Acts 28:18

18 When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because 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 When we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 Three days later he called together the local leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, "Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, yet I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

18 When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to the emperor—even 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 for the sake of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain."

Footnotes

• [a]. Gk [they]