But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.
Parallel translations
- WEB but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I don’t want to be a judge of these matters.”
- BSB But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”
- NKJV But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters.”
- NASB but if there are questions about teaching and persons and your own law, see to it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.”
- NLT But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Gallio declined to rule on questions of Jewish words, names, and law, telling the accusers to settle it themselves.
Overview
To Roman eyes the dispute concerned internal Jewish matters, especially the name of Jesus and interpretation of the law. Gallio's refusal to act as judge shielded the young church from official persecution at that moment. Luke records it as evidence that the gospel posed no threat to civil order, fulfilling Christ's promise of protection in this city.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Acts 23:29Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
- Acts 25:19But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
- 1 Tim 6:4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
- Titus 3:9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
- Acts 26:3Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
- Matt 27:24When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
- 2 Tim 2:23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
- 1 Tim 1:4Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
- Acts 25:11For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
- John 18:31Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
- Matt 27:4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
- Acts 24:6–8Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
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Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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