Acts 25:10

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.

Then {G1161} said {G2036} Paul {G3972}, I stand {G1510}{G2476} at {G1909} Caesar's {G2541} judgment seat {G968}, where {G3757} I {G3165} ought {G1163} to be judged {G2919}: to the Jews {G2453} have I done {G91} no {G3762} wrong {G91}, as {G5613}{G2532} thou {G4771} very well {G2566} knowest {G1921}.

Sha’ul replied, “I am standing right now in the court of the Emperor, and this is where I should be tried. I have done no wrong to the Judeans, as you very well know.

Paul 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.

But Paul said, I am standing before Cæsar’s judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest.

Commentary

In Acts 25:10, the Apostle Paul stands before Festus, the Roman governor, making a crucial declaration during his ongoing trials in Caesarea. This verse highlights Paul's assertiveness of his legal rights as a Roman citizen and his unwavering commitment to truth in the face of political maneuvering and false accusations.

Context

This statement by Paul comes after Festus, seeking to curry favor with the Jewish leaders, suggests that Paul be tried in Jerusalem (Acts 25:9). Paul knew that going to Jerusalem would mean almost certain death due to plots by his Jewish adversaries, who had previously attempted to ambush and assassinate him. Having been held unjustly for two years under Felix, Paul was acutely aware of the corrupt local justice system. His declaration, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged," is his direct appeal to the highest Roman authority, bypassing the provincial court and the dangerous political machinations of his accusers.

Key Themes

  • Assertion of Legal Rights: Paul, a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:25-28), boldly claims his right to be judged by Caesar, the ultimate legal authority of the Roman Empire. This demonstrates the importance of understanding and utilizing one's legal protections.
  • Proclamation of Innocence: Paul emphatically states, "to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest." This is a consistent defense throughout his trials, emphasizing that his only 'offense' was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not any crime against Jewish law or Roman order (Acts 24:10-21).
  • Divine Sovereignty and Providence: Paul's appeal to Caesar ultimately led him to Rome, fulfilling a divine purpose. Earlier, the Lord had told Paul, "Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome" (Acts 23:11). Even through imprisonment and legal proceedings, God's plan for Paul's ministry advanced.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Caesar's judgment seat" translates the Greek bema Kaisaros. The bema was a raised platform or tribunal where Roman officials sat to administer justice. Paul's appeal to the bema Kaisaros was a formal and legally recognized process for Roman citizens to escalate their case to the Emperor himself, bypassing lower courts if they believed they were not receiving a fair trial.

Practical Application

  • Standing for Truth and Righteousness: Paul's steadfastness in declaring his innocence and appealing to a higher authority provides a powerful example of standing firm in one's convictions, even when facing significant opposition and injustice.
  • Wisdom in Navigating Systems: Paul wisely used his Roman citizenship and the legal mechanisms available to him to protect himself and further the Gospel. This reminds believers to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16) in the world.
  • Trusting God's Guiding Hand: Despite being a prisoner, Paul's circumstances were ultimately orchestrated by God to bring him to Rome, the heart of the Roman Empire, where he could preach the Gospel. This encourages believers to trust that God can use even challenging situations to fulfill His purposes. Paul's formal appeal is recorded in Acts 25:11.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 4:2

    But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

  • 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 28:18

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

  • Acts 26:31

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

  • Matthew 27:18

    For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.

  • 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?

  • Acts 22:28

    And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was [free] born.
← Back