Acts 25:8
What does Acts 25:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 25:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 25:8 means
Paul’s defense is crisp and comprehensive: he has not sinned against the law of the Jews, the temple, or Cæsar. He addresses the full range of accusations—religious, ceremonial, and political. This shows Paul’s integrity as a Jew and as a Roman citizen. His message about Jesus does not make him a lawbreaker or a rebel. Rather, he maintains a clean conscience before God and the state. The triple denial underscores that the gospel does not subvert rightful authority or desecrate holy things. In Christ, Paul honors both God’s law rightly understood and civil authority rightly exercised, and thus stands innocent before this court.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000while Paul said in his defence, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cæsar, have I sinned at all.
KJV
King James Version · 1611While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended any thing at all.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901while Paul said in his defence, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cæsar, have I sinned at all.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Paul, in his answer to them, said, I have done no wrong against the law of the Jews, or against the Temple, or against Caesar.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862he making defence--`Neither in regard to the law of the Jews, nor in regard to the temple, nor in regard to Caesar--did I commit any sin.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Paul making answer for himself: Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended in any thing.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Paul answering for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended [in] anything.
Context
After many unproven charges (verse 7), Paul responds with a succinct denial touching every alleged category of offense. This sets a legal baseline: there is no substantiated crime here. Nonetheless, Festus, seeking favor with the Jews, suggests a transfer to Jerusalem (verse 9). That proposition threatens Paul’s safety and undercuts clear due process. Consequently, Paul will assert his rights as a Roman citizen and demand judgment at Cæsar’s tribunal (verses 10–11). The clarity of verse 8 strengthens the logic of the appeal and exposes the political pressure influencing Festus.
v.7And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove;
v.8This passage
v.9But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 6:22
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
- Acts 24:12
and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.
- 2 Corinthians 1:12
For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
- Genesis 40:15
for indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.
- 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 24:6
who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold:
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