Acts 26:32
What does Acts 26:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 26:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 26:32 means
Agrippa concludes that Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Cæsar. Legally, the appeal binds Festus to send Paul to Rome. Humanly, it seems an unfortunate technicality; spiritually, it fulfills God’s purpose to carry the gospel to the heart of the empire. Paul’s path is not determined by whim but by providence. His innocence is affirmed, yet he remains a prisoner for the sake of the mission. The verdict closes the Caesarean phase and opens the door to the next stage, where Paul will testify about the risen Christ before new audiences, in keeping with the Lord’s promise and commission.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Agrippa said unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cesar.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Agrippa said unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been made free, if he had not put his cause before Caesar.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Agrippa said to Festus, `This man might have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Agrippa said to Festus: This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been let go if he had not appealed to Caesar.
Context
This final verse wraps up the tribunal’s conclusion. With innocence acknowledged (v.31) and the legal appeal noted (v.32), the scene transitions to the journey to Rome that follows. The chapter thus ends with tension resolved legally but extended missionally. Paul will go to Rome not as a criminal but as a witness under guard, continuing to proclaim the Christ who suffered, rose, and brings light to both the people and the Gentiles.
v.31and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
v.32This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 28:18
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.
- 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.
- Acts 25:11
If 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.
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