Acts 25:21
But 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.
Original Language Analysis
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Παύλου
when Paul
G3972
Παύλου
when Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
3 of 20
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
ἐπικαλεσαμένου
had appealed
G1941
ἐπικαλεσαμένου
had appealed
Strong's:
G1941
Word #:
4 of 20
to entitle; by implication, to invoke (for aid, worship, testimony, decision, etc.)
τηρεῖσθαι
to be kept
G5083
τηρεῖσθαι
to be kept
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
5 of 20
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 20
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
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
7 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Σεβαστοῦ
of Augustus
G4575
Σεβαστοῦ
of Augustus
Strong's:
G4575
Word #:
10 of 20
venerable (august), i.e., (as noun) a title of the roman emperor, or (as adjective) imperial
τηρεῖσθαι
to be kept
G5083
τηρεῖσθαι
to be kept
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
13 of 20
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 20
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
ἕως
till
G2193
ἕως
till
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
15 of 20
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
οὗ
G3739
οὗ
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
πέμψω
I might send
G3992
πέμψω
I might send
Strong's:
G3992
Word #:
17 of 20
to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ???? (as a stronger form of ????) refers rather to the objective point or <i>term
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 20
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
Historical Context
The right of appeal (provocatio) to Caesar was a fundamental privilege of Roman citizenship, established by the Lex Julia. Any citizen could appeal a provincial governor's decision, especially in capital cases. Once appealed, the case was transferred to the emperor's jurisdiction. This process took months—gathering evidence, securing transport, scheduling the hearing. Paul's appeal removed him from both Jewish threats and Festus's political maneuvering, placing him under imperial protection. It also guaranteed his journey to Rome at Roman expense, with legal status protecting him along the way.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's appeal to Caesar demonstrate strategic use of legal rights to advance God's purposes—is this faith or presumption?
- What does Paul's willingness to appeal to a pagan emperor teach about God's sovereignty over earthly rulers and legal systems?
- In what ways did Paul's Roman citizenship and legal appeal function as divine providence preparing the way for the gospel in Rome?
Analysis & Commentary
But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus—Paul invoked his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to the emperor. The verb ἐπικαλεσαμένου (epikalesamenou, 'having appealed to') is a technical legal term. Augustus (Σεβαστός, Sebastos, the Greek equivalent of Latin Augustus, 'revered one') was the imperial title; Nero was emperor at this time (AD 59-60). The phrase τηρηθῆναι εἰς τὴν τοῦ Σεβαστοῦ διάγνωσιν (tērēthēnai eis tēn tou Sebastou diagnōsin, 'to be kept for the examination/decision of Augustus') indicates Paul requested imperial jurisdiction.
I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar—Once appeal was made, Festus had no choice. The imperative ἐκέλευσα τηρεῖσθαι αὐτόν (ekeleusa tēreisthai auton, 'I ordered him to be kept') maintains Paul in protective custody until transport to Rome. This appeal fulfilled Jesus's prophecy that Paul would testify in Rome (Acts 23:11) and opened the door for gospel proclamation in the empire's capital.