Acts 23:29

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whom {G3739} I perceived {G2147} to be accused {G1458} of {G4012} questions {G2213} of their {G846} law {G3551}, but {G1161} to have {G2192} nothing {G3367} laid to his charge {G1462} worthy {G514} of death {G2288} or {G2228} of bonds {G1199}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I found that he was charged in connection with questions of their “Torah” but that there was no charge deserving death or prison.

Berean Standard Bible

I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 23:29 presents the Roman commander Claudius Lysias's official assessment of the apostle Paul's legal situation, conveyed in a letter to Governor Felix. Lysias concludes that the accusations against Paul stemmed purely from internal Jewish legal and religious disputes, not from any criminal offense worthy of death or imprisonment under Roman law. This verse highlights the Roman authorities' disinterest in religious controversies and serves as a crucial declaration of Paul's innocence from a secular standpoint, setting the stage for his subsequent trials.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Claudius Lysias's letter to Governor Felix, recorded in [Acts 23:26-30](/acts/23-26-30 "Acts 23:26-30 - Claudius Lysias's Letter to Governor Felix"). The letter explains the circumstances leading to Paul's transfer from Jerusalem to Caesarea. Prior to this, Paul had been arrested in the Temple area by Roman soldiers who rescued him from a violent mob ([Acts 21:30-36](/acts/21-30-36 "Acts 21:30-36 - Paul's Arrest in the Temple")). Lysias, attempting to understand the charges, brought Paul before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council. However, this assembly quickly devolved into chaos when Paul strategically declared his belief in the resurrection, dividing the Pharisees and Sadducees ([Acts 23:6-10](/acts/23-6-10 "Acts 23:6-10 - Paul Before the Sanhedrin")). Recognizing that Paul's life was in danger and that the accusations were internal Jewish matters, Lysias decided to send Paul to the Roman governor for a proper hearing, ensuring his safety and adhering to Roman legal protocol.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Roman Empire generally maintained a policy of religious tolerance towards its conquered peoples, allowing them to practice their native religions as long as it did not threaten Roman authority or public order. Jewish law, or "their law" as Lysias refers to it, encompassed a complex system of religious, civil, and ceremonial regulations derived from the Torah and rabbinic traditions. Roman officials like Lysias were primarily concerned with maintaining peace, collecting taxes, and enforcing Roman law. Disputes that were purely theological or internal to a religious group, such as the Jewish debates over the resurrection or the interpretation of the Law, were typically outside their jurisdiction and interest, unless they incited riots or rebellion. This Roman indifference to religious squabbles, coupled with their commitment to due process for Roman citizens, played a crucial role in Paul's protection.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Roman legal system's assessment of Paul's innocence**, a recurring motif throughout his trials ([Acts 25:25](/acts/25-25 "Acts 25:25 - Festus's Verdict on Paul") and [Acts 26:31](/acts/26-31 "Acts 26:31 - Agrippa and Festus Conclude Paul's Innocence")). Secondly, it highlights the **clash between Jewish religious zeal and Roman legal pragmatism**, illustrating how the gospel often provoked opposition rooted in theological disagreement rather than criminal activity. Finally, it demonstrates **God's sovereign providence** working through secular authorities to protect His servant and advance His mission. Lysias's actions, though motivated by Roman duty, inadvertently served God's purpose of bringing Paul to Rome, as foretold in [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord Appears to Paul").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **accused (Greek, _enkaléō_):** This verb means "to call in (as a debt or demand)," "to bring to account," or "to criminate." Lysias uses it to describe the action taken by Paul's Jewish opponents. It implies a formal charge, but in this context, Lysias quickly dismisses the validity of these charges from a Roman legal perspective, indicating they were not legitimate criminal accusations.
* **questions (Greek, _zḗtēma_):** Derived from a word meaning "to search" or "to seek," _zētēma_ refers to a "search (properly concretely)," or "a debate," "disputation," or "controversy." Lysias's use of this term emphasizes that he perceived the core of the conflict to be an internal, intellectual, or theological dispute among the Jews, rather than a matter of criminal wrongdoing that would fall under Roman jurisdiction.
* **worthy (Greek, _áxios_):** This adjective means "deserving," "comparable," or "suitable." Lysias's declaration that Paul had nothing "worthy of death or of bonds" is a crucial legal judgment. It signifies that, in his professional opinion, the accusations did not meet the threshold for the most severe Roman punishments, thereby affirming Paul's legal innocence from the Roman standpoint.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law,"**: Lysias, having observed Paul's interactions with the Jewish leaders and heard the accusations, formed a clear understanding of the situation. He recognized that the charges leveled against Paul by the Jews were not criminal in nature according to Roman statutes, but rather pertained to internal religious debates and interpretations specific to Jewish tradition and custom. This highlights the Roman lack of interest in the intricacies of Jewish religious law.
* **"but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds."**: This clause provides Lysias's definitive legal conclusion. Despite the intensity of the accusations from the Jewish leaders, Lysias found no evidence of any offense that merited capital punishment (death) or severe imprisonment (bonds/chains), which were the most serious penalties under Roman law. This statement is a formal declaration of Paul's innocence from a Roman legal perspective, a judgment that would be repeatedly affirmed in subsequent trials.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Legal Language** and **Contrast**. The precise terminology used by Lysias ("accused," "questions of their law," "nothing laid to his charge," "worthy of death or of bonds") reflects the formal, judicial context of his letter and his role as a Roman official assessing a legal matter. This legal precision underscores the gravity of his finding. The primary **Contrast** is drawn between the nature of the accusations ("questions of their law," implying religious or theological disputes) and the severity of the Roman punishments ("death or of bonds," implying criminal offenses). This contrast highlights the fundamental disconnect between the Jewish accusers' motivations and the Roman legal framework, ultimately vindicating Paul from a secular standpoint. There is also a subtle **Irony** in that a pagan Roman commander, through his adherence to legal principles, becomes an unwitting instrument of God's protection for His apostle.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 23:29 serves as a powerful testament to the Roman legal system's repeated affirmation of Paul's innocence, a theme that reverberates throughout the latter half of Acts. From a theological perspective, it demonstrates God's sovereign hand at work, using even secular authorities and their disinterest in religious squabbles to protect His servant and advance the gospel. Paul's trials, though arduous, consistently resulted in his legal vindication by Roman officials, proving that his mission was not a threat to the state but a matter of faith. This pattern of unjust accusation met with official acquittal foreshadows the ultimate triumph of truth over falsehood and highlights the divine protection afforded to those who faithfully proclaim Christ.

* [Acts 25:25](/acts/25-25 "Acts 25:25 - Festus's Assessment of Paul's Innocence")
* [Acts 26:31](/acts/26-31 "Acts 26:31 - King Agrippa's Verdict")
* [Acts 18:14-15](/acts/18-14-15 "Acts 18:14-15 - Gallio's Dismissal of Jewish Accusations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Roman commander's clear-eyed assessment in Acts 23:29 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that faithfully following Christ and proclaiming His truth can sometimes lead to misunderstanding, false accusations, or even legal challenges from those who operate under different frameworks or are motivated by spiritual opposition. Paul was not accused of a civil crime, but of matters pertaining to "their law"—his faith. In such moments, we are called to stand firm, trusting in God's sovereign plan and His ability to work through unexpected channels, even secular legal systems, to protect His people and advance His purposes. This verse encourages us to maintain integrity and truthfulness in our witness, knowing that our ultimate vindication comes from God, even if human authorities fail to recognize it. It also underscores the importance of a just legal system and the principle of due process, which, when applied fairly, can serve as a bulwark against religious persecution.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might the "questions of their law" that Paul faced relate to the "questions" or misunderstandings about Christian faith that believers encounter in society today?**
* **In what ways can we trust God's providence to protect us, even when facing opposition or false accusations, similar to how He protected Paul through a Roman official?**
* **What does Paul's consistent legal vindication by Roman authorities teach us about the nature of the gospel's threat (or lack thereof) to civil order?**

### FAQ

**What was the "law" that Lysias referred to in Acts 23:29?**

Answer: The "law" Lysias referred to was the Jewish Law, encompassing the Mosaic Law (Torah) and the extensive body of oral traditions and interpretations developed by Jewish religious authorities. Lysias, as a Roman official, perceived Paul's accusations as internal disputes concerning these specific Jewish religious and legal customs, rather than violations of Roman civil or criminal law. This distinction was crucial because Roman authorities generally did not intervene in the religious affairs of their subjects unless public order was threatened or Roman authority was challenged.

**Why did Claudius Lysias send Paul to Governor Felix in Caesarea?**

Answer: Claudius Lysias sent Paul to Governor Felix in Caesarea for several reasons, as detailed in [Acts 23:23-30](/acts/23-23-30 "Acts 23:23-30 - Paul Sent to Felix"). Firstly, Paul was a Roman citizen, and Lysias was obligated to ensure his safety and proper legal process. After rescuing Paul from a violent mob in Jerusalem, Lysias discovered a plot by more than forty Jews to ambush and kill Paul ([Acts 23:12-22](/acts/23-12-22 "Acts 23:12-22 - Plot to Kill Paul")). Recognizing the extreme danger Paul was in and the purely religious nature of the accusations, Lysias decided to transfer him to the higher authority of the Roman governor in Caesarea, who had the jurisdiction and resources to handle such a complex and potentially volatile case.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 23:29, with its declaration of Paul's innocence from Roman charges, profoundly points to Christ. Just as Paul was "accused of questions of their law" and found "nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds" by a secular authority, so too was Jesus Christ unjustly accused by religious authorities of His day. The Jewish leaders sought to condemn Jesus based on their interpretation of the Law and their rejection of His claims to divinity, ultimately leading to His crucifixion. Pilate, the Roman governor, repeatedly declared Jesus innocent of any Roman crime, stating, "I find no guilt in him" ([John 18:38](/john/18-38 "John 18:38 - Pilate Finds No Guilt") and [John 19:4](/john/19-4 "John 19:4 - Pilate's Declaration of Innocence")). Yet, despite this legal vindication, Christ willingly submitted to the cross, bearing the true "charge" of the world's sin. Paul's experience mirrors Christ's innocent suffering and ultimate vindication, albeit in a different sense. Furthermore, God's use of a pagan Roman official like Lysias to protect Paul and enable his journey to Rome foreshadows the universal reach of the gospel, which transcends Jewish law and Roman authority, ultimately fulfilling God's redemptive plan through Christ for all nations ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 26:31

And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

Acts 25:25

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

Acts 18:15

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 28:18

Who, when they had examined me, would have let [me] go, because there was no cause of death in me.

Acts 25:19

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

Acts 25:20

And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked [him] whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

Acts 25:11

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.