Acts 25:16

Acts 25:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
• New King James Version (NKJV)To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’
• New Living Translation (NLT)I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves.

Context of Acts 25:16

14Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. 17When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. 18When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.

Acts 25:16 word by word

πρὸς οὓς ἀπεκρίθην ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἔθος Ῥωμαίοις χαρίζεσθαί τινα ἄνθρωπον πρὶν ἢ ὁ κατηγορούμενος κατὰ πρόσωπον ἔχοι τοὺς κατηγόρους, τόπον τε ἀπολογίας λάβοι περὶ τοῦ ἐγκλήματος.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• whomὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• I answeredἀποκρίνωapokrinomai · to answerG611
• ·ὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• It isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• notοὐou · noG3756
• the mannerἔθοςethos · customG1485
• of the RomansῬωμαῖοςRhōmaios · RomanG4514
• to deliverχαρίζωcharizomai · to give graceG5483
• anyτιςtis · oneG5100
• manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• toεἰςeis · towardG1519
• dieἀπώλειαapōleia · destructionG684
• beforeπρίνprin · beforeG4250
• thatἤē · orG2228
• he whichὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• is accusedκατηγορέωkatēgoreō · to accuseG2723
• haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• the accusersκατήγοροςkatēgoros · accuserG2725
• faceπρόσωπονprosōpon · faceG4383
• toκατάkata · according toG2596
• andτεte · and/bothG5037
• haveλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• licenceτόποςtopos · placeG5117
• to answer for himselfἀπολογίαapologia · defenceG627
• concerningπερίperi · aboutG4012
• the crime laid against himἔγκλημαegklēma · accusationG1462

Cross-references for Acts 25:16

• Acts 25:4Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.
• Acts 26:1Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:
• Deuteronomy 17:4and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,
• Deuteronomy 19:17the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time.
• Proverbs 18:13To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.
• John 7:51“Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”

Commentaries on Acts 25:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die - , To Make a Present of any man; gratuitously to give up the life of any man, through favor or caprice. Here is a reference to the subject discussed on Acts 25:11. Before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, etc. - For this righteous procedure the Roman laws were celebrated over the civilized world. Appian, in his Hist. Roman., says: . It is not their custom to condemn men…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16It is not the manner … - He here states the reasons which he gave the Jews for not delivering Paul into their hands. In Acts 25:4-5, we have an account of the fact that he would not accede to the requests of the Jews; and he here states that the reason of his refusal was that it was contrary to the Roman law. Appian, in his Roman History, says, “It is not their custom to condemn men before they are heard.” Philo (DePraesi. Rom.) says the same thing. In…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-27Verses 13-27 Agrippa had the government of Galilee. How many unjust and hasty judgments the Roman maxim, ver. #(16), condemn! This heathen, guided only by the light of nature, followed law and custom exactly, yet how many Christians will not follow the rules of truth, justice, and charity, in judging their brethren! The questions about God's worship, the way of salvation, and the truths of the gospel, may appear doubtful and without interest, to worldly…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16This was a fundamental principle: Roman law did not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves (see 19:38–39). This showed Roman legal procedures in a positive way.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-2116-21. to deliver any man to die--On the word "deliver up," see on Ac 25:11.Read the comment

Topics related to Acts 25:16

• Citizens
• Paul
• Prisoners
• Roman Empire

In the dictionaries

• Accuser
• Affirm
• Herod Arippa II.
• James
• Offend
• Pleasure
• Principal
• Stand
• Acts of the Apostles
• Appeal

Commentaries on Acts 25

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings