts 28:31 | "proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance." | Unhindered Ministry |
| Deuteronomy 19:15 | "One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense that may be committed; a matter will be established only by the testimony of two or three witnesses." | Legal Principle of Witnesses |
| Exodus 23:7 | "Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not kill the innocent and those who are in the right, for I will not acquit the wicked." | Justice and Righteousness |
| Psalm 15:2 | "who walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks truth in his heart;" | Characteristics of the Righteous |
| Psalm 101:6 | "I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, and they will live with me. He who walks in the way of perfection will serve me." | Seeking those who walk blamelessly |
| Proverbs 28:5 | "Evil people don't understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it perfectly." | Understanding Justice |
| Isaiah 59:14 | "Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter." | Corruption of Justice |
| Jeremiah 9:24 | "but let him who boasts, boast of this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” | God's Delight in Righteousness |
| Acts 23:5 | "But Paul said, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”" | Respect for Authorities |
| Acts 11:17 | "If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?”" | No Obstruction to God's Work |
| Galatians 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Unity in Christ |
Acts 25 verses
Acts 25 8 Meaning
Paul defends himself, stating that he has done nothing wrong against the Jewish law, the Temple, or Caesar.
Acts 25 8 Context
This verse is spoken by Paul to Festus, the Roman governor, and Agrippa II, the Jewish king, during Paul's second trial in Caesarea. Paul is appealing to Caesar to avoid a potentially unfair judgment from the Jewish authorities, who had instigated previous charges against him. Festus is about to present the case, and Paul is making a strong declaration of his innocence regarding the charges brought against him by the Jews. This statement is part of Paul's ongoing defense and his right as a Roman citizen to be judged by the emperor. It underscores his commitment to living according to God's law and upholding his Roman legal rights.
Acts 25 8 Word Analysis
"I" (ἐγὼ - egō): First-person singular pronoun, emphasizing Paul's personal declaration.
"have done" (ἐποίησα - epoiēsa): Aorist active indicative of ποιέω (poieō), meaning "to do," "to make," or "to commit." It refers to past actions.
"nothing" (οὐδὲν - ouden): Neuter form of οὐδείς (oudeis), meaning "not even one," or "nothing." This is an absolute negation of any wrongdoing.
"against" (κατὰ - kata): Preposition often meaning "down," "according to," "against," or "concerning." Here it indicates opposition or transgression towards something.
"the law" (τοῦ νόμου - tou nomou): Genitive singular of ὁ νόμος (ho nomos), meaning "the law." In this context, it specifically refers to the Jewish Law (Torah). Paul consistently maintained his adherence to the Law, distinguishing between obeying its precepts and his critics' misunderstanding or misuse of it.
"the temple" (τοῦ ἱερόν - tou hieron): Genitive singular of τὸ ἱερόν (to hieron), meaning "the Temple." Paul was accused of defiling the Temple by bringing Gentiles into it, a charge he refuted.
"or" (ἢ - ē): Conjunction connecting the offenses.
"Caesar" (Καίσαρα - Kaisaara): Accusative singular of Καῖσαρ (Kaisar), referring to the Roman Emperor. This signifies that Paul had not committed any offense against the Roman authorities or the empire.
Group of words:
- "done nothing against the law, or the temple, or Caesar": This tripartite denial forms the core of Paul's defense, presenting him as innocent in the eyes of the Jewish religious system, the sacred site, and the Roman government. It aligns with his previous statements of a clear conscience and his legal rights as a Roman citizen.
Acts 25 8 Bonus Section
Paul's defense highlights his strategic understanding of legal and religious norms. By denying wrongdoing in these specific categories, he aims to dismantle the accusations brought against him. His "word-by-word" presentation of innocence covers the bases: religious law (the Law), sacred space (the Temple), and secular authority (Caesar). This multifaceted defense emphasizes his loyalty to God while maintaining his integrity within human systems, a balance he consistently sought throughout his ministry. It demonstrates his conviction that his faith in Christ did not necessitate rebellion against the established order, provided it did not contradict God's higher law.
Acts 25 8 Commentary
Paul asserts his innocence by directly addressing the three main areas of accusation: Jewish law, the Temple, and Roman authority. He claims he has committed no offense in any of these spheres. This declaration is not merely a denial of guilt but a strong statement of his upright conduct and adherence to principles. For Paul, upholding Jewish law was secondary only to obeying God, and he never desecrated the Temple; in fact, his arrest was based on false testimony. His appeal to Caesar underscores his respect for Roman law, even as he sought a fair hearing. His unwavering belief in Christ did not make him a rebel against society or God's appointed rulers. He lived under civil authorities as ordained by God, while still submitting ultimately to Christ.