King James Version

What Does Acts 25:16 Mean?

Acts 25:16 in the King James Version says “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 t... — study this verse from Acts chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Acts 25:16 · KJV


Context

14

And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

15

About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

16

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.

17

Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

18

Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Festus's explanation of Roman justice - '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' - articulates fundamental legal principles: presumption of innocence, right to face accusers, and opportunity for defense. These principles, rooted in Roman law, became foundational to Western jurisprudence and reflect God's own just character.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman legal procedure, though imperfectly applied, established principles of due process that protected the innocent. Festus's statement reveals pride in Roman justice even when political pressure tempted him to violate these very principles (as he later did by suggesting Jerusalem trial).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do proper legal procedures reflect God's just character and protect the innocent?
  2. What does this teach about advocating for justice systems that honor due process and presumption of innocence?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
πρὸς1 of 29

To

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

οὓς2 of 29

whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἀπεκρίθην3 of 29

I answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

ὅτι4 of 29
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐκ5 of 29

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν6 of 29

It is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἔθος7 of 29

the manner

G1485

a usage (prescribed by habit or law)

Ῥωμαίοις8 of 29

of the Romans

G4514

romaean, i.e., roman (as noun)

χαρίζεσθαί9 of 29

to deliver

G5483

to grant as a favor, i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue

τινα10 of 29

any

G5100

some or any person or object

ἄνθρωπον11 of 29

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

εἰς12 of 29

to

G1519

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

ἀπώλειαν,13 of 29

die

G684

ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)

πρὶν14 of 29

before

G4250

before

15 of 29

that

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

16 of 29
G3588

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

κατηγορούμενος17 of 29

he which is accused

G2723

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

κατὰ18 of 29

face to face

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

πρόσωπον19 of 29
G4383

the front (as being towards view), i.e., the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person

ἔχοι20 of 29

have

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

τοὺς21 of 29
G3588

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

κατηγόρους22 of 29

the accusers

G2725

against one in the assembly, i.e., a complainant at law; specially, satan

τόπον23 of 29

licence

G5117

a spot (general in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas g5561 is a large but participle locality), i.e., location (as a position, home, tract, etc

τε24 of 29
G5037

both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)

ἀπολογίας25 of 29

to answer for himself

G627

a plea ("apology")

λάβοι26 of 29

and have

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

περὶ27 of 29

concerning

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τοῦ28 of 29
G3588

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

ἐγκλήματος29 of 29

the crime laid against him

G1462

an accusation, i.e., offence alleged


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 25:16 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 25:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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