The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.
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.
- BSB They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against 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.
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- Acts 26:31–32When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”
- 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 22:24–25the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks, ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime they shouted against him like that.
- Acts 22:30But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
- Acts 24:10When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,
- Acts 25:7–8When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,
- Acts 24:22But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, 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.