Acts 25:25

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} when I {G1473} found {G2638} that he {G846} had committed {G4238} nothing {G3367} worthy {G514} of death {G2288}, and {G2532}{G1161} that he himself {G846} hath appealed {G5127} to {G1941} Augustus {G4575}, I have determined {G2919} to send {G3992} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I discovered that he had done nothing that deserves a death sentence. Now when he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.

Berean Standard Bible

But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.

American Standard Version

But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 25:25 captures the pivotal moment in Paul's legal proceedings where the Roman procurator Festus declares Paul innocent of any capital crime. Despite this finding, Festus is legally bound to send Paul to Rome because Paul, exercising his rights as a Roman citizen, had appealed his case directly to the Emperor, Augustus. This verse marks a crucial turning point, setting in motion Paul's divinely orchestrated journey to the heart of the Roman Empire to bear witness to the gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Paul's extended imprisonment and trials, which began in Jerusalem and continued in Caesarea. Following his arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 21), Paul was transferred to Caesarea to escape a Jewish plot (Acts 23). He remained imprisoned under Governor Felix for two years (Acts 24:27). Upon Felix's replacement by Festus, the Jewish leaders immediately renewed their fervent accusations against Paul, attempting to have him transferred back to Jerusalem, where they planned an ambush (Acts 25:1-3). Festus, a new and pragmatic governor, sought to understand the case, holding a formal hearing where Paul presented his defense. Recognizing the lack of any legitimate capital charges under Roman law, and perhaps seeking to appease the Jewish leaders, Festus proposed a trial in Jerusalem. It is at this juncture that Paul, fully aware of his rights and perhaps guided by divine revelation, made his definitive appeal to Caesar, which is the immediate backdrop to Festus's declaration in Acts 25:25.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold within the Roman provincial administration, where procurators like Felix and Festus governed territories like Judea. These officials were responsible for maintaining order, administering justice, and collecting taxes. Roman law, particularly concerning the rights of Roman citizens, plays a crucial role here. A Roman citizen accused of a crime had the right to appeal their case directly to the Emperor (the _provocatio ad Caesarem_), bypassing lower courts if they felt justice was not being served or if their life was at stake. This right was a cornerstone of Roman legal protection. The title "Augustus" (Latin: _Augustus_, Greek: _Sebastos_) was an imperial honorific adopted by Roman emperors, signifying their venerable and revered status. At this time, the Emperor was Nero, though he is referred to by his imperial title. The Jewish leaders' accusations against Paul—primarily concerning religious disputes and alleged profanation of the Temple—did not constitute capital offenses under Roman civil law, even if they were considered blasphemous or seditious under Jewish law. This distinction was key to the Roman procurator's assessment.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 25:25 significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores **Paul's consistent vindication** by Roman authorities, echoing earlier judgments by Gallio in [Corinth](/acts/18-14-15 "Acts 18:14-15 - Gallio's Dismissal") and Felix in [Caesarea](/acts/24-22-23 "Acts 24:22-23 - Felix's Understanding"). This repeated declaration of innocence highlights that Paul's "offense" was theological, not criminal, concerning "questions of their own religion, and of one Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive" ([Acts 25:19](/acts/25-19 "Acts 25:19 - Festus's Summary of the Charges")). Secondly, the verse illustrates the **integrity, albeit sometimes reluctant, of Roman justice**. Despite political pressures and personal desires to appease the Jewish leaders, the Roman legal system, particularly when a citizen's rights were invoked, generally upheld due process. Finally, and most profoundly, Paul's appeal and subsequent journey to Rome are a powerful demonstration of **divine providence**. God had already revealed to Paul that he must bear witness in Rome ([Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Promise to Paul")), and this legal process, despite its challenges, became the divinely appointed means for that prophecy to be fulfilled, showcasing God's sovereign control over human affairs and legal systems.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **found (Greek, _katalambánō_):** G2638. This verb means "to take eagerly," "seize," "apprehend," or "perceive." In this context, it signifies Festus's judicial conclusion or perception after examining the evidence and hearing the arguments. He "apprehended" or "understood" that Paul's actions did not warrant a capital charge. It implies a thorough assessment leading to a clear, definitive realization.
* **worthy (Greek, _áxios_):** G514. Derived from a root meaning "deserving" or "comparable," this adjective denotes suitability or merit. When paired with "death," it forms a legal phrase "worthy of death," indicating that the alleged crime warranted the death penalty. Festus's declaration that Paul had committed "nothing worthy of death" is a formal legal acquittal of any capital offense under Roman law, emphasizing the lack of sufficient evidence for such a severe punishment.
* **appealed (Greek, _epikaléomai_):** G1941. This is a middle voice verb meaning "to entitle," or by implication, "to invoke for aid, worship, testimony, or decision." In a legal sense, it specifically refers to the act of invoking a higher authority, in this case, appealing to the Emperor. Paul's use of this right was a formal and legally binding declaration that transferred his case to the highest court of the Roman Empire.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death":** This clause reveals Festus's personal and official assessment of Paul's case. Despite the persistent and vehement accusations from the Jewish leaders, Festus, as a Roman judge, could find no evidence that Paul had engaged in any activity that constituted a capital crime under Roman law. This is a significant legal vindication for Paul, confirming his innocence from the perspective of the imperial justice system.
* **"and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus":** This part explains the decisive factor that dictated Festus's subsequent action. Paul, as a Roman citizen, had exercised his legal right to appeal his case directly to the Emperor (Augustus). This appeal was not merely a request but a legal mandate that removed the case from Festus's jurisdiction and required Paul's transfer to Rome for imperial judgment. It underscores Paul's strategic use of his citizenship and the binding nature of Roman law.
* **"I have determined to send him":** This final clause states Festus's official decision. Faced with Paul's clear innocence of capital crimes and his legally binding appeal to the Emperor, Festus had no choice but to comply with the legal process. His "determination" was not a discretionary choice but a necessary administrative action, compelled by Roman law and Paul's assertion of his rights.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Legal Language** throughout, reflecting the formal judicial setting. Terms like "worthy of death," "appealed," and "determined to send" are precise legalistic phrases that underscore the official nature of Festus's declaration and decision. There is a subtle **Irony** in the situation: Paul, a prisoner, is paradoxically dictating his own destination by invoking his rights as a Roman citizen, effectively compelling the Roman governor to facilitate his journey. This highlights the unexpected ways in which God's purposes can be achieved through secular systems. Furthermore, the verse serves as **Foreshadowing**, explicitly setting the stage for Paul's long-anticipated journey to Rome, a destination that held immense strategic importance for the spread of the gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 25:25 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign hand at work, even through the seemingly mundane or adversarial processes of human legal systems. Festus's declaration of Paul's innocence, echoing previous Roman judgments, underscores that Paul's "crimes" were not against the state but were theological disputes, thereby validating the message he proclaimed. God used Paul's Roman citizenship and the very legal system that imprisoned him as the means to fulfill His divine purpose for Paul to bear witness in Rome. This demonstrates that God's plan is not thwarted by human opposition or political maneuvering but rather incorporates and transcends them, turning obstacles into opportunities for the advancement of His kingdom.

* [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Promise to Paul about Rome")
* [Acts 26:31-32](/acts/26-31-32 "Acts 26:31-32 - Agrippa's Verdict on Paul's Innocence")
* [Philippians 1:12-14](/philippians/1-12-14 "Philippians 1:12-14 - Gospel Advancement Through Imprisonment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 25:25 offers profound encouragement for believers facing adversity, false accusations, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Paul's unwavering integrity and his trust in God's plan, even amidst prolonged imprisonment and legal battles, serve as a powerful model. This verse reminds us that God is sovereign over all earthly authorities and systems, capable of using even our trials and the machinations of our opponents to further His divine purposes. When we face unfair treatment or are misunderstood for our faith, we are called to maintain our integrity, speak the truth with grace, and trust that God can work through any circumstance. Our trials are not merely hindrances but can become unexpected pathways for God to demonstrate His power, vindicate His truth, and open new doors for the gospel, just as Paul's journey to Rome became a pivotal moment for the spread of Christianity in the heart of the empire.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's response to false accusations encourage you in your own life when facing injustice or misunderstanding?**
* **In what ways can you discern God's sovereign hand at work, even in difficult or seemingly secular circumstances?**
* **How might your current challenges or "imprisonments" be opportunities for God to advance His kingdom or deepen your witness?**

### FAQ
**Who was "Augustus" to whom Paul appealed, and what was the significance of this appeal?**

Answer: At the time of Paul's appeal, the Roman Emperor was Nero (reigned 54-68 AD). "Augustus" (Greek: _Sebastos_) was an imperial title, a revered honorific adopted by Roman emperors, rather than a personal name. Paul's appeal to Augustus was an exercise of his fundamental right as a Roman citizen, known as _provocatio ad Caesarem_. This right allowed a citizen to appeal a death sentence or a severe punishment directly to the Emperor, thereby bypassing the provincial governor's judgment and transferring the case to the highest court in the Roman Empire. This was a critical legal maneuver that ensured Paul's case would be heard in Rome, a destination God had already revealed for Paul's ministry (see [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Promise to Paul")).

**Why was Paul sent to Rome if Festus found him "nothing worthy of death"?**

Answer: Festus's declaration that Paul was "nothing worthy of death" (or chains, as Agrippa later concluded in [Acts 26:31](/acts/26-31 "Acts 26:31 - Agrippa's Conclusion")) meant that under Roman law, Paul had committed no capital crime. However, once Paul, as a Roman citizen, formally appealed his case to Augustus, Festus was legally bound to send him to Rome, regardless of his personal conviction of Paul's innocence. The appeal automatically transferred jurisdiction to the Emperor's court. Festus's role then became administrative: to ensure Paul's safe transport to Rome and to prepare the necessary legal documents outlining the charges and the proceedings thus far (as seen in [Acts 25:26-27](/acts/25-26-27 "Acts 25:26-27 - Festus's Dilemma Regarding Paul's Case")). Paul's appeal was not a request but a demand that legally compelled Festus to act.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 25:25, while detailing a legal decision concerning Paul, profoundly points to Christ in its underlying themes of divine sovereignty, vindication, and the advancement of God's kingdom through suffering. Just as Paul was found innocent of capital crimes by Roman authorities, yet was still delivered over, so too was Jesus, the ultimate innocent one, declared without fault by Pilate (see [John 19:4](/john/19-4 "John 19:4 - Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent")) yet handed over to be crucified for the sins of the world. Paul's journey to Rome, compelled by an appeal to Caesar, mirrors the divine necessity of Christ's journey to the cross and resurrection, which was God's ultimate plan for the redemption of humanity (see [Luke 24:46-47](/luke/24-46-47 "Luke 24:46-47 - The Necessity of Christ's Suffering")). Paul's suffering and imprisonment, far from hindering the gospel, became a means for its wider proclamation, even reaching the imperial household (as hinted in [Philippians 4:22](/philippians/4-22 "Philippians 4:22 - Greetings from Caesar's Household")). In this, Paul's experience reflects the pattern of Christ, whose ultimate victory and reign were achieved through apparent defeat and sacrifice. Paul's witness in Rome, though initiated by a legal appeal, ultimately served the greater purpose of bearing witness to the King of Kings, fulfilling the Great Commission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, starting from Jerusalem and extending to the very heart of the Gentile world (see [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission")).

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 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.

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.

Acts 25:12

Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

Luke 23:4

Then said Pilate to the chief priests and [to] the people, I find no fault in this man.

Acts 23:9

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes [that were] of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

Acts 26:31

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

Luke 23:14

Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined [him] before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: