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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
4 of 22
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
Ἐπὶ
at
G1909
Ἐπὶ
at
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βήματος
judgment seat
G968
βήματος
judgment seat
Strong's:
G968
Word #:
7 of 22
a step, i.e., foot-breath; by implication, a rostrum, i.e., a tribunal
ἑστώς
G2476
ἑστώς
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
9 of 22
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
δεῖ
ought
G1163
δεῖ
ought
Strong's:
G1163
Word #:
13 of 22
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
οὐδὲν
no
G3762
οὐδὲν
no
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
16 of 22
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἠδίκησα
have I done
G91
ἠδίκησα
have I done
Strong's:
G91
Word #:
17 of 22
to be unjust, i.e., (actively) do wrong (morally, socially or physically)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
18 of 22
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
καὶ
G2532
καὶ
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
As a Roman citizen (civis Romanus), Paul possessed rights unavailable to provincials: protection from arbitrary punishment, formal trial procedures, and—crucially—the right of appeal to Caesar. Caesarea was the proper jurisdiction for a citizen's trial. Festus's proposal violated Roman law, and Paul knew it.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's bold assertion of legal rights inform Christian engagement with civic authority?
- When is it appropriate to confront even powerful officials who compromise truth for political convenience?
Analysis & Commentary
I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged—Paul's declaration asserts his legal rights as a Roman citizen while exposing Festus's improper proposal. The Greek 'hestōs eimi' (I am standing) emphasizes his current legal position. To the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest (καλλιον ἐπιγινώσκεις, kallion epiginōskeis)—'you know better, you know full well.'
Paul fearlessly confronts the procurator's moral cowardice. The phrase 'very well knowest' implies Festus had already concluded Paul's innocence but sought political compromise. Paul refuses to be a pawn in provincial politics, asserting that truth and justice matter more than administrative convenience.