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.
Original Language Analysis
ὃν
Whom
G3739
ὃν
Whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐγκαλούμενον
to be accused
G1458
ἐγκαλούμενον
to be accused
Strong's:
G1458
Word #:
3 of 16
to call in (as a debt or demand), i.e., bring to account (charge, criminate, etc.)
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ζητημάτων
questions
G2213
ζητημάτων
questions
Strong's:
G2213
Word #:
5 of 16
a search (properly concretely), i.e., (in words) a debate
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νόμου
law
G3551
νόμου
law
Strong's:
G3551
Word #:
7 of 16
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
αὐτῶν
of their
G846
αὐτῶν
of their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἄξιον
worthy
G514
ἄξιον
worthy
Strong's:
G514
Word #:
11 of 16
deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)
θανάτου
of death
G2288
θανάτου
of death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
12 of 16
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
δεσμῶν
of bonds
G1199
δεσμῶν
of bonds
Strong's:
G1199
Word #:
14 of 16
a band, i.e., ligament (of the body) or shackle (of a prisoner); figuratively, an impediment or disability
Cross References
Acts 26:31And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.Acts 18:15But 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 25:25But 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.
Historical Context
This verdict echoed Gallio's earlier decision (Acts 18:14-15) and anticipated Roman policy toward Christianity for the next century. It established that Christian faith wasn't inherently criminal under Roman law.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God used secular authorities' judgments to protect and advance the gospel despite their lack of personal faith?
- What does this teach about advocating for proper legal recognition of religious liberty?
Analysis & Commentary
Lysias's assessment that Paul faced 'questions of their law' with 'nothing worthy of death or of bonds' represented crucial official Roman opinion. This judgment that Christianity involved internal Jewish disputes rather than Roman crimes would protect the church for decades. God used a pagan officer's assessment to establish legal precedent favorable to gospel spread.