Acts 25:11
New International Version
If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

New Living Translation
If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!”

English Standard Version
If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

Berean Standard Bible
If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore if indeed I do wrong and have done anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is nothing of which they can accuse me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

King James Bible
For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

New King James Version
For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

New American Standard Bible
If, therefore, I am in the wrong and have committed something deserving death, I am not trying to avoid execution; but if there is nothing to the accusations which these men are bringing against me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

NASB 1995
“If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

NASB 1977
“If then I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

Legacy Standard Bible
If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

Amplified Bible
Therefore, if I am guilty and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not try to escape death; but if there is nothing to the accusations which these men are bringing against me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar (Emperor Nero).”

Christian Standard Bible
If then I did anything wrong and am deserving of death, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar! ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If then I am doing wrong, or have done anything deserving of death, I do not refuse to die, but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

American Standard Version
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 C�sar.

Contemporary English Version
If I had done something deserving death, I would not ask to escape the death penalty. But I am not guilty of any of these crimes, and no one has the right to hand me over to these people. I now ask to be tried by the Emperor himself."

English Revised Version
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 Caesar.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If I am guilty and have done something wrong for which I deserve the death penalty, I don't reject the idea of dying. But if their accusations are untrue, no one can hand me over to them as a favor. I appeal my case to the emperor!"

Good News Translation
If I have broken the law and done something for which I deserve the death penalty, I do not ask to escape it. But if there is no truth in the charges they bring against me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to the Emperor."

International Standard Version
If I'm guilty and have done something that deserves death, I'm willing to die. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can hand me over to them as a favor. I appeal to the emperor!"

Majority Standard Bible
If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!?

NET Bible
If then I am in the wrong and have done anything that deserves death, I am not trying to escape dying, but if not one of their charges against me is true, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

New Heart English Bible
For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar."

Webster's Bible Translation
For if I am an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there is none of these things of which these accuse me, no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Cesar.

Weymouth New Testament
If, however, I have done wrong and have committed any offence for which I deserve to die, I do not ask to be excused that penalty. But if there is no truth in what these men allege against me, no one has the right to give me up to them as a favour. I appeal to Caesar."

World English Bible
For if I have done wrong and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for if I am indeed unrighteous, and have done anything worthy of death, I do not deprecate to die; and if there is none of the things of which these accuse me, no one is able to make a favor of me to them; I appeal to Caesar!”

Berean Literal Bible
Therefore if indeed I do wrong and have done anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is nothing of which they can accuse me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

Young's Literal Translation
for if indeed I am unrighteous, and anything worthy of death have done, I deprecate not to die; and if there is none of the things of which these accuse me, no one is able to make a favour of me to them; to Caesar I appeal!'

Smith's Literal Translation
For if truly I act with injustice, and have done anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be nothing of which these accuse me, no one can yield me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For if I have injured them, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if there be none of these things whereof they accuse me, no man may deliver me to them: I appeal to Caesar.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For if I have harmed them, or if I have done anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying. But if there is nothing to these things about which they accuse me, no one is able to deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

New American Bible
If I have committed a crime or done anything deserving death, I do not seek to escape the death penalty; but if there is no substance to the charges they are bringing against me, then no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

New Revised Standard Version
Now if I am in the wrong and have committed something for which I deserve to die, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can turn me over to them. I appeal to the emperor.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If I had committed any crime or had done anything worthy of death, I should not refuse to die: but if there is no truth in the charges made against me, then no man may deliver me to them just to please them. I appeal to Cæsar.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“If any offense was done by me or anything worthy of death, I do not excuse myself from death, but if there is nothing to these things of which they accuse me, no man may give me to them as a gift. I call for an appeal to Caesar.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
If, however, I be an offender, and have done any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if the things of which these men accuse me are nothing, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.

Godbey New Testament
If therefore I indeed am guilty of unrighteousness, and have done anything worthy of death, I do not ask not to die: but if nothing of these things of which they accuse me is true, no man is able to gratify them (by my death): I appeal unto Caesar.

Haweis New Testament
For indeed if I have committed any crime, or done aught worthy of death, I object not to be put to death: but if there is nothing in those things whereof they accuse me, no man dare gratify them by abandoning me to them.

Mace New Testament
if I am guilty of any capital crime, I am contented to die, but since their accusations are all groundless, that I may not be sacrificed to their humour, I appeal to Cesar."

Weymouth New Testament
If, however, I have done wrong and have committed any offence for which I deserve to die, I do not ask to be excused that penalty. But if there is no truth in what these men allege against me, no one has the right to give me up to them as a favour. I appeal to Caesar."

Worrell New Testament
If, therefore, I am a wrong-doer, and have perpetrated anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but, if there is nothing in the things of which these accuse me, no one can deliver me as a favor to them. I appeal to Caesar."

Worsley New Testament
For if I am indeed doing them wrong, and have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be nothing in what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Appeal to Caesar
10Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 12Then Festus conferred with his council and replied, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”…

Cross References
Acts 22:25-29
But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?” / On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander. “What are you going to do?” he said. “This man is a Roman citizen.” / The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes,” he answered. ...

Acts 16:37-39
But Paul said to the officers, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!” / So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. / They came to appease them and led them out, requesting that they leave the city.

Acts 28:19
But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation.

Acts 23:27-30
This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen, / and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin. / I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment. ...

Acts 24:10-21
When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense. / You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. / Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city. ...

Acts 26:31-32
On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” / And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Acts 9:15
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.

Acts 21:39
But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.”

Acts 22:1
“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”

Acts 23:11
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”

Acts 24:24-27
After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. / As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.” / At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him. ...

Acts 26:1-3
Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: / “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews, / especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.

Acts 27:24
and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’

Acts 19:21
After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”

Acts 20:22-23
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. / I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me.


Treasury of Scripture

For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.

if I.

Acts 18:14
And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

Joshua 22:22
The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)

1 Samuel 12:3-5
Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you…

no man.

Acts 16:37
But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

Acts 22:25
And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

1 Thessalonians 2:15
Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

I appeal.

Acts 25:10,25
Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest…

Acts 26:32
Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

Acts 28:19
But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

Jump to Previous
Accuse Allege Appeal Caesar Cesar Charges Committed Death Deliver Deserve Deserving Die Escape Excused Favour Guilty Hand However Offence Offender Penalty Refuse Right Seek True. Truth Whereof Worthy Wrong Wrongdoer Wrong-Doer
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Accuse Allege Appeal Caesar Cesar Charges Committed Death Deliver Deserve Deserving Die Escape Excused Favour Guilty Hand However Offence Offender Penalty Refuse Right Seek True. Truth Whereof Worthy Wrong Wrongdoer Wrong-Doer
Acts 25
1. The Jews accuse Paul before Festus.
8. He answers for himself,
11. and appeals unto Caesar.
14. Afterwards Festus opens his matter to king Agrippa;
23. and he is brought forth.
25. Festus clears him of having done anything worthy of death.














If, however, I am guilty of anything deserving death
The phrase begins with a conditional statement, "If, however," which indicates Paul's willingness to submit to justice if he is truly guilty. The Greek word for "guilty" is "adikeō," meaning to do wrong or commit an injustice. Paul is asserting his innocence, yet he acknowledges the gravity of the charges, which could warrant the death penalty. This reflects his integrity and respect for the law, even under false accusations. Historically, Roman law was strict, and capital punishment was a real threat. Paul’s statement shows his confidence in his innocence and his faith in God’s justice.

I do not refuse to die
Paul's declaration, "I do not refuse to die," underscores his courage and readiness to face the ultimate consequence if he were truly guilty. The Greek word "apothnēskō" means to die or to face death. Paul’s willingness to accept death rather than compromise his integrity is a testament to his unwavering faith and commitment to Christ. This echoes the Christian belief in the afterlife and the hope of resurrection, which empowers believers to face death without fear.

But if there is nothing to their charges against me
Here, Paul challenges the validity of the accusations. The phrase "nothing to their charges" suggests a complete lack of evidence or basis for the accusations. The Greek word "katēgoria" refers to an accusation or charge. Paul is confident that the charges are baseless, reflecting his trust in God’s protection and justice. This also highlights the importance of truth and justice in Christian doctrine, where false accusations are condemned.

no one can hand me over to them
Paul asserts his rights as a Roman citizen, stating that "no one can hand me over to them." The phrase "hand me over" comes from the Greek "charizomai," meaning to grant or give over. Paul is invoking his legal rights to prevent an unjust transfer to the Jewish authorities who sought his death. This reflects the historical context of Roman citizenship, which provided certain legal protections. Paul’s knowledge and use of his rights demonstrate the importance of wisdom and discernment in navigating legal and societal systems.

I appeal to Caesar!
The climax of the verse is Paul's bold declaration, "I appeal to Caesar!" The Greek word "epikaleomai" means to call upon or appeal. By appealing to Caesar, Paul is exercising his right as a Roman citizen to have his case heard by the emperor. This appeal was a legal procedure available to Roman citizens, reflecting the structured legal system of the Roman Empire. Spiritually, this appeal signifies Paul’s trust in God’s sovereignty, using the legal system to further the gospel. It also foreshadows his journey to Rome, where he would continue to witness for Christ. This act of appealing to Caesar is a profound example of using one's rights and opportunities to advance God's kingdom.

(11) No man may deliver me unto them.--Literally, no man may give me up to them as a favour. The words show that he saw through the simulated fairness of the procurator, and did not shrink from showing that he did so.

I appeal unto Caesar.--The history of this right of appeal affords a singular illustration of the manner in which the republic had been transformed into a despotic monarchy. Theoretically the emperor was but the imperator, or commander-in-chief of the armies of the state, appointed by the senate, and acting under its direction. Consuls were still elected every year, and went through the shadowy functions of their office. Many of the provinces (see Notes on Acts 13:7; Acts 18:12), were directly under the control of the senate, and were accordingly governed by proconsuls. But Augustus had contrived to concentrate in himself all the powers that in the days of the republic had checked and balanced the exercise of individual authority. He was supreme pontiff, and as such regulated the religion of the state; permanent censor, and as such could give or recall the privileges of citizenship at his pleasure. The Tribunicia potestas, which had originally been conferred on the tribunes of the plebs so that they might protect members of their order who appealed to them against the injustice of patrician magistrates, was attached to his office. As such he became the final Court of Appeal from all subordinate tribunals, and so, by a subtle artifice, what had been intended as a safeguard to freedom became the instrument of a centralised tyranny. With this aspect of the matter St. Paul had, of course, nothing to do. It was enough for him that by this appeal he delivered himself from the injustice of a weak and temporising judge, and made his long-delayed journey to Rome a matter of moral certainty.

Verse 11. - If then I am a wrong, doer for for if I be an offender, A.V. and T.R.; and for or, A.V.; if none of those things is true for if there be none of these things, A.V.; can give me up for may deliver me, A.V. I refuse not; οὐ παραιτοῦμαι. Here only in the Acts, and three times in Luke 14. Elsewhere, four times in the pastoral Epistles, and twice in Hebrews. Frequent in classical Greek. No man can give me up (χαρίσασθαι); as ver. 16, "to hand over as a matter of complaisance." St. Paul saw at once the danger he was in from Festus's inclination to curry favor with the Jews. With his usual fearlessness, therefore, and perhaps with the same quickness of temper which made him call Ananias "a whited wall," he said, "No man (not even the mighty Roman governor) may make me over to them at their request, to please them," and with the ready wit which characterized him, and with a knowledge of the rights which the Lex Julia, in addition to other laws, conferred on him as a Roman citizen, he immediately added, I appeal unto Caesar.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If,
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

however,
μὲν (men)
Conjunction
Strong's 3303: A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de.

I am guilty
ἀδικῶ (adikō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 91: To act unjustly towards, injure, harm. From adikos; to be unjust, i.e. do wrong.

[of]
πέπραχά (pepracha)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4238: To do, perform, accomplish; be in any condition, i.e. I fare; I exact, require.

anything
τι (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

worthy
ἄξιον (axion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 514: Worthy, worthy of, deserving, comparable, suitable. Probably from ago; deserving, comparable or suitable.

of death,
θανάτου (thanatou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288: Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.

I do not refuse
παραιτοῦμαι (paraitoumai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3868: From para and the middle voice of aiteo; to beg off, i.e. Deprecate, decline, shun.

to die.
ἀποθανεῖν (apothanein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 599: To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

there is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

no
οὐδέν (ouden)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

[truth]
ὧν (hōn)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

to their
οὗτοι (houtoi)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

accusations
κατηγοροῦσίν (katēgorousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2723: To accuse, charge, prosecute. From kategoros; to be a plaintiff, i.e. To charge with some offence.

against me,
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

no one
οὐδείς (oudeis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

can
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

hand me over
χαρίσασθαι (charisasthai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Middle
Strong's 5483: (a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.

to them.
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

I appeal
ἐπικαλοῦμαι (epikaloumai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1941: (a) To call (name) by a supplementary (additional, alternative) name, (b) mid: To call upon, appeal to, address.

to Caesar!?
Καίσαρα (Kaisara)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2541: Of Latin origin; Caesar, a title of the Roman emperor.


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