Acts 25:19
New International Version
Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.

New Living Translation
Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.

English Standard Version
Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.

Berean Standard Bible
They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Berean Literal Bible
But they had certain questions against him concerning their own religion and concerning a certain Jesus having been dead, whom Paul was affirming to be alive.

King James Bible
But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

New King James Version
but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

New American Standard Bible
but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive.

NASB 1995
but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive.

NASB 1977
but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a certain dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive.

Legacy Standard Bible
but they had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, a dead man whom Paul asserted to be alive.

Amplified Bible
instead they had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about one Jesus, a man who had died, but whom Paul kept asserting and insisting [over and over] to be alive.

Christian Standard Bible
Instead they had some disagreements with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, a dead man Paul claimed to be alive.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Instead they had some disagreements with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, a dead man Paul claimed to be alive.

American Standard Version
but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Contemporary English Version
Instead, they argued with him about some of their beliefs and about a dead man named Jesus, who Paul said was alive.

English Revised Version
but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They were disputing with him about their own religion and about some man named Jesus who had died. But Paul claimed that Jesus is alive.

Good News Translation
All they had were some arguments with him about their own religion and about a man named Jesus, who has died; but Paul claims that he is alive.

International Standard Version
Instead, they had several arguments with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died—but Paul kept asserting he was alive.

Majority Standard Bible
They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

NET Bible
Rather they had several points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a man named Jesus who was dead, whom Paul claimed to be alive.

New Heart English Bible
but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Webster's Bible Translation
But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Weymouth New Testament
But they quarrelled with him about certain matters connected with their own religion, and about one Jesus who had died, but--so Paul persistently maintained--is now alive.

World English Bible
but had certain questions against him about their own religion and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
but certain questions concerning their own religion they had against him, and concerning a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive;

Berean Literal Bible
But they had certain questions against him concerning their own religion and concerning a certain Jesus having been dead, whom Paul was affirming to be alive.

Young's Literal Translation
but certain questions concerning their own religion they had against him, and concerning a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive;

Smith's Literal Translation
But had certain questions of their own superstition against him, and of a certain Jesus, having died, whom Paul declared living.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But had certain questions of their own superstition against him, and of one Jesus deceased, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Instead, they brought against him certain disputes about their own superstition and about a certain Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.

New American Bible
Instead they had some issues with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus who had died but who Paul claimed was alive.

New Revised Standard Version
Instead they had certain points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But they had certain grievances against him relative to their own worship and to one named Jesus, now dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But they had inquiries of one thing or another about their religion and about Yeshua, a man who had died, who Paulus was saying is alive.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
but they had certain questions against him, about their own religion, and about a certain Jesus that had died, who, Paul affirmed, was alive.

Godbey New Testament
but they had certain questions against him concerning their own religion, and about a certain Jesus, who is dead, whom Paul was saying that He is alive.

Haweis New Testament
but only pleaded against him certain disputes about their own mode of religious worship, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Mace New Testament
they objected certain articles that related only to their superstition, and to one Jesus that was dead, but Paul asserted he was alive.

Weymouth New Testament
But they quarrelled with him about certain matters connected with their own religion, and about one Jesus who had died, but--so Paul persistently maintained--is now alive.

Worrell New Testament
but certain questions concerning their peculiar religion they had against him, and concerning a certain Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Worsley New Testament
but had certain questions against him concerning their own religion; and of one Jesus that was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Festus Consults King Agrippa
18But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20Since I was at a loss as to how to investigate these matters, I asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there on these charges.…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? / If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. / And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith. ...

Romans 1:3-4
regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, / and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

2 Timothy 2:8
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David, as proclaimed by my gospel,

Philippians 3:10-11
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, / and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. / And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Matthew 22:31-32
But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what God said to you: / ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

Luke 24:5-7
As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? / He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: / ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’”

Acts 17:31
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

Acts 2:24
But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.

Acts 13:30-37
But God raised Him from the dead, / and for many days He was seen by those who had accompanied Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people. / And now we proclaim to you the good news: What God promised our fathers ...

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, / that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Romans 6:4-5
We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life. / For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.

John 20:27-29
Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” / Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” / Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Mark 12:26-27
But concerning the dead rising, have you not read about the burning bush in the Book of Moses, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? / He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”


Treasury of Scripture

But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

certain.

Acts 25:7
And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

Acts 18:15,19
But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters

Acts 23:29
Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

superstition.

Acts 17:22,23
Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious…

which.

Acts 1:22
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Acts 2:32
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Acts 17:31
Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

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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.














They only had a dispute
The phrase "They only had a dispute" indicates a legal or theological disagreement. The Greek word for "dispute" is "zētēma," which often refers to a controversial question or debate. In the context of Acts, this highlights the nature of the conflict between Paul and the Jewish leaders, which was not about civil law but about religious interpretation and belief. This underscores the early Christian experience of being misunderstood and misrepresented by both Jewish and Roman authorities.

with him
The "him" refers to the Apostle Paul, who was central to the spread of Christianity in the first century. Paul's background as a Pharisee and his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) made him a unique and controversial figure. His teachings often challenged traditional Jewish beliefs, leading to frequent disputes.

about their own religion
The phrase "about their own religion" points to the Jewish faith, which was the context for the dispute. The Greek word "thrēskeia" is used here, which can mean religion, worship, or religious practice. This highlights the internal nature of the conflict, as it was not about Roman law but about interpretations of Jewish law and prophecy, particularly concerning the Messiah.

and about a certain Jesus
The mention of "a certain Jesus" refers to Jesus of Nazareth, whose life, death, and resurrection are central to Christian belief. The use of "certain" in this context may reflect the Roman governor Festus's unfamiliarity with Jesus, indicating that Jesus was not widely known outside Jewish circles at the time. This also emphasizes the early stage of Christianity's spread beyond Jewish communities.

who had died
The phrase "who had died" acknowledges the historical fact of Jesus' crucifixion, a central event in Christian theology. The death of Jesus is crucial because it is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the means of atonement for sin. The acknowledgment of Jesus' death by both Jewish and Roman authorities lends historical credibility to the Gospel accounts.

but whom Paul affirmed to be alive
The phrase "but whom Paul affirmed to be alive" is a declaration of the resurrection, a cornerstone of Christian faith. The Greek word "zōnta" (alive) is used here, emphasizing the belief in Jesus' bodily resurrection. Paul's affirmation is based on his personal encounter with the risen Christ and is a testimony to the transformative power of the resurrection. This belief was radical and counter-cultural, challenging both Jewish and Roman worldviews and serving as the foundation for the hope and mission of the early Church.

(19) Certain questions against him of their own superstition.--The word is of the same import as that used by St. Paul in Acts 17:22 (where see Note), and the use here shows its comparatively neutral character. Festus was speaking to a Jewish king, and would not knowingly have used an offensive term. He falls back, accordingly, upon one which an outsider might use of any local religion which he did not himself accept. What follows shows that he looked on St. Paul as not merely affirming, with other Pharisees, the general doctrine of a resurrection, but as connecting it with the specific witness that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Verse 19. - Religion for superstition, A.V.; who for which, A.V. Certain questions ζήτηματα); Acts 15:2; Acts 18:15; Acts 23:29, etc. Religion (δεισιδαιμονία); see Acts 17:22, δεισιδαιμονεστέρους, where there is the same doubt as here whether to take it in a good sense or a bad one. Here, as Festus, a man of the world, was speaking to a king who was a Jew, he is not likely to have intended to use an offensive phrase. So it is best to render it "religion," as the R.V. does. But Bishop Wordsworth renders τῆς ἰδίας δεισιδαιμονίας his own superstition, Paul's, which agrees with the context. These details must have been among those "complaints" spoken of in ver. 7. Whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Notice the stress constantly laid by the apostle upon the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. If his own superstition is the right rendering, we have here the nature of it, in Festus's view, belief in the resurrection of Jesus.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They only had
εἶχον (eichon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

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

contentions
ζητήματα (zētēmata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2213: A question, subject of inquiry, dispute. From zeteo; a search, i.e. a debate.

with
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
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.

regarding
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

[their]
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

own
ἰδίας (idias)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.

religion
δεισιδαιμονίας (deisidaimonias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1175: Religion in general; in a bad sense: superstition. From the same as deisidaimonesteros; religion.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a certain
τινος (tinos)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

[who] had died,
τεθνηκότος (tethnēkotos)
Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2348: To die, be dying, be dead. A strengthened form of a simpler primary thano than'-o; to die.

[but] whom
ὃν (hon)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

Paul
Παῦλος (Paulos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3972: Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.

affirmed
ἔφασκεν (ephasken)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5335: To assert, affirm, profess. Prolongation from the same as phemi; to assert.

to be alive.
ζῆν (zēn)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.


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NT Apostles: Acts 25:19 But had certain questions against him about (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 25:18
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