Bible Strands
Acts 23:29
I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Roman commander Claudius Lysias writes to Governor Felix, reporting the conclusion of his investigation into the Sanhedrin's allegations against Paul.
The words — The Greek zētēmatōn (ζητημάτων) translates to "questions" or "disputes," emphasizing the theological nature of the controversy. The verb heuron (εὗρον) means "I found," marking the commander's official legal determination.
The thread — This verdict aligns with the Roman officials' later assessments in Acts 25:25 and Acts 26:31, and recalls the earlier dismissal of internal Jewish disputes in Acts 18:15.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to recognize that internal religious disputes do not meet Roman legal thresholds for capital punishment, establishing a boundary between Jewish law and imperial jurisdiction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
Cross-references
- Acts 26:31 On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.”
- Acts 18:15 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.”
- Acts 25:25 But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.
- Acts 25:7 When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.
- Acts 25:11 If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
- Acts 25:19 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.
- Acts 28:18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.
- Acts 23:6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
- Acts 24:5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
- Acts 24:10 When 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.