Acts 28:18

18 When they had examined me, they ¹wished to set me at liberty, ²because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

Acts 28:18 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 28:18

Who when they had examined me
About the things laid to his charge, had heard what his accusers had to object to him, and the defence he made for himself:

would have let [me] go;
released him from his bonds, and set him at liberty to go where he pleased:

because there was no cause of death in me;
no crime proved upon him, which was worthy of death; and this was the sense of Lysias the chief captain, and of Felix and Festus the Roman governors, and of King Agrippa.

Acts 28:18 In-Context

16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier that guarded him.

17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar--though I had no charge to bring against my nation.

20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain."

Cross References

• 1. Acts 26:31, 32
• 2. See Acts 23:29