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.”
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.”
- KJV 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.
- 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.”
- 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 23:29I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment.
- Acts 25:19but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
- 1 Tim 6:4he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, insulting, evil suspicions,
- Titus 3:9but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
- Acts 26:3especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
- Matt 27:24So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.”
- 2 Tim 2:23But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.
- 1 Tim 1:4and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith —
- Acts 25:11For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
- John 18:31Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,”
- Matt 27:4saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”
- Acts 24:6–8He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.
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Christ at the center
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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