Acts 25:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
πρὸς
To
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,
#2
οὓς
whom
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#3
ἀπεκρίθην
I answered
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
#4
ὅτι
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#5
οὐκ
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#6
ἔστιν
It is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#7
ἔθος
the manner
a usage (prescribed by habit or law)
#8
Ῥωμαίοις
of the Romans
romaean, i.e., roman (as noun)
#9
χαρίζεσθαί
to deliver
to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue
#10
τινα
any
some or any person or object
#11
ἄνθρωπον
man
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#12
εἰς
to
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
#13
ἀπώλειαν,
die
ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)
#14
πρὶν
before
before
#15
that
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
#16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
κατηγορούμενος
he which is accused
to be a plaintiff, i.e., to charge with some offence
#18
κατὰ
face to face
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
#19
πρόσωπον
the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person
#20
ἔχοι
have
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
#21
τοὺς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#22
κατηγόρους
the accusers
against one in the assembly, i.e., a complainant at law; specially, satan
#23
τόπον
licence
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
#24
τε
both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)
#25
ἀπολογίας
to answer for himself
a plea ("apology")
#26
λάβοι
and have
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
#27
περὶ
concerning
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
#28
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#29
ἐγκλήματος
the crime laid against him
an accusation, i.e., offence alleged

Analysis

Within the broader context of Acts, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Acts.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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