Acts 28 18

Acts 28:18 kjv

Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

Acts 28:18 nkjv

who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.

Acts 28:18 niv

They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.

Acts 28:18 esv

When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

Acts 28:18 nlt

The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.

Acts 28 verses

Acts 28 18 Meaning

Acts 28:18 explains that despite multiple investigations by Roman officials in Judea, they found no valid legal reason to sentence Paul to death. Consequently, these officials desired to release him. This statement emphasizes Paul's innocence from the perspective of Roman law, establishing that his ongoing imprisonment was not due to criminal activity but rather stemmed from the persistent opposition of some Jewish leaders who rejected his preaching of Jesus Christ.

Acts 28 18 Context

Acts chapter 28 recounts the final leg of Paul’s journey to Rome, his arrival, and his initial interactions with the Jewish community there. Paul, though a prisoner, lives under house arrest, able to receive visitors. This particular verse (Acts 28:18) is part of Paul's explanation to the leading Jews in Rome concerning why he, a Jew himself, arrived as a prisoner and sought to appeal to Caesar. He reiterates the consistent finding of his innocence by various Roman officials (Felix, Festus, King Agrippa II) in Judea, confirming that his imprisonment and subsequent appeal were forced upon him not by legitimate legal infractions, but by the relentless opposition of some Jews back in Jerusalem who falsely accused him concerning "the hope of Israel" (Acts 28:20). The historical context reveals Roman legal processes and Paul’s unwavering commitment to preach the gospel even while enduring bonds for the sake of Christ and His kingdom.

Acts 28 18 Word analysis

• who, when they had examined me: The pronoun "they" (οἵτινες - hoitines) refers to the Roman officials, specifically Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa II, who presided over Paul's previous trials in Judea (Acts 23-26). The word "examined" (ἀνακρίναντες - anakrinantes, from anakrinō) signifies a thorough, judicial investigation, inquiry, or examination. This implies that Paul's innocence was not a superficial judgment but a conclusion reached after due legal process.
• desired to set me at liberty: "Desired" (ἐβούλοντο - eboulonto, from boulomai) denotes a deliberate will or intention, suggesting a judicial decision had been reached to release him. "Set me at liberty" (ἀπολῦσαί με - apolysai me) means to release, acquit, or dismiss. This highlights the consistent finding of his blamelessness in the eyes of Roman law, a testament to his proper conduct.
• because there was no cause of death in me: "No cause of death" (μηδεμίαν αἰτίαν θανάτου - mēdemian aitian thanatou) directly translates to "no cause worthy of death," implying no capital offense. This is a crucial declaration that Roman law found Paul innocent of any crime warranting the death penalty, or even prolonged imprisonment based on his alleged actions. This legal finding contrasts sharply with the Jewish leaders' persistent accusations of sedition, profanation, or heresy, implicitly nullifying their charges in the Roman legal framework. The Roman verdict thus highlights that Paul's persecution was solely for religious, not criminal, reasons.

Acts 28 18 Bonus section

The repeated Roman declarations of Paul's innocence throughout his trials (by Lysias, Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, as implicitly stated here) serve a significant apologetic purpose for Luke's original audience, both Roman and Jewish. For Roman readers, it demonstrated that Christianity was not a subversive or seditious movement that threatened Roman peace and order, thus discrediting the Jewish charges against Paul (and by extension, Christians). For Jewish readers, it underscored the baseless nature of the accusations against Paul, suggesting that his persecution stemmed from blind religious prejudice rather than true legal or theological error. This continuous vindication of Paul's character by gentile authorities adds strong credibility to his testimony and mission, showcasing how divine sovereignty can utilize secular legal systems to fulfill His purposes.

Acts 28 18 Commentary

Acts 28:18 serves as a concise summary of the repeated legal vindication of Paul by various Roman governors. It powerfully asserts that Paul was consistently found innocent of any capital crime under Roman law. This verse underscores that Paul's arrest and appeal to Caesar were not due to any legitimate wrongdoing on his part, but rather to the malicious and unfounded accusations brought against him by fellow Jews who rejected his message about Christ. The Roman desire to release him, despite their subsequent inability due to his appeal, confirms Paul’s status as a prisoner of conscience, whose suffering was truly "for the hope of Israel," meaning for the fulfillment of God’s promises in Jesus the Messiah. This further legitimized Paul’s ministry and illustrated God's providence in allowing him to reach Rome as a witness, even in chains. His innocent suffering parallels that of Christ, reinforcing the legitimacy of his gospel message.