Acts 28:18

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Who {G3748}, when they had examined {G350} me {G3165}, would {G1014} have let me go {G630}, because {G1223} there was {G5225} no {G3367} cause {G156} of death {G2288} in {G1722} me {G1698}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They examined me and were ready to release me, because I had done nothing to justify a death sentence.

Berean Standard Bible

They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.

American Standard Version

who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 28:18 captures a pivotal moment in Paul's defense before the Jewish leaders in Rome, where he recounts the consistent findings of Roman authorities in Judea. Despite relentless accusations from his Jewish adversaries, every Roman official who examined Paul—from Felix to Festus and King Agrippa II—found him innocent of any capital crime, confirming that there was no legal basis for a death sentence against him. This verse underscores Paul's vindication within the Roman legal system, highlighting God's providential hand in preserving his life and facilitating his journey to the imperial capital to proclaim the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 28:18 is part of Paul's final recorded defense in the book of Acts, delivered to the leading Jews in Rome. It immediately follows his explanation of why he appealed to Caesar, clarifying that his presence in Rome was not due to any wrongdoing against his own people or their customs, but rather as a prisoner for the hope of Israel. This verse specifically summarizes the outcome of his multiple trials in Caesarea, serving as a legal precedent that validates his innocence and sets the stage for his continued ministry in Rome under house arrest, as described in the verses that follow [Acts 28:30-31](/acts/28-30-31 "Acts 28:30-31 - Paul's Ministry in Rome"). It reinforces the narrative thread throughout the latter half of Acts, where Paul's legal battles consistently demonstrate his adherence to the law and the baselessness of the charges against him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul's trials occurred within the Roman provincial judicial system, which, while often corrupt, generally upheld principles of due process, especially for Roman citizens like Paul. The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and Caesarea repeatedly brought charges against Paul, primarily related to perceived desecration of the Temple and sedition against Rome, though the latter was a false accusation. Roman governors (Felix and Festus) and King Agrippa II, a client king with Roman authority, conducted thorough examinations. The phrase "cause of death" (Latin: *causa mortis*) reflects Roman legal terminology for a capital offense. Paul's appeal to Caesar, mentioned earlier in [Acts 25:11](/acts/25-11 "Acts 25:11 - Paul Appeals to Caesar"), was a right afforded to Roman citizens, allowing them to bypass provincial courts and have their case heard by the emperor himself, a strategic move that ultimately brought Paul to Rome, fulfilling a divine prophecy [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Promise to Paul").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Acts. Firstly, it powerfully reiterates **Paul's Proven Innocence**, a recurring motif throughout his trials. Despite intense opposition and false accusations, Roman officials consistently found no legitimate grounds for a death sentence, as seen in [Festus's declaration in Acts 25:25](/acts/25-25 "Acts 25:25 - Festus Finds Paul Innocent") and [Agrippa's agreement in Acts 26:31](/acts/26-31 "Acts 26:31 - Agrippa and Festus Conclude Paul's Innocence"). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Protection and Providence**. Despite years of imprisonment and numerous plots against his life, God sovereignly used the Roman legal system to protect Paul and orchestrate his journey to Rome, fulfilling His purpose for Paul to bear witness to Christ in the imperial capital. Thirdly, the verse subtly points to the **Nature of the Accusations**. Paul's true "crime" was not civil disobedience or rebellion, but his fervent proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah and the resurrection of the dead, which was deemed heresy by some Jewish factions, demonstrating the profound theological conflict at the heart of the early church's mission.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **examined (Greek, _anakrínō'_):** This term (G350) means "to scrutinize, investigate, interrogate, determine." It implies a thorough, judicial inquiry, not a superficial glance. The Roman officials conducted detailed hearings, listening to both Paul's accusers and his defense, cross-examining witnesses, and weighing the evidence. This thoroughness underscores the validity of their findings regarding Paul's innocence.
* **would have let me go (Greek, _apolýō'_):** This verb (G630) signifies "to free fully, release, dismiss, set at liberty." It clearly indicates that the Roman authorities, having completed their examination, had reached a verdict of acquittal and intended to release Paul. The only reason for his continued imprisonment and subsequent appeal was the political maneuvering of Festus and the persistent, baseless accusations of the Jewish leaders.
* **cause (Greek, _aitía'_):** This noun (G156) refers to a "cause, reason, charge, accusation, crime, fault." In a legal context, it denotes the specific grounds or charges brought against someone. The declaration that there was "no cause" means there was no legitimate, legally justifiable charge that warranted punishment, especially not the death penalty.
* **death (Greek, _thánatos'_):** This word (G2288) refers to "death," specifically in this context, a capital punishment or death sentence. The phrase "no cause of death" (οὐκ αἰτία θανάτου) is a precise legal finding, indicating that Paul had committed no offense for which capital punishment was prescribed under Roman law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who, when they had examined me":** This clause refers to the various Roman officials—Governor Felix, Governor Festus, and King Agrippa II—who had presided over Paul's trials in Caesarea. The Greek word for "examined" (ἀνακρίνω, *anakrínō*) implies a thorough judicial investigation, including interrogation and evaluation of evidence. This highlights that Paul's vindication was not a casual dismissal but the result of rigorous legal scrutiny.
* **"would have let [me] go":** This indicates the clear intention and conclusion of the Roman authorities. After their examinations, they found no valid legal grounds to hold Paul, let alone condemn him. Their desire was to release him, signifying a verdict of innocence. This emphasizes the baselessness of the accusations brought against him by the Jewish leaders.
* **"because there was no cause of death in me":** This is the crucial legal finding. The phrase "cause of death" (αἰτία θανάτου, *aitía thanátou*) is a technical legal term for a capital offense. The consistent determination by Roman officials that there was "no cause of death" in Paul means he had committed no crime punishable by death. His only "offense" was his preaching of the Gospel, which was not a capital crime under Roman law, though it was vehemently opposed by some Jewish factions.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Legal Language** and **Understatement**. The precise phrase "no cause of death" is a legal declaration, emphasizing the formal, judicial nature of Paul's vindication. This legal precision serves to underscore the baselessness of the accusations against him. The repeated finding of innocence by multiple Roman officials, condensed into this single statement, functions as an **Understatement** of the intense legal and personal ordeal Paul endured. It also carries an element of **Irony**: Paul, a prisoner, is repeatedly declared innocent by pagan authorities, while his own countrymen, the Jewish leaders, relentlessly pursue his condemnation based on religious grounds, highlighting the profound spiritual blindness of his accusers. This consistent legal acquittal also serves as a form of **Vindication**, not just for Paul personally, but for the message he proclaimed, suggesting that the Gospel itself was not a threat to civil order.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 28:18 profoundly illustrates the theme of divine sovereignty working through human legal systems, even those that are imperfect. Paul's repeated acquittal by Roman authorities, despite the persistent and often politically motivated efforts of his accusers, demonstrates God's providential hand in protecting His servant and advancing His kingdom purposes. It shows that even in the face of injustice and false accusations, God can use secular structures to ensure His will is done. This divine oversight not only preserved Paul's life but also facilitated his journey to Rome, the heart of the empire, enabling him to fulfill his mission to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, even while imprisoned. The consistent finding of "no cause of death" underscores that Paul's "crime" was never against the state, but rather a theological dispute about the identity of the Messiah and the resurrection, which ultimately vindicated the truth of the Christian message as non-threatening to Roman order.

* [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Promise to Paul"): The Lord stood by Paul and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."
* [Acts 25:25](/acts/25-25 "Acts 25:25 - Festus Declares Paul Innocent"): Festus declared, "But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I determined to send him."
* [Acts 26:31](/acts/26-31 "Acts 26:31 - Agrippa and Festus Agree on Paul's Innocence"): They spoke among themselves, saying, "This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's experience in Acts 28:18 offers a powerful testament to perseverance and trust in God's sovereign plan, even amidst prolonged adversity and false accusations. For years, Paul endured imprisonment and legal battles, yet he never wavered in his commitment to the Gospel or his confidence in God's ultimate purpose for his life. His consistent vindication by secular authorities, despite the relentless efforts of his religious adversaries, reminds us that truth can prevail, and God can use unexpected means—even the very systems designed to oppress—to advance His kingdom. This narrative encourages believers today to stand firm in their faith, to speak truth with courage, and to trust that God is at work even when circumstances seem bleak or unjust. It challenges us to examine our own responses to adversity: Do we despair, or do we, like Paul, see opportunities for God's purposes to unfold? Our steadfastness in trials can become a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating the reality of God's faithfulness and the non-threatening nature of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's repeated vindication by Roman authorities encourage you when facing false accusations or misunderstandings in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be using difficult or unjust circumstances in your life to advance His broader purposes, much like He did with Paul's imprisonment?**
* **What does Paul's unwavering commitment to sharing the Gospel, even while a prisoner, teach you about priorities in ministry and personal witness?**

### FAQ
**Why did Paul remain imprisoned if he was found innocent by Roman officials?**

Answer: Paul's continued imprisonment, despite being found innocent, was largely due to political expediency and his own strategic appeal to Caesar. Governor Festus, wanting to curry favor with the Jewish leaders and perhaps avoid further unrest, was reluctant to simply release Paul. He suggested Paul return to Jerusalem for trial, which Paul knew would be a death trap due to plots against him [Acts 25:9-10](/acts/25-9-10 "Acts 25:9-10 - Festus's Proposal and Paul's Refusal"). As a Roman citizen, Paul had the right to appeal his case directly to the Emperor in Rome [Acts 25:11](/acts/25-11 "Acts 25:11 - Paul Appeals to Caesar"). This appeal, though it kept him in custody, was a deliberate choice by Paul to ensure his safety from his Jewish accusers and, providentially, to fulfill God's plan for him to preach the Gospel in Rome [Acts 23:11](/acts/23-11 "Acts 23:11 - The Lord's Promise to Paul"). Thus, his imprisonment was not a result of guilt, but a complex interplay of political maneuvering, personal safety, and divine purpose.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 28:18, in recounting Paul's vindication by Roman authorities, powerfully foreshadows and reflects the ultimate vindication of Christ Himself. Just as Paul was found to have "no cause of death" in him, yet suffered unjustly, so too was Jesus, the righteous one, declared innocent by Pontius Pilate ("I find no fault in him," [John 19:4](/john/19-4 "John 19:4 - Pilate Declares Jesus Innocent")), yet was condemned to death. Paul's suffering and legal battles, culminating in his journey to Rome, mirror Christ's own path of suffering that led to the cross and ultimately to the triumph of the Gospel. Paul's mission to bear witness to Christ, even in chains, becomes a living embodiment of the Lord's command to be His witnesses "unto the uttermost part of the earth" [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - The Great Commission"). Through Paul's seemingly unjust imprisonment, God's sovereign plan to spread the message of salvation to the Gentile world was fulfilled, demonstrating that the Gospel cannot be chained [2 Timothy 2:9](/2_timothy/2-9 "2 Timothy 2:9 - The Word of God is Not Chained"). Paul's life, marked by suffering and vindication, serves as a profound Christ-centered example of how God uses the trials of His servants to advance His redemptive purposes, ultimately pointing to the Lamb of God who was slain, yet rose again, conquering death and offering true freedom to all who believe [Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The Lamb is Worthy").

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 26:32

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

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 22:24

The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against 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 24:22

¶ And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of [that] way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

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.