Acts 25:16
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
Original Language Analysis
πρὸς
To
G4314
πρὸς
To
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
1 of 29
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
οὓς
whom
G3739
οὓς
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀπεκρίθην
I answered
G611
ἀπεκρίθην
I answered
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
3 of 29
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
ὅτι
G3754
χαρίζεσθαί
to deliver
G5483
χαρίζεσθαί
to deliver
Strong's:
G5483
Word #:
9 of 29
to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
12 of 29
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατηγορούμενος
he which is accused
G2723
κατηγορούμενος
he which is accused
Strong's:
G2723
Word #:
17 of 29
to be a plaintiff, i.e., to charge with some offence
κατὰ
face to face
G2596
κατὰ
face to face
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
18 of 29
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
πρόσωπον
G4383
πρόσωπον
Strong's:
G4383
Word #:
19 of 29
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
ἔχοι
have
G2192
ἔχοι
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
20 of 29
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατηγόρους
the accusers
G2725
κατηγόρους
the accusers
Strong's:
G2725
Word #:
22 of 29
against one in the assembly, i.e., a complainant at law; specially, satan
τόπον
licence
G5117
τόπον
licence
Strong's:
G5117
Word #:
23 of 29
a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc
περὶ
concerning
G4012
περὶ
concerning
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
27 of 29
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
Historical Context
Roman legal procedure, though imperfectly applied, established principles of due process that protected the innocent. Festus's statement reveals pride in Roman justice even when political pressure tempted him to violate these very principles (as he later did by suggesting Jerusalem trial).
Questions for Reflection
- How do proper legal procedures reflect God's just character and protect the innocent?
- What does this teach about advocating for justice systems that honor due process and presumption of innocence?
Analysis & Commentary
Festus's explanation of Roman justice - 'It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself' - articulates fundamental legal principles: presumption of innocence, right to face accusers, and opportunity for defense. These principles, rooted in Roman law, became foundational to Western jurisprudence and reflect God's own just character.