King James Version

What Does Acts 22:30 Mean?

Acts 22:30 in the King James Version says “On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his ba... — study this verse from Acts chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

Acts 22:30 · KJV


Context

28

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

29

Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. examined him: or, tortured him

30

On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews—Unable to torture Paul, the tribune seeks θὸ ἀσφαλὲς (to asphales, 'the certainty, reliable information') about the Jewish accusations (κατηγορεῖται, katēgoreitai, 'he is accused'). The phrase βουλόμενος γνῶναι (boulomenos gnōnai, 'wanting to know') shows genuine desire to understand the charges, which seem religious rather than criminal.

He loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear—The tribune ἔλυσε (elyse, 'released') Paul from chains and convened the Sanhedrin. Commanding (ἐκέλευσε, ekeleuse) Jewish leadership to assemble shows Roman authority over local religious courts. And brought Paul down, and set him before them—Paul transitions from Roman custody to a kind of legal hearing before the Sanhedrin, though still under Roman protection. This sets up Paul's strategic declaration 'I am a Pharisee' (23:6), which divides the council and further demonstrates the theological nature of the opposition.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish court, composed of 71 members including chief priests (Sadducees), scribes, and elders (Pharisees). Rome allowed it jurisdiction over religious matters but retained control of capital punishment. The tribune's convening of the Sanhedrin was within his authority as garrison commander—he needed to determine if the charges against Paul were criminal (Roman jurisdiction) or religious (Jewish jurisdiction). This hearing (c. AD 57) becomes another opportunity for Paul to testify before Jewish leaders, fulfilling Jesus's prediction (Acts 9:15).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the tribune's desire for 'certainty' about the charges contrast with the Jewish leaders' willingness to kill Paul without clear legal grounds?
  2. What does Paul's movement from Roman military custody to the Sanhedrin hearing teach about God's sovereignty over all earthly authorities?
  3. In what ways does this passage illustrate that opposition to the gospel is often fundamentally theological/spiritual rather than genuinely legal or ethical?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 35 words
Τῇ1 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 35
G1161

but, and, etc

ἐπαύριον3 of 35

On the morrow

G1887

occurring on the succeeding day, i.e., (g2250 being implied) to-morrow

βουλόμενος4 of 35

because

G1014

to "will," i.e., (reflexively) be willing

γνῶναι5 of 35

have known

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τὸ6 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀσφαλὲς7 of 35

the certainty

G804

secure (literally or figuratively)

τὸ8 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τί9 of 35

wherefore

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

κατηγορεῖται10 of 35

he was accused

G2723

to be a plaintiff, i.e., to charge with some offence

παρὰ11 of 35

of

G3844

properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj

τῶν12 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰουδαίων13 of 35

the Jews

G2453

judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah

ἔλυσεν14 of 35

he loosed

G3089

to "loosen" (literally or figuratively)

αὐτούς15 of 35

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἀπὸ16 of 35

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῶν17 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δεσμῶν,18 of 35

his bands

G1199

a band, i.e., ligament (of the body) or shackle (of a prisoner); figuratively, an impediment or disability

καὶ19 of 35

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐκέλευσεν20 of 35

commanded

G2753

"hail"; to incite by word, i.e., order

ἐλθεῖν21 of 35

to appear

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

τοὺς22 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχιερεῖς23 of 35

the chief priests

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

καὶ24 of 35

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὅλον25 of 35

all

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τὸ26 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

συνέδριον27 of 35

council

G4892

a joint session, i.e., (specially), the jewish sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal

αὐτούς28 of 35

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ29 of 35

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

καταγαγὼν30 of 35

brought

G2609

to lead down; specially, to moor a vessel

τὸν31 of 35
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Παῦλον32 of 35

Paul

G3972

(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle

ἔστησεν33 of 35

and set him

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

εἰς34 of 35

before

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

αὐτούς35 of 35

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Acts. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Acts 22:30 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Acts 22:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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