Acts 25:11
What does Acts 25:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 25:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 25:11 means
Paul declares that if he has committed a capital offense, he does not refuse to die; but if the accusations are false, no one has the right to hand him over. Then he says the decisive words: “I appeal unto Cæsar.” This shows remarkable integrity—accepting just punishment if guilty—and strong confidence in his innocence. It also displays wise use of citizenship rights. Beyond legal strategy, this moment aligns with God’s design to bring Paul to Rome. The apostle does not manipulate the system; he submits to it, trusting that true justice and the advance of the gospel will meet under God’s sovereign care.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cesar.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If, then, I am a wrongdoer and there is a cause of death in me, I am ready for death: if it is not as they say against me, no man may give me up to them. Let my cause come before Caesar.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for if indeed I am unrighteous, and anything worthy of death have done, I deprecate not to die; and if there is none of the things of which these accuse me, no one is able to make a favour of me to them; to Caesar I appeal!'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For if I have injured them or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if there be none of these things whereof they accuse me, no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If then I have done any wrong and committed anything worthy of death, I do not deprecate dying; but if there is nothing of those things of which they accuse me, no man can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.
Context
Coming immediately after verse 10, Paul now formalizes his course of action. Festus had wavered under pressure to shift venues (verse 9), despite unproven charges (verse 7). Paul’s appeal removes the decision from local politics and places it before the emperor. In verse 12 Festus confers with his council and then confirms the appeal. This resolution halts further local adjudication. The rest of the chapter will show how Festus seeks help from Agrippa to frame charges for Rome, revealing that even the governor struggles to articulate a crime against Paul.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 25:10
But Paul said, I am standing before Cæsar’s judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest.
- Acts 22:25
And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
- Acts 28:19
But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my nation.
- Acts 25:25
But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15
who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and please not God, and are contrary to all men;
- Acts 18:14
But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
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