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.
Original Language Analysis
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
3 of 28
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἀδικῶ
I be an offender
G91
ἀδικῶ
I be an offender
Strong's:
G91
Word #:
4 of 28
to be unjust, i.e., (actively) do wrong (morally, socially or physically)
καὶ
or
G2532
καὶ
or
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἄξιον
worthy
G514
ἄξιον
worthy
Strong's:
G514
Word #:
6 of 28
deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)
θανάτου
of death
G2288
θανάτου
of death
Strong's:
G2288
Word #:
7 of 28
(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)
πέπραχά
have committed
G4238
πέπραχά
have committed
Strong's:
G4238
Word #:
8 of 28
to "practise", i.e., perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from g4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication, to execute,
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐδείς
no man
G3762
οὐδείς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
16 of 28
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐστιν
there be
G2076
ἐστιν
there be
Strong's:
G2076
Word #:
17 of 28
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ὧν
G3739
ὧν
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
18 of 28
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
οὗτοι
of these things whereof these
G3778
οὗτοι
of these things whereof these
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
19 of 28
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
κατηγοροῦσίν
accuse
G2723
κατηγοροῦσίν
accuse
Strong's:
G2723
Word #:
20 of 28
to be a plaintiff, i.e., to charge with some offence
οὐδείς
no man
G3762
οὐδείς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
22 of 28
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
25 of 28
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
χαρίσασθαι·
deliver
G5483
χαρίσασθαι·
deliver
Strong's:
G5483
Word #:
26 of 28
to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue
Cross References
Acts 26:32Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.Acts 28:19But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.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.Acts 25:21But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
Historical Context
The right of appeal (provocatio) dated to the Lex Valeria (509 BC) and protected citizens from arbitrary punishment. By Nero's reign (AD 54-68), appeals went to the emperor himself. Paul's appeal guaranteed transport to Rome at state expense, with continued protection until the imperial hearing. This 'appeal to Caesar' fulfilled Jesus' prophecy: 'thou must bear witness also at Rome' (Acts 23:11).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul balance submission to authority with refusing unjust treatment?
- What does this teach about using legal rights strategically to advance gospel ministry?
Analysis & Commentary
For if I be an offender... I refuse not to die—Paul's conditional statement demonstrates both submission to legitimate authority and confidence in his innocence. The Greek 'paraitoumai' (refuse, decline) shows willingness to accept just punishment if guilty. This isn't bravado but principled submission to lawful execution.
But if there be none of these things... no man may deliver me unto them—Paul asserts that his innocence prohibits political compromise. Then comes the momentous declaration: I appeal unto Caesar (Καίσαρα ἐπικαλοῦμαι, Kaisara epikaloumai). This Latin provocatio ad Caesarem was every Roman citizen's ultimate legal protection, transferring the case to the emperor's tribunal. Paul's appeal would take him to Rome—exactly where God had planned (Acts 23:11).