Acts 25:26
Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
Original Language Analysis
περὶ
Of
G4012
περὶ
Of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
1 of 27
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
οὗ
whom
G3739
οὗ
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 27
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
γράψαι
to write
G1125
γράψαι
to write
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
5 of 27
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίῳ
unto my lord
G2962
κυρίῳ
unto my lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
7 of 27
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
σχῶ
I have
G2192
σχῶ
I have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
9 of 27
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
προήγαγον
I have brought
G4254
προήγαγον
I have brought
Strong's:
G4254
Word #:
11 of 27
to lead forward (magisterially); intransitively, to precede (in place or time (participle, previous))
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 27
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
ἐπὶ
before
G1909
ἐπὶ
before
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μάλιστα
specially
G3122
μάλιστα
specially
Strong's:
G3122
Word #:
16 of 27
(adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly
ἐπὶ
before
G1909
ἐπὶ
before
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
βασιλεῦ
O king
G935
βασιλεῦ
O king
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
19 of 27
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
ὅπως
that
G3704
ὅπως
that
Strong's:
G3704
Word #:
21 of 27
what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενομένης
had
G1096
γενομένης
had
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
24 of 27
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Historical Context
Roman legal procedure required specific charges when sending appeals to Caesar. A governor who sent a prisoner without clear accusations would appear incompetent and might face consequences. Festus's request to Agrippa reveals both his administrative bind and his political calculation—involving the Jewish king shares responsibility and provides expert consultation. The scene is ironic: two authorities who find Paul innocent strategize how to write charges against him. Yet God uses even this to give Paul another platform for gospel proclamation.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Festus's dilemma—having to write charges against a man he knows is innocent—reveal about how political necessity can corrupt justice?
- How does the irony of authorities seeking charges against an innocent Paul parallel Pilate's situation with Jesus?
- In what ways does this passage comfort Christians facing unjust accusations—even authorities who oppose us often know we've done no wrong?
Analysis & Commentary
Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord—Festus faces a bureaucratic dilemma: περὶ οὗ ἀσφαλές τι γράψαι τῷ κυρίῳ οὐκ ἔχω (peri hou asphales ti grapsai tō kyriō ouk echō, 'concerning whom I have nothing reliable to write to the lord'). My lord refers to Caesar (using kyrios, 'lord,' the title emperors increasingly claimed). Festus must send formal charges (liber dimissorius) with the appeal, but he has none—Jewish accusations proved empty, and he found no crime.
Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write—Festus seeks help. The address μάλιστα ἐπὶ σοῦ, βασιλεῦ Ἀγρίππα (malista epi sou, basileu Agrippa, 'especially before you, King Agrippa') appeals to Agrippa's Jewish expertise. The purpose: ὅπως τῆς ἀνακρίσεως γενομένης σχῶ τί γράψω (hopōs tēs anakriseōs genomenēs schō ti grapsō, 'so that after examination I might have something to write'). Ironically, Festus asks Agrippa to formulate charges against an innocent man.