But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Parallel translations
- WEB but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
- BSB They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
- NKJV but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
- NASB but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive.
- NLT Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.
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
Festus says the dispute was about their religion and about a dead man named Jesus whom Paul claimed to be alive. He unwittingly states the central gospel claim.
Overview
From a pagan governor's lips comes the very issue at stake: the resurrection of Jesus, whom Paul declares alive. Festus treats it as an obscure religious quarrel, yet it is the truth on which all of Christianity rests. The remark underscores that the resurrection of Christ is the dividing line, dismissed by the world but proclaimed by Paul as the foundation of saving faith.
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 18:15But 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.
- 1 Cor 15:3–4For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
- Acts 17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
- Acts 26:22–23Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
- 1 Cor 15:14–20And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
- Acts 2:32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
- Acts 17:22–23Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.
- Acts 25:7And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
- Acts 18:19And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
- Acts 1:22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
- Rev 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
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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.
How Acts 25:19 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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