Acts 25:11 Meaning and Explanation
“For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul declares he would accept death if guilty, but being innocent he appeals to Caesar.
What Does Acts 25:11 Mean?
Paul lays out his case with striking honesty. If he has truly done something deserving death, he does not beg to escape it. But since the charges are baseless, no one has the right to hand him over to his enemies. Then he invokes his ultimate privilege as a Roman citizen: I appeal unto Caesar, lifting the case to the emperor's court in Rome.
Here is courage without recklessness and innocence without fear of death. Paul is ready to die if justice required it, yet he will not let injustice take him. His appeal also quietly fulfills the Lord's promise that he would bear witness in Rome. God's purposes often advance through the faithful, wise use of the very rights and opportunities He sets before us.
Acts 25:11 in the Original Language
epikaloumai (ἐπικαλοῦμαι), 'I appeal' -- to formally call upon a higher authority, here a citizen's claim to be tried before the emperor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acts 25:11
What does Acts 25:11 mean?
Paul declares he would accept death if guilty, but being innocent he appeals to Caesar.