King James Version

What Does Acts 25:26 Mean?

Acts 25:26 in the King James Version says “Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially befo... — study this verse from Acts chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

Acts 25:26 · KJV


Context

24

And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25

But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26

Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27

For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord—Festus faces a bureaucratic dilemma: περὶ οὗ ἀσφαλές τι γράψαι τῷ κυρίῳ οὐκ ἔχω (peri hou asphales ti grapsai tō kyriō ouk echō, 'concerning whom I have nothing reliable to write to the lord'). My lord refers to Caesar (using kyrios, 'lord,' the title emperors increasingly claimed). Festus must send formal charges (liber dimissorius) with the appeal, but he has none—Jewish accusations proved empty, and he found no crime.

Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write—Festus seeks help. The address μάλιστα ἐπὶ σοῦ, βασιλεῦ Ἀγρίππα (malista epi sou, basileu Agrippa, 'especially before you, King Agrippa') appeals to Agrippa's Jewish expertise. The purpose: ὅπως τῆς ἀνακρίσεως γενομένης σχῶ τί γράψω (hopōs tēs anakriseōs genomenēs schō ti grapsō, 'so that after examination I might have something to write'). Ironically, Festus asks Agrippa to formulate charges against an innocent man.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman legal procedure required specific charges when sending appeals to Caesar. A governor who sent a prisoner without clear accusations would appear incompetent and might face consequences. Festus's request to Agrippa reveals both his administrative bind and his political calculation—involving the Jewish king shares responsibility and provides expert consultation. The scene is ironic: two authorities who find Paul innocent strategize how to write charges against him. Yet God uses even this to give Paul another platform for gospel proclamation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Festus's dilemma—having to write charges against a man he knows is innocent—reveal about how political necessity can corrupt justice?
  2. How does the irony of authorities seeking charges against an innocent Paul parallel Pilate's situation with Jesus?
  3. In what ways does this passage comfort Christians facing unjust accusations—even authorities who oppose us often know we've done no wrong?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
περὶ1 of 27

Of

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

οὗ2 of 27

whom

G3739

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

ἀσφαλές3 of 27

certain

G804

secure (literally or figuratively)

τί4 of 27

somewhat

G5100

some or any person or object

γράψαι5 of 27

to write

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

τῷ6 of 27
G3588

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

κυρίῳ7 of 27

unto my lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

οὐκ8 of 27

no

G3756

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

σχῶ9 of 27

I have

G2192

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

διὸ10 of 27

Wherefore

G1352

through which thing, i.e., consequently

προήγαγον11 of 27

I have brought

G4254

to lead forward (magisterially); intransitively, to precede (in place or time (participle, previous))

αὐτὸν12 of 27

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

ἐπὶ13 of 27

before

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

ὑμῶν14 of 27

you

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ15 of 27

and

G2532

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

μάλιστα16 of 27

specially

G3122

(adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly

ἐπὶ17 of 27

before

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

σοῦ18 of 27

thee

G4675

of thee, thy

βασιλεῦ19 of 27

O king

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

Ἀγρίππα20 of 27

Agrippa

G67

wild-horse tamer; agrippas, one of the herods

ὅπως21 of 27

that

G3704

what(-ever) how, i.e., in the manner that (as adverb or conjunction of coincidence, intentional or actual)

τῆς22 of 27
G3588

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

ἀνακρίσεως23 of 27

after examination

G351

a (judicial) investigation

γενομένης24 of 27

had

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

σχῶ25 of 27

I have

G2192

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

τί26 of 27

somewhat

G5100

some or any person or object

γράψαι27 of 27

to write

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe


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 25:26 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 25:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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