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Acts 25:16

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 25:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
Acts 25:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted Festus.
14And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul`s case before the King, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
15about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed [me], asking for sentence against him.
16To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
17When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought.
18Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;
19but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
← Acts 25:15Acts 25:17 →
← Full Chapter 25 Acts Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“To whom I answered, etc.] As follows: it is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die; or to give any man to destruction; to pass sentence of death upon him, without hearing his cause, and purely at the request of another, and merely to gratify him: before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face; so as to speak to his face, or before him, what they have to charge him with: and have licence to answer for himself, concerning the crime laid against him; and this was also according to the law of the Jews, (<430751>John 7:51) though Festus, from such an application to him by the chief priests and elders, might conclude that their manner was different, he being…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“to deliver any man to die--On the word "deliver up," see on Act 25:11.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It is not the manner ... - He here states the reasons which he gave the Jews for not delivering Paul into their hands. In Acts 25:4-5, we have an account of the fact that he would not accede to the requests of the Jews; and he here states that the reason of his refusal was that it was contrary to the Roman law. Appian, in his Roman History, says, “It is not their custom to condemn men before they are heard.” Philo (DePraesi. Rom.) says the same thing. In Tacitus (History, ii.) it is said, “A defendant is not to be prohibited from adducing all things by which his innocence may be established.” It was for this that the equity of the Roman jurisprudence was celebrated throughout the world. We…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“It is not the custom of the Romans - How excellent a rule, to condemn no one unheard! A rule, which as it is common to all nations, (courts of inquisition only excepted,) so it ought to direct our proceedings in all affairs, not only in public, but private life. Acts 25:18”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“25:16 It was a fundamental principle: Roman law did not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves (cp. 19:38-39). This put Roman judicial procedure in a favorable light for readers of Acts.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“It is not: Act 25:4, Act 25:5 and have: Act 26:1; Deu 17:4, Deu 19:17, Deu 19:18; Pro 18:13, Pro 18:17; Joh 7:51 Acts 25:17”
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Related study paths

Read Acts 25 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification