King James Version

What Does Acts 26:31 Mean?

Acts 26:31 in the King James Version says “And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bond...” — study this verse from Acts chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”

Acts 26:31 · KJV

Context

29

And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost , and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

30

And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

31

And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

32

Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying—In private consultation (ἀναχωρήσαντες ἐλάλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους, anachōrēsantes elaloun pros allēlous, 'having withdrawn, they were talking with one another'), the authorities discuss Paul's case. This sidebar conversation provides their honest assessment, free from public posturing. This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds—Their verdict: Οὐδὲν θανάτου ἢ δεσμῶν ἄξιόν πράσσει ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος (Ouden thanatou ē desmōn axion prassei ho anthrōpos houtos, 'Nothing worthy of death or imprisonment is this man doing').

This is the fifth official Roman declaration of Paul's innocence (after Gallio, Lysias, Felix, and Festus). The present tense πράσσει (prassei, 'is doing') indicates ongoing assessment—they find no past crime and no ongoing criminal activity. Yet Paul remains imprisoned. This exposes the injustice: authorities acknowledge innocence but refuse to act on it, deterred by political pressure and Paul's own appeal to Caesar. Truth is clear; justice is delayed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This private consultation between Agrippa, Festus, and their advisors represents the highest levels of Jewish and Roman authority in the region agreeing on Paul's innocence. The statement carries weight—Agrippa's Jewish expertise and Festus's Roman legal authority concur. This consensus would be known in official circles, providing protection for Christian communities throughout the region. The declaration also fulfills the pattern seen with Jesus: Pilate declared 'I find no fault in him' (John 18:38, 19:4, 19:6), yet still ordered crucifixion. Righteous suffering despite official acknowledgment of innocence marks both Christ and His followers.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the gap between acknowledged innocence and continued imprisonment illustrate the corruption that enters when political calculation overrides justice?
  2. What does this passage teach about the value of clear conscience—Paul knows authorities find him innocent, even if they won't free him?
  3. In what ways should Christians maintain hope when authorities acknowledge truth but still refuse to act justly?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
καὶ1 of 16

“And”

G2532

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

ἀναχωρήσαντες2 of 16

“when they were gone aside”

G402

to retire

ἐλάλουν3 of 16

“they talked”

G2980

to talk, i.e., utter words

πρὸς4 of 16

“between”

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,

ἀλλήλους5 of 16

“themselves”

G240

one another

λέγοντες6 of 16

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὅτι7 of 16
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Οὐδὲν8 of 16

“nothing”

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

θανάτου9 of 16

“of death”

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

ἄξιον10 of 16

“worthy”

G514

deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise)

ἢ11 of 16

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

δεσμῶν12 of 16

“of bonds”

G1199

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

πράσσει13 of 16

“doeth”

G4238

to "practise", i.e., perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from g4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication, to execute,

ὁ14 of 16
G3588

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

ἄνθρωπος15 of 16

“man”

G444

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

οὗτος16 of 16

“This”

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

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 26:31 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 26:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 23:29Acts 23:9Acts 28:182 Samuel 24:17Luke 23:14-15Acts 25:25

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