They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.
Parallel translations
- WEB who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
- KJV Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
- NKJV who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.
- NASB And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there were no grounds for putting me to death.
- NLT The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.
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
Paul notes that the Romans examined him and wished to release him, finding no capital offense. His innocence underscores the injustice of his bonds.
Overview
Paul recounts that the Roman authorities, after investigation, found no grounds for a death sentence and intended to free him. Luke repeatedly stresses Paul's legal innocence, much as he does for Jesus before Pilate. The Christian movement is shown to be no threat to Rome; opposition arises from religious hostility, not real crime.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Acts 26:31–32On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.”
- Acts 23:29I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.
- Acts 22:24–25the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him.
- Acts 22:30The next day the commander, wanting to learn the real reason Paul was accused by the Jews, released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.
- Acts 24:10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
- Acts 25:7–8When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.
- Acts 24:22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
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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 28:18 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.