Acts 25:26

What does Acts 25:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 25:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 25:26 means

Festus admits he has nothing definite to write to his lord about Paul. Therefore he has brought Paul before this gathering, especially before King Agrippa, so that after examination he may have something to report. This is administrative honesty and practical problem-solving. It also shows how God arranges hearings for the gospel under the cover of bureaucratic necessity. Festus needs words; Agrippa may supply categories. Meanwhile, Paul will supply the truth about Jesus. The verse illustrates how human perplexity becomes a platform for divine proclamation, ensuring that when Paul is sent, his case will be understood as fundamentally about Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But I have no certain account of him to send to Caesar. So I have sent for him to come before you, and specially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the business has been gone into, I may have something to put in writing.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

concerning whom I have no certain thing to write to <FI>my<Fi> lord, wherefore I brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that the examination having been made, I may have something to write;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Of whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. For which cause, I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, examination being made, I may have what to write.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

concerning whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. Wherefore I have brought him before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, so that an examination having been gone into I may have something to write:

Context

Continuing his address, Festus gives the reason for this elaborate hearing: help in drafting a proper report for the emperor. Verse 26 bridges Festus’ finding of no capital offense (verse 25) and his assertion in verse 27 that it is unreasonable to send a prisoner without specifying charges. The logic sets up Agrippa’s role in the next chapter, where Paul’s testimony will be heard in detail. The context clarifies that the present meeting is exploratory and explanatory, not a trial seeking a verdict.

v.25But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.

v.26This passage

v.27For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 26:2

    I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defence before thee this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews:

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