Acts 28:18
What does Acts 28:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 28:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 28:18 means
Paul reports that Roman authorities examined him and wished to release him, finding no capital offense. This underscores both his innocence and Rome’s relative fairness in his case. Luke often shows that Christian witness is not inherently subversive to civil order. The apostle’s chains, then, are not due to proven crimes but to opposition from some of his own people. Paul wants the Roman Jewish leaders to see that his appeal to Cæsar was not driven by guilt but by necessity. Clearing this ground allows him to focus attention on the theological heart of the matter—the fulfillment of Israel’s hope in Jesus, which he will shortly present.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who, when they had put questions to me, were ready to let me go free, because there was no cause of death in me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who, having examined me, were wishing to release <FI>me<Fi> , because of their being no cause of death in me,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who having examined me were minded to let me go, because there was nothing worthy of death in me.
Context
Continuing his explanation (v. 17), Paul now states that Roman examinations found no cause for the death penalty (v. 18). In verse 19 he notes that Jewish opposition forced his appeal to Cæsar, though he harbors no accusations against his nation. Verse 20 will move from legal defense to spiritual explanation, as Paul says he is bound because of the hope of Israel, preparing for the leaders’ reply in verses 21–22.
v.17And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans:
v.18This passage
v.19But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my nation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 22:24
the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so shouted against him.
- Acts 24:10
And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defence:
- Acts 26:31
and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
- Acts 23:29
whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
- Acts 22:30
But on the morrow, desiring to know the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
- Acts 25:7
And 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;
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