Bible Strands
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!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses Governor Festus and his council after the Jewish leaders present their accusations, responding to Festus's earlier suggestion to travel to Jerusalem. He establishes his legal boundary and formally invokes his right to be tried before the Emperor.
The words — ἀδικῶ (adikō) translates to "I do wrong," and ἄξιον θανάτου (axon thanatou) means "worthy of death." These terms structure Paul's conditional declaration regarding his guilt or innocence.
The thread — The appeal resurfaces in Acts 28:19, while Festus confirms in Acts 25:25 that he found no charge worthy of death. The conditional innocence language parallels the posture of Psalms 7:3.
Why it lands — The text distinguishes between proven guilt and unproven accusation, directing judgment to proper legal authority. A reader must accept that submitting to lawful process requires demanding justice when accusations lack factual foundation.
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
For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cesar.
Cross-references
- Acts 28:19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation.
- Psalms 7:3 O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,
- 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 26:32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
- Joshua 22:22 “The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today.
- Acts 25:21 But when Paul appealed to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar.”
- 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
- 1 Samuel 27:1 David, however, said to himself, “One of these days now I will be swept away by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me all over Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.”
- Job 31:21 if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate,
- Job 31:38 if my land cries out against me and its furrows weep together,