Acts 25:18
Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
Original Language Analysis
περὶ
Against
G4012
περὶ
Against
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
ὧν
of such things as
G3739
ὧν
of such things as
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 11
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
σταθέντες
stood up
G2476
σταθέντες
stood up
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
3 of 11
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατήγοροι
when the accusers
G2725
κατήγοροι
when the accusers
Strong's:
G2725
Word #:
5 of 11
against one in the assembly, i.e., a complainant at law; specially, satan
οὐδεμίαν
none
G3762
οὐδεμίαν
none
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
6 of 11
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
αἰτίαν
accusation
G156
αἰτίαν
accusation
Strong's:
G156
Word #:
7 of 11
a cause (as if asked for), i.e., (logical) reason (motive, matter), (legal) crime (alleged or proved)
ἐπέφερον
they brought
G2018
ἐπέφερον
they brought
Strong's:
G2018
Word #:
8 of 11
to bear upon (or further), i.e., adduce (personally or judicially (accuse, inflict)), superinduce
ὧν
of such things as
G3739
ὧν
of such things as
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 11
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Historical Context
Roman governors dealt with genuine insurrectionists regularly—Judea had frequent uprisings and zealot movements. Festus expected charges of sedition (maiestas, treason against Rome) or sacrilege against the temple (which Rome protected as politically stabilizing). When the charges proved religious, Festus was in a bind: he couldn't convict on Jewish theological grounds, but sending Paul back to the Sanhedrin would violate Roman procedure and possibly result in Paul's murder. This dilemma led to Festus's proposal to try Paul in Jerusalem (v. 9), which Paul refused by appealing to Caesar.
Questions for Reflection
- Why do opponents of the gospel often resort to political accusations (danger to society) when the real issue is theological (rejection of Christ's lordship)?
- How does Festus's surprise at the nature of accusations reveal the disconnect between how Christianity threatens worldly power and how its opponents portray it?
- In what ways have you seen theological opposition to Christianity disguised as political or social concerns?
Analysis & Commentary
Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed—Festus admits surprise. He expected κατηγορίαν (katēgorian, 'accusation, formal charge') of serious crimes—perhaps sedition, riot, or temple violation (capital offenses under Roman law). The phrase ὧν ἐγὼ ὑπενόουν (hōn egō hypenououn, 'which I was suspecting') reveals he had been briefed about Paul as a dangerous troublemaker.
Instead, the accusations were religious, not criminal. None accusation of such things as I supposed indicates the charges didn't match the rhetoric. The Jewish leaders had portrayed Paul as a threat to Rome, but when pressed for evidence, their case dissolved into theological disputes. This echoes Pilate's finding 'no fault' in Jesus (Luke 23:4) and Gallio's dismissal of charges against Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:14-15)—Roman officials repeatedly found Christianity posed no political threat.