Acts 25 9

Acts 25:9 kjv

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

Acts 25:9 nkjv

But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?"

Acts 25:9 niv

Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?"

Acts 25:9 esv

But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?"

Acts 25:9 nlt

Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, "Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?"

Acts 25 verses

Acts 25 9 Meaning

The Apostle Paul, facing a charge by the Jewish leaders, offers to stand trial in Caesarea before the Roman governor Felix. He asks if they have any accusations against him, proposing this as a way to avoid further accusations being made against him in Judea, where Roman authority was less settled and Jewish influence potentially more volatile.

Acts 25 9 Context

Following his arrest in Jerusalem and subsequent hearings in Caesarea before Felix, the Jewish leaders continued their efforts to have Paul condemned. Festus, the new governor, had arrived and was presented with their case. Instead of dismissing the charges immediately or ruling definitively, Festus agreed to hear the case again in Jerusalem. This presented a significant danger to Paul, as the Jewish authorities had plotted to kill him on the journey. To circumvent this perilous plan and to seek a fairer hearing, Paul invoked his rights as a Roman citizen, appealing his case to the Emperor Caesar. This verse marks a crucial turning point in Paul's journey, as his appeal to Caesar sets in motion his eventual voyage to Rome.

Acts 25 9 Word analysis

• "I": Refers to the Apostle Paul.
• "will not appeal": Emphatic refusal to lodge another complaint or prosecution.
• "to Caesar": The Emperor of Rome, indicating an appeal to the highest legal authority.
• "but": Introduces a condition or alternative proposal.
• "to you myself": Suggests a personal, direct confrontation before the governor.
• "if then": A conditional phrase introducing the proposed action.
• "you yourself": Emphasizing that Festus should personally hear the case.
• "will bring me": A request for Paul to be transferred or brought before Festus.
• "whether": Poses a question, indicating uncertainty or seeking clarification.
• "I have committed": Concerning any wrongful act.
• "anything worthy": Of a specific judgment or punishment.
• "of death": The ultimate penalty, signifying the gravity of the accusations.
• "or": Presenting alternative possibilities.
• "thing": Any act or deed.
• "false": Untrue, lacking validity.
• "these": Referring to the Jewish accusers.
• "accuse": To bring formal charges against someone.
• "me": Paul himself.
• "do you": This implies Festus's authority and decision.
• "find": To discover or establish proof.
• "in them": Within the accusations brought by the Jewish leaders.
• "no": Expressing absolute denial.
• "reason": A valid justification or grounds.
• "of crime": An offense against the law.
• "truly": Indeed, in truth.
• "worthy": Deserving, meriting.
• "punishment": Retribution or consequence for an action.
• "Let": An expression of permission or a suggestion.
• "them": The Jewish leaders who are accusing Paul.
• "all": Every single one of them.
• "be brought": Summoned or presented.
• "before": In the presence of.
• "you": Festus.
• "if": Introducing a condition.
• "this": Referring to the proposition Paul is making.
• "there is": Evidence or substance.
• "not": Negation.
• "that": A conjunction introducing a clause.
• "which": Pertaining to the matter at hand.
• "these": The accusers.
• "bring": To present or submit.
• "against": In opposition to.
• "me": Paul.
• "I": Paul.
• "do not refuse": Will not object.
• "to suffer": To undergo or endure.
• "death": The cessation of life.

Phrase/Passage/Words Group Analysis:

• "If then I have offended or have done anything worthy of death,": This is a conditional statement where Paul accepts the possibility of having committed a capital offense. It demonstrates his integrity and willingness to face the consequences if guilt could be proven.
• "I do not refuse to die;": This powerfully affirms his acceptance of Roman justice if his alleged crimes warranted death, a stark contrast to his accusers' likely agenda.
• "but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me,": Paul directly challenges the validity and truthfulness of the charges brought against him by the Jewish leaders.
• "no man may deliver me unto them.": This phrase emphasizes that if the accusations are baseless, neither Festus nor anyone else should be able to hand him over to his persecutors, implying they seek an unlawful condemnation.
• "I appeal unto Caesar.": This is a definitive statement of Paul exercising his Roman citizenship right of appeal, elevating the trial from the provincial governor to the Emperor himself. This was a significant legal maneuver to escape his present danger.

Acts 25 9 Bonus Section

The act of appealing to Caesar (Latin: provocatio ad Caesarem) was a fundamental right granted to Roman citizens, as codified in laws like the Lex Porcia. This right prevented citizens from being summarily punished without a trial before a competent authority, and later, an appeal to the Emperor. This right was a crucial protection against potential abuses of power by provincial governors or local magistrates. Paul's invocation of this right was not an admission of guilt, but rather a legal strategy to ensure a fair hearing and to circumvent the potentially biased local administration and the persistent machinations of his Jewish adversaries who clearly sought his death rather than justice. His statement also indirectly accuses Festus and the Jewish leaders of fabricating charges.

Acts 25 9 Commentary

Paul, by his appeal to Caesar, demonstrated both shrewdness and faith. He was not naive about the political landscape. He understood that Felix was likely biased and that the Jewish leadership in Judea would continue their attempts to have him killed. Appealing to Caesar removed the trial from their immediate sphere of influence and placed it in the hands of Roman law at the highest level. This also aligns with the divine plan for Paul to reach Rome and preach the Gospel there. While he did not initiate a new appeal in this specific instance, he is essentially reiterating his appeal already made. This shows his continued reliance on Roman legal protections afforded to him as a citizen, but it also reflects a broader trust in God’s sovereign hand guiding his circumstances. His statement that if he has done anything worthy of death, he is willing to die, shows his moral uprightness and commitment to truth, not seeking escape through evasion but through proper legal process.