Acts 28:19

Acts 28:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
• New International Version (NIV)The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.

Context of Acts 28:19

17Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Kinsmen, though I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our fathers, yet I was turned over as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18After they had interrogated me, they were ready to release me because I was not guilty of any offense deserving death. But when the Jews objected [to my release], I was forced to appeal to Caesar (Emperor Nero), not because I had any charge to make against my nation. 20For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you, since it is for the sake of the hope of Israel (the Messiah, the resurrection) that I am bound with this chain.” 21They said to him, “We have not received [any] letters about you from Judea, nor have any of the [Jewish] brothers come here and reported or said anything bad about you.

Acts 28:19 word by word

ἀντιλεγόντων δὲ τῶν Ἰουδαίων ἠναγκάσθην ἐπικαλέσασθαι Καίσαρα οὐχ ὡς τοῦ ἔθνους μου ἔχων τι κατηγορεῖν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• when the JewsἸουδαῖοςIoudaios · JewG2453
• spake againstἀντιλέγωantilegō · to disputeG483
• I was constrainedἀναγκάζωanagkazō · to compelG315
• to appealἐπικαλέωepikaleomai · to call (on)/nameG1941
• unto CesarΚαῖσαρKaisar · CaesarG2541
• notοὐou · noG3756
• thatὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• I hadἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• oughtτιςtis · oneG5100
• to accuseκατηγορέωkatēgoreō · to accuseG2723
• myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• nationἔθνοςethnos · GentilesG1484

Cross-references for Acts 28:19

• Acts 25:10Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know.
• Acts 26:32And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (Emperor Nero).”
• Romans 12:19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God’s wrath [and His judicial righteousness]; for it is written [in Scripture], “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
• 1 Peter 2:22He committed no sin, nor was deceit ever found in His mouth.

Commentaries on Acts 28:19

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19The Jews spake against it - Against my being set at liberty. I was constrained - By a regard to my own safety and character. To appeal unto Caesar - See the notes on Acts 25:11. Not that I had aught … - I did it for my own preservation and safety, not that I wished to accuse my countrymen. Paul had been unjustly accused and injured; yet, with the true spirit of the Christian religion, he here says that he cherished no unkind feelings toward those who had…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-22Verses 17-22 It was for the honour of Paul that those who examined his case, acquitted him. In his appeal he sought not to accuse his nation, but only to clear himself. True Christianity settles what is of common concern to all mankind, and is not built upon narrow opinions and private interests. It aims at no worldly benefit or advantage, but all its gains are spiritual and eternal. It is, and always has been, the lot of Christ's holy religion, to be…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-20Paul knew that the gospel should be shared with the Jews first (13:46; Romans 1:16). He was also concerned that false charges against him might have already reached Rome. So he called together the local Jewish leaders and explained his life and work. He insisted that he had not committed any crime. But strong opposition from other Jews had forced him to appeal to the emperor. Paul said he had nothing against his own people. Instead, he wanted to explain…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 17-2017-20. Paul called the chief of the Jews together--Though banished from the capital by Claudius, the Jews enjoyed the full benefit of the toleration which distinguished the first period of Nero's reign, and were at this time in considerable numbers, wealth, and influence settled at Rome. We have seen that long before this a flourishing Christian Church existed at Rome, to which Paul wrote his Epistle (see on Ac 20:3), and the first members of which were…Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 28:19

• Appeal
• Paul

In the dictionaries

• Attain
• Compass
• Concern
• Confidence
• Constrain
• Escape
• Foreship
• James
• Kindness
• Melita

Commentaries on Acts 28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings