Acts 25 8

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 verses

Acts 25 8 Meaning

Acts 25:8 presents Paul's unequivocal declaration of innocence before the Roman governor Festus, vehemently denying the charges brought against him by the Jewish leadership. He asserts that he has committed no offense whatsoever, neither against the sacred Mosaic Law, nor against the holy Temple in Jerusalem, nor against the authority of Caesar, thereby refuting both religious and political accusations. This tripartite denial underscores the baselessness of the charges and Paul's firm adherence to what he believes is lawful and right, even while proclaiming the Gospel.

Acts 25 8 Context

Acts chapter 25 picks up shortly after Felix, the previous Roman governor, has been recalled and Festus has taken his place. Within three days of arriving in the province of Judea, Festus went to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and prominent Jews immediately presented their charges against Paul, urging Festus to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem for trial—a move intended to ambush and kill Paul on the way. Festus, however, insisted on Paul remaining in Caesarea. Upon his return to Caesarea, Festus held a public hearing for Paul. Verse 8 occurs during this trial, as Paul presents his defense against the Jewish accusations. These accusations, though not explicitly detailed in Acts 25, were consistent with earlier trials: profaning the Temple, stirring up sedition among the Jews, and teaching doctrines contrary to the Law of Moses. Paul's concise response directly addresses these three common areas of contention, forming a direct rebuttal to his accusers, maintaining his unwavering stance of innocence against both religious and political misconduct. This leads to Paul's appeal to Caesar, an option available to Roman citizens facing such accusations.

Acts 25 8 Word analysis

• Paul: (Παῦλος - Paulos). A common Roman name, emphasizing his Roman citizenship. Here, he acts not merely as a disciple but as a Roman citizen exercising his legal rights.
• answered for himself: (ἀπελογεῖτο - apologeito). This is an imperfect tense verb, suggesting he "kept on answering" or "was defending himself." The root apologeisthai means to "make a defense," "speak in one's own defense." It signifies a formal legal plea or reasoned argument against charges, much like the "apologia" in Greek legal rhetoric.
• 'Neither...nor...nor...': (Οὔτε...οὔτε...οὔτε - Oute...oute...oute). This triple negation is extremely emphatic. It presents a complete and exhaustive denial, leaving no room for any of the accusations. It's a rhetorical device for absolute refutation, directly addressing and systematically dismissing all possible categories of transgression.
• the law of the Jews: (τὸν νόμον τῶν Ἰουδαίων - ton nomon tōn Ioudaiōn). This refers to the Mosaic Law, including its ceremonial and ethical aspects. The Jewish accusers often claimed Paul taught against it or introduced practices that violated it, particularly regarding Gentiles. Paul affirms his respect for the Law as God-given, even while advocating for faith in Christ over legalistic observance.
• the temple: (τὸ ἱερὸν - to hieron). Specifically, the Jerusalem Temple, considered sacred space. The charge was that Paul had defiled it by bringing uncircumcised Gentiles (Trophimus of Ephesus) into forbidden areas (Acts 21:28-29). Paul unequivocally denies this specific act, which carried the death penalty under Jewish law. His defense is not that the Temple no longer matters, but that he had respected its sanctity in his conduct.
• Caesar: (Καίσαρά - Kaisara). The Roman Emperor, representing the supreme imperial authority and Roman civil law. Charges against Caesar typically involved sedition, treason, or promoting a rival king, which were severe political offenses punishable by death. By denying any offense against Caesar, Paul asserts his loyalty and respect for Roman civil rule (Rom 13:1-7), differentiating the Kingdom of God from political rebellion.
• have I committed any offense: (τι ἥμαρτον - ti ēmarton). Ēmarton (from hamartanō) means "I sinned," "I failed," or "I committed an offense/wrongdoing." Ti means "anything" or "some." Paul denies "anything at all" wrong in these three critical areas. This verb is strong, denoting not just a minor mistake but a culpable action, legally and morally.

Words-group analysis:

• "Neither against the law...nor against the temple...nor against Caesar": This phrase highlights the tripartite nature of the charges typically leveled against Paul. The accusations covered his relationship with Judaism's religious traditions, its central place of worship, and the ultimate secular governing authority. By denying all three, Paul dismantles the entirety of the prosecution's case in one concise statement. It reveals the strategic way his opponents sought to corner him, appealing to both Jewish religious sensitivities and Roman political fears.

Acts 25 8 Bonus section

Paul's defense here also serves to differentiate early Christianity from being a politically disruptive movement. By consistently denying charges of sedition, Paul and Luke (the author of Acts) implicitly argue for Christianity's legitimacy within the Roman Empire, as a religion that poses no threat to civic order. This was important for the early church seeking to establish itself in a Roman world. This comprehensive denial foreshadows Paul's appeal to Caesar, as he is asserting that a Roman court is indeed the proper venue to ascertain his innocence from politically motivated accusations.

Acts 25 8 Commentary

Acts 25:8 is a succinct and powerful summary of Paul's consistent defense throughout his trials. It addresses the three main categories of charges laid against him by the Jewish authorities: religious heterodoxy concerning the Law, sacrilege against the Temple, and political subversion against Rome. By making this direct and comprehensive denial, Paul asserts his blamelessness across all perceived jurisdictions, appealing both to his Jewish heritage (upholding the Law and Temple rituals when appropriate) and his Roman citizenship (respect for imperial authority). This statement is critical as it showcases Paul's understanding of his identity as a follower of Christ who nevertheless respects and, where possible, abides by both religious tradition and civil law. His mission to spread the Gospel was not about tearing down existing structures unnecessarily but fulfilling them through Christ. His repeated assertion of innocence also implicitly indicts his accusers for bearing false witness and persecuting him without cause, demonstrating that the real conflict was spiritual, over the nature of salvation through Christ, rather than actual criminal acts.