Acts 25 Cross References - AUV

¹ Three days after Festus came to the province he went from Caesarea up to Jerusalem. ² The leading priests and the leading Jewish men [there] informed Festus of the charges against Paul. Then they begged him ³ to do them a favor by having Paul brought [from Caesarea] to Jerusalem, for they were plotting to kill him on the way. ⁴ Festus answered that [since] Paul was being held in custody in Caesarea, and [since] he himself was soon going there [i.e., he could see Paul at Caesarea at that time]. ⁵ So, he said, "Let your leaders go down with me and if there is anything [found] wrong with the man, let them bring their charges against him [at that time]." ⁶ After staying not more than eight or ten [more] days [there in Jerusalem], Festus went down to Caesarea and the following day he ordered Paul to appear before him as he sat in his court of justice. ⁷ When Paul appeared, the [Jewish] leaders who had accompanied Festus down from Jerusalem gathered around him and brought many serious charges against him, which they were not able to prove. ⁸ Paul replied in his defense, "I have not committed any sin against the law of the Jews, nor against the Temple, nor against Caesar." ⁹ But Festus, wanting to gain favor with the Jews [See 24:27], answered Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?" ¹⁰ Paul replied, "I am [already] standing before a court of Caesar's authority, where I deserve to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you very well know. ¹¹ If then I am a criminal and have committed any crime that deserves the death penalty, I will not try to avoid being put to death. But if none of the charges I have been accused of are true, [then] no one has the right to turn me over [to the authorities]. I make my appeal to Caesar." ¹² After conferring with his advisors, Festus answered Paul, "[Since] you have appealed to Caesar, then you will go to Caesar." ¹³ After a number of days King Agrippa [Note: This man was the great grandson of Herod the Great. See Matt. 2:1] and [his wife] Bernice arrived at Caesarea and came to greet Festus. ¹⁴ While they stayed there [with him] for many days, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king, saying, "There is this man [named Paul] who was left in custody by Felix. ¹⁵ When I was at Jerusalem, the leading priests and the Jewish elders presented his case before me to make a judgment against him. ¹⁶ I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to turn over any person [for sentencing] before he is faced by his accusers and has had the opportunity to defend himself against the charges made against him. ¹⁷ When therefore his accusers had assembled here I did not delay [in dealing with the matter; in fact] the very next day I sat in court and summoned the man to be brought [before me]. ¹⁸ When his accusers stood up, they brought no charge of wrongdoing as I had expected [they would]. ¹⁹ All they had was a controversy with him over their own religion and about someone named Jesus, who had died [but] whom Paul alleges is [now] alive. ²⁰ And I was perplexed as to how to proceed with the investigation, so I [finally] asked him if he would go to Jerusalem to have his case judged there. ²¹ But when Paul requested that his case be reviewed for a decision by Caesar, I ordered him to remain in custody until I could send him to Caesar." ²² Agrippa said to Festus, "I had been wanting to hear this man's testimony myself." [Festus replied], "Tomorrow you will [have the opportunity to] hear him." ²³ So, the next day, when Agrippa and [his wife] Bernice, arrived in an elaborate procession, they entered the hearing chamber, along with the commanders and leading men of the city. ²⁴ Then Festus spoke, "King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen assembled with us, you see this man whose case a large number of Jews, [first] at Jerusalem and [then] here [in Caesarea] have petitioned me [to resolve]. They have been clamoring for him to be put to death, ²⁵ but I found that he had committed nothing which deserved the death [penalty]. And since he himself appealed [his case] to the Emperor, I decided to send him [to Rome]. ²⁶ But I do not have anything specific to write to His Majesty. This is the reason I have brought him before this assembly, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after you have questioned him, I would [then] have something [substantial] to write. ²⁷ For it does not seem reasonable for me to send a prisoner [to Rome] without indicating what the [formal] charges are against him."

¹¹ You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me. ¹² Be happy and very glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. For they persecuted the prophets [who lived] before you in the same way.

¹⁸ Yes, you will [even] be brought in front of governors and kings for being loyal to me. [This will give you an opportunity] for witnessing to them [as well] as to the [unconverted] Gentiles.

⁶⁰ But they did not find any [i.e., whose stories harmonized. See Mark 14:56], even though many false witnesses came [forward to testify]. Finally, two [false witnesses] came forward ⁶¹ and said, “This man [i.e., Jesus] said, ‘I can destroy the Temple of God, and [then] rebuild it within three days.’” ⁶² The head priest stood up and said to Him, “Have you nothing to answer? What about this charge being made against you by these people?”

¹⁸ For he knew that the reason they had turned Jesus over to him was out of envy. ¹⁹ Then while he was seated in Pilate’s courtroom of justice, Pilate’s wife sent [word] to him, saying, “You should have nothing to do with that innocent man. For I was very troubled in a dream over him today.” [Note: That is, she was troubled over a dream she had before waking up that morning].

²³ And he said, “Why [should he be]? What wrong has he done?” But they shouted out even louder, “Let him be crucified!” ²⁴ So, when Pilate saw that he was not convincing anyone, but that a riot was brewing instead, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd saying, “I am not responsible for this man’s blood. [Note: Some ancient manuscripts say “righteous man’s blood”]. You tend to the matter.”

²³ And he vowed to her, “I will give you whatever you ask me for, up to one half [the wealth] of my kingdom.” ²⁴ So, she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And her mother said, “ [Ask for] the head of John the Immerser.” ²⁵ At once she hurried in to the king and said, “I would like you to give me the head of John the Immerser on a [large] platter right away.”

³ [Then] the leading priests accused Him of many things. ⁴ So, Pilate again asked Him, “Do you not have any answer? Look at how many charges they are bringing against you.”

¹⁵ So Pilate, wanting to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and after he had Jesus flogged, he turned Him over to be crucified.

¹⁸ Then they began “greeting” Him with “Hey, king of the Jews ”

¹ Now it happened in those days that a decree was sent out from Caesar Augustus [the Emperor of the Roman Empire] requiring [people from] the whole empire to be registered [i.e., for taxation purposes].

³ There was [also] a widow in that [same] town who kept coming to the judge saying, ‘Grant me a [favorable] judgment against my opponent.’ ⁴ And for some time the judge refused to do it. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not revere God or respect man, ⁵ I will grant her a [favorable] judgment because she keeps bothering me [about the matter] and is about to exhaust my patience by her persistent visits.’”

¹² But before all these things happen, the authorities will grab hold of you, and persecute you, and turn you over to the synagogues and prisons [i.e., for punishment and confinement]. They will take you in front of kings and governors for being loyal to me.

² They began bringing accusations against Him, saying, “We discovered this man misleading the people of our nation and telling them not to pay taxes to Caesar, and claiming that he himself was the Messiah, a king!”

⁴ Then Pilate said to the leading priests and to the crowds [that had gathered], “I do not find anything wrong with this man.”

⁸ Now Herod was very pleased when he saw Jesus for he had wanted to see Him for a long time. He had heard [things] about Jesus and [now] hoped to see Him perform a miracle. ⁹ So, he asked Him many questions, but Jesus did not respond to any [of them]. ¹⁰ Then the leading priests and experts in the law of Moses stood up and viciously charged Him [i.e., with false accusations].

¹⁰ Then the leading priests and experts in the law of Moses stood up and viciously charged Him [i.e., with false accusations]. ¹¹ Then Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him. They dressed Him in a luxurious robe and then sent Him back to Pilate. ¹² So, Herod and Pilate became mutual friends that very day. (Now before this they had been enemies). ¹³ Then Pilate called together the leading priests, the [Jewish] leaders and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought this man to me, claiming he was inciting people to disloyalty [i.e., to the government]. And look, I questioned him in front of you people but did not find him guilty of the charges you

¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought this man to me, claiming he was inciting people to disloyalty [i.e., to the government]. And look, I questioned him in front of you people but did not find him guilty of the charges you ¹⁵ or Herod have brought [against him]. For Herod sent him back to us and now I find that he has not done anything deserving of death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will have him punished and [then] release him.” {{Some ancient manuscripts include verse ¹⁷ For Pilate was required to release one prisoner to the people at the [Passover] Festival}}. ¹⁸ But the people all joined together shouting, “Take this man [i.e., Jesus] and release Barabbas to us [instead].” ¹⁹ [Now] Barabbas was a person who had been thrown into prison for [inciting] a rebellion in the city [of Jerusalem] and for committing murder. ²⁰ Then Pilate spoke to them again [because] he wanted to release Jesus, ²¹ but they continued shouting, “Crucify him, crucify him.”

²¹ but they continued shouting, “Crucify him, crucify him.” ²² So, Pilate called out to them a third time, “Why [should he be crucified]; what wrong has this man done? I have not found any reason for putting him to death, so I will punish him and [then] release him.”

²² So, Pilate called out to them a third time, “Why [should he be crucified]; what wrong has this man done? I have not found any reason for putting him to death, so I will punish him and [then] release him.” ²³ But the people loudly demanded that Jesus be crucified. And their shouting won out.

²³ But the people loudly demanded that Jesus be crucified. And their shouting won out.

²³ But the people loudly demanded that Jesus be crucified. And their shouting won out. ²⁴ So, Pilate issued the sentence the people were demanding

⁵¹ “Does our law pass judgment on a man before first hearing from him and learning what he did?”

³ And they will do these things because they have not known [either] the Father or me.

²⁹ So, Pilate went outside to them and asked, “What charge do you bring against this man?” ³⁰ The Jewish authorities answered Pilate, “If this man were not guilty of wrongdoing, we would not have turned him over to you.”

³⁸ Pilate replied to Him, “What is truth?” After saying this, Pilate again went outside to the Jews and said to them, “I do not find him guilty of any crime.

¹³ Then when Pilate heard [them say] this, he brought Jesus outside [again] and sat down on the judge’s bench at a place called ‘The Stone Pavement,’ but in the Hebrew language is called ‘Gabbatha.’

²² from His immersion by John [the Immerser] until He was received up from us [in a cloud]. Of these people [we must choose] someone to become a witness with us [i.e., to tell people] of Jesus' resurrection [from the dead].”

³² So, God raised this Jesus up [from the dead] and we [apostles] are all witnesses [of it].

¹³ They had arranged for the false witnesses to say, "This man will not stop speaking against the Temple and the law of Moses, ¹⁴ for we [ourselves] heard him saying that this Jesus from Nazareth would destroy the Temple and change the customs handed down to us by Moses."

⁴⁰ But [later on] Philip appeared at Azotus and after leaving there he preached the good news [of Jesus] to all the towns along the way until he reached Caesarea. [Note: Caesarea was a town on the west coast of Palestine, named after the emperor Caesar].

² to ask for letters [authorizing him to go] to Damascus and to enter [Jewish] synagogues looking for people of "the Way" [Note: This was a designation for Christians at that time]. And if he found any, whether men or women, he would tie them up and take them to Jerusalem.

¹⁵ But the Lord replied to him, "Go on your way, for Saul is someone I have especially chosen to carry my name to the [unconverted] Gentiles, kings and the Israelites.

²⁴ but he found out about their plan. And so they watched the gates [of the city] day and night [looking for their chance] to kill him.

³ When he realized that this act pleased the Jews, he proceeded to have Peter arrested also. [This happened] during the Festival of Unleavened Bread [See Exodus 12:15ff].

²¹ And then, on a particular day, Herod, dressed in his royal robes, delivered a speech [to the people] from his throne.

³⁷ But Paul responded to the officials, "These city officials had us innocent Roman citizens publicly beaten and thrown in jail. Are they now trying to release us privately? No indeed! Let the officials themselves come and [publicly] release us."

³⁷ But Paul responded to the officials, "These city officials had us innocent Roman citizens publicly beaten and thrown in jail. Are they now trying to release us privately? No indeed! Let the officials themselves come and [publicly] release us." ³⁸ So, the officers reported what Paul had said and the city officials became fearful when they learned that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.

²² Then Paul stood up in the Areopagus and said, "You men of Athens, I noticed that you are an extremely religious people in all your ways. [See verse 16] ²³ For as I traveled along [your streets] and observed what you are worshiping, I saw an altar with the inscription: [DEDICATED] TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So, what you are worshiping ignorantly is what I am telling you about.

³¹ For He has appointed a [certain] day when He will judge the people of the world according to [a standard of] true justice by the man [i.e., Jesus] whom He has appointed [as Judge, See II Tim. 4:8]. [And] He has given assurance to all people [that He will do this] by raising Jesus from the dead."

¹² But when Gallio was magistrate of Achaia [i.e., the southern province of Greece] the Jews joined forces to attack Paul and brought him before the court of justice, ¹³ and said [about him], "This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law [of Moses]." ¹⁴ When Paul was about to respond [to this charge], Gallio said to the Jews, "[My] Jewish [constituents], if it were a simple case of wrongdoing or some serious crime, there would be good reason for me to consider your charge [against this man].

¹⁴ When Paul was about to respond [to this charge], Gallio said to the Jews, "[My] Jewish [constituents], if it were a simple case of wrongdoing or some serious crime, there would be good reason for me to consider your charge [against this man]. ¹⁵ But if it is only a dispute over words, titles and your [religious] law, tend to it yourselves; I refuse to pass judgment on such [trivial] matters."

¹⁵ But if it is only a dispute over words, titles and your [religious] law, tend to it yourselves; I refuse to pass judgment on such [trivial] matters." ¹⁶ And he had them thrown out of the courtroom. ¹⁷ Then, all of them [Note: This "all" could refer to the Greeks, the Jews or the Roman officers. Since the text does not specify, it seems most reasonable to suggest it was the Romans] grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the court of justice. But Gallio showed no interest in the whole affair.

¹⁹ When they arrived at Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila there. He then went into the [Jewish] synagogue and held discussions with the Jews.

²² And when he landed at Ceasarea, he went up [Note: This would mean either up to Ceasarea or up to Jerusalem] and greeted the church [there], then went down to Antioch [in Syria].

²¹ After these things happened Paul decided to travel through Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem. He said, "Then, after I have been there I want to visit Rome also."

¹⁵ After these days we packed up our belongings and went up to Jerusalem.

²⁸ shouting, "[You] Israelites, help [us]! This man is teaching people everywhere [to be] against our people [i.e., the Jews], the law of Moses and this place [i.e., the Temple]; and in addition to that he has also brought Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] into the Temple and has [thereby] contaminated this holy place."

²² The people had listened to Paul speaking up to this point [i.e., until he said the word "Gentiles"], then they raised their voices and shouted, "Do away with such a person from the earth; it is not right for him to live."

²⁵ Just as they were tying him up [in preparation] for the flogging, Paul said to the officer nearby, "Is it lawful for you to whip a Roman [citizen] before he has been [legally] condemned?"

²⁵ Just as they were tying him up [in preparation] for the flogging, Paul said to the officer nearby, "Is it lawful for you to whip a Roman [citizen] before he has been [legally] condemned?" ²⁶ When the officer heard this, he [immediately] went and told the commander, saying, "What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen." ²⁷ Then the commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you [really] a Roman citizen?" Paul said, "Yes." ²⁸ The commander answered, "It cost me a large sum of money to obtain this [right of] citizenship." Paul replied, "But I am a Roman citizen by birth."

¹ Paul [then] looked intently at the Council [i.e., the Jewish supreme court called the "Sanhedrin"] and spoke [in his defense]: "Brothers, I have lived before God with a good conscience all my life."

⁹ A loud commotion developed [in the Council meeting]. Some of the teachers of the law of Moses who belonged to the Pharisee party stood up and argued, saying, "We can find nothing wrong with this man. What if an angel or spirit did speak to him?"

¹¹ The next night the Lord stood beside Paul [in a supernatural dream] and said, "Take courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also be my witness in Rome." ¹² When daylight came, [a group of] Jews conspired together, agreeing under oath that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ There were more than forty men who made this pact. ¹⁴ They went to the leading priests and [Jewish] elders and told them, "We have bound ourselves under an oath [with serious consequences] to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Therefore, [all of] you, together with the Jewish Council, should notify the commander so that he will bring Paul [back] down to you, as though you wanted to consider his case further. Then we will be ready to kill him, [even] before he comes near [you]."

²⁹ I found out that he was being accused over questions regarding their law, but that they had no charges against him deserving of the death penalty, or [even] of being kept in prison. ³⁰ And when I was told that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you immediately, also ordering his accusers to present their case against him in front of you."

³⁴ And when the governor read the letter, he asked what province Paul was from. When he learned that he was from Cilicia,

¹ Five days later the head priest, Ananias, came down [to Caesarea] with certain [Jewish] elders and an attorney [named] Tertullus, who brought their case against Paul before the governor.

⁵ We have found this man [i.e., Paul] to be extremely bothersome, and an instigator of strife among the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. ⁶ We arrested him, for he attempted to desecrate [even] the Temple {{Some ancient manuscripts add verse

⁶ We arrested him, for he attempted to desecrate [even] the Temple {{Some ancient manuscripts add verse

⁸ [and] you will be able to determine the nature of our accusations against him by questioning him yourself."

¹² [While there] I was not observed arguing with anyone or trying to stir up a crowd [to riot] in the Temple or in the synagogues or [anywhere else] in the city. ¹³ Neither can anyone prove to you the charges they are now bringing against me.

¹⁷ "Now after several years I came [to Jerusalem] to bring relief for the poor people of my nation and to present my offerings. ¹⁸ While doing this, they [i.e., the Jews] found out that I had undergone the rites of purification in the Temple. There was no crowd and no commotion. But certain Jews from [the province of] Asia ¹⁹ should have been here before you, [Your Excellency] to make their accusations, if they [really] had a valid charge against me. ²⁰ Or let these men themselves [i.e., members of the Sanhedrin] testify what they found wrong with me when I stood before their Council [meeting]. ²¹ However, this one point, which I made when I stood among them [could have been objectionable]: I shouted, 'The reason I am being charged before you today is [my preaching of] the resurrection of the dead.' "

²³ So, he ordered his officer to keep Paul in custody, yet with some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to his needs.

²⁷ So, Felix allowed Paul to remain in chains, because he wanted to gain favor with the Jews [during that period of time]. Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus.

¹ Three days after Festus came to the province he went from Caesarea up to Jerusalem. ² The leading priests and the leading Jewish men [there] informed Festus of the charges against Paul. Then they begged him ³ to do them a favor by having Paul brought [from Caesarea] to Jerusalem, for they were plotting to kill him on the way.

³ to do them a favor by having Paul brought [from Caesarea] to Jerusalem, for they were plotting to kill him on the way. ⁴ Festus answered that [since] Paul was being held in custody in Caesarea, and [since] he himself was soon going there [i.e., he could see Paul at Caesarea at that time]. ⁵ So, he said, "Let your leaders go down with me and if there is anything [found] wrong with the man, let them bring their charges against him [at that time]."

⁵ So, he said, "Let your leaders go down with me and if there is anything [found] wrong with the man, let them bring their charges against him [at that time]." ⁶ After staying not more than eight or ten [more] days [there in Jerusalem], Festus went down to Caesarea and the following day he ordered Paul to appear before him as he sat in his court of justice. ⁷ When Paul appeared, the [Jewish] leaders who had accompanied Festus down from Jerusalem gathered around him and brought many serious charges against him, which they were not able to prove.

⁹ But Festus, wanting to gain favor with the Jews [See 24:27], answered Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?" ¹⁰ Paul replied, "I am [already] standing before a court of Caesar's authority, where I deserve to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you very well know.

¹⁰ Paul replied, "I am [already] standing before a court of Caesar's authority, where I deserve to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you very well know. ¹¹ If then I am a criminal and have committed any crime that deserves the death penalty, I will not try to avoid being put to death. But if none of the charges I have been accused of are true, [then] no one has the right to turn me over [to the authorities]. I make my appeal to Caesar."

¹¹ If then I am a criminal and have committed any crime that deserves the death penalty, I will not try to avoid being put to death. But if none of the charges I have been accused of are true, [then] no one has the right to turn me over [to the authorities]. I make my appeal to Caesar." ¹² After conferring with his advisors, Festus answered Paul, "[Since] you have appealed to Caesar, then you will go to Caesar." ¹³ After a number of days King Agrippa [Note: This man was the great grandson of Herod the Great. See Matt. 2:1] and [his wife] Bernice arrived at Caesarea and came to greet Festus.

¹⁵ When I was at Jerusalem, the leading priests and the Jewish elders presented his case before me to make a judgment against him. ¹⁶ I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to turn over any person [for sentencing] before he is faced by his accusers and has had the opportunity to defend himself against the charges made against him. ¹⁷ When therefore his accusers had assembled here I did not delay [in dealing with the matter; in fact] the very next day I sat in court and summoned the man to be brought [before me]. ¹⁸ When his accusers stood up, they brought no charge of wrongdoing as I had expected [they would]. ¹⁹ All they had was a controversy with him over their own religion and about someone named Jesus, who had died [but] whom Paul alleges is [now] alive. ²⁰ And I was perplexed as to how to proceed with the investigation, so I [finally] asked him if he would go to Jerusalem to have his case judged there. ²¹ But when Paul requested that his case be reviewed for a decision by Caesar, I ordered him to remain in custody until I could send him to Caesar." ²² Agrippa said to Festus, "I had been wanting to hear this man's testimony myself." [Festus replied], "Tomorrow you will [have the opportunity to] hear him." ²³ So, the next day, when Agrippa and [his wife] Bernice, arrived in an elaborate procession, they entered the hearing chamber, along with the commanders and leading men of the city. ²⁴ Then Festus spoke, "King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen assembled with us, you see this man whose case a large number of Jews, [first] at Jerusalem and [then] here [in Caesarea] have petitioned me [to resolve]. They have been clamoring for him to be put to death, ²⁵ but I found that he had committed nothing which deserved the death [penalty]. And since he himself appealed [his case] to the Emperor, I decided to send him [to Rome].

¹ Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." So, Paul motioned [to the assembly] with his hand [for attention] and began speaking in his defense: ² "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am able to defend myself before you concerning all the charges being brought against me by the Jews, ³ especially since you are an expert on all the customs and issues discussed among the Jews. So, for this reason I request that you hear [my response to them] patiently.

⁹ I truly thought within myself [that it was right] to do many things which were opposed to the name of Jesus from Nazareth. ¹⁰ So, I was doing this in Jerusalem, having received [my] authority from the leading priests. I both imprisoned many of the saints [i.e., God's holy people] and [even] voiced my approval when they were put to death [See 8:1]. ¹¹ I often persecuted them in the synagogues, [even] trying to get them to blaspheme [i.e., speak against God]. I had extreme anger toward them and [even] traveled to foreign cities [in my effort] to persecute them.

²² But I obtained help from God and so [I am able to] stand here to this day, testifying to both the common people and to those in prominence. [I am] saying only what the prophets and Moses said would happen, ²³ namely, that the Christ must suffer and be the first to rise from the dead [i.e., never to die again] and then proclaim the light [of the Gospel] to the [Jewish] people and to the Gentiles."

²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe [the message of] the prophets? [Yes] I know you do." ²⁸ Agrippa said to Paul, "You expect to persuade me to be a Christian with such little effort [or, in such a short time]?"

³⁰ Then King Agrippa, [his wife] Bernice, Governor [Festus] and [the commanders and leading men of the city, 25:23] all rose up, ³¹ and when they left [the room] they conferred with one another, saying, "This man is not doing anything deserving of the death penalty or [even] imprisonment." ³² Then Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed [his case] to Caesar."

³² Then Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed [his case] to Caesar."

¹⁶ When we entered Rome [itself] Paul was permitted to live alone except for a soldier who guarded him. ¹⁷ And it happened after three days that Paul called together those who were the leading Jews, and when they assembled he said to them, "Brothers, although I had done nothing against the [Jewish] people or the customs of our forefathers, yet I was made a prisoner at Jerusalem, being placed in the custody of the Romans [while there]. ¹⁸ After questioning me, they wanted to release me because they could not find any grounds for sentencing me to death. ¹⁹ But when the Jews objected to this, I was compelled to appeal [my case] to Caesar, even though I had done nothing against my country.

²¹ Then they said to him, "We did not receive any letters from Judea about you, nor did any of the brothers come here to report anything bad about you.

⁸ And why should we not say, “Let us do what is wrong so something good will come from it,” as some people slanderously claim that we are saying? These people deserve to be condemned.

¹² Everyone has turned away [from God]. All of them have become worthless. No one is [always] kind; no, not even one person.” ¹³ [Psa. 5:9 says], “Their throats are like open graves [i.e., they are foul-mouthed]. They have spoken deceitfully.” [Psa. 90:3 says], “There is snake venom under their lips [i.e., their words are deadly].” ¹⁴ [Psa. 10:7 says], “Their speech is full of cursing and bitterness.” ¹⁵ [Isa. 59:7ff says], “Their feet [take them where they] are quick to commit murder. ¹⁶ Their pathways are strewn with ruin and misery [i.e., caused by them]. ¹⁷ They have not known [how to walk on] a peaceful pathway.” ¹⁸ [Psa. 36:1 says], “They do not view God with reverence.” ¹⁹ Now we [all] know that everything the law says applies to those who are under [obligation to obey] that law, [Note: Here “the law” appears to refer to the Old Testament Scriptures generally, since Psalms and Isaiah are quoted. See verses 10-18]. This is so that the mouth of every objector may be stopped [i.e., from making excuses for his sin], and thereby bring the entire world under God’s judgment [i.e., both Jews and Gentiles].

²⁸ So, when I have completed this task, and have guaranteed [the safe delivery of] this offering to them, I will visit you on my way to Spain. ²⁹ And I know that when I arrive there [in Rome], I will be coming with an abundance of Christ’s blessings [to give to you. See 1:11-12].

³¹ And those who make use of the things of the world [should live] as though they were not [really] involved with them. For the world as we know it is passing away. [Note: The five “as though’s” of verses 29-31 are intended to emphasize that Christians should live with eternity in mind and not to become preoccupied with even legitimate earthly circumstances].

³ For I passed on to you the [following] main principles that I received [i.e., by revelation]: Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; ⁴ He was buried; He was raised [from the dead] on the third day, according to the Scriptures;

¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised up, then our preaching is for nothing, and your faith is for nothing too. ¹⁵ And also, we are found to be false witnesses about God because we testified that God raised up Christ [from the dead], when [in reality] He did not raise Him up if, in fact, the dead are not raised up. ¹⁶ For if dead people are not raised up, [then] neither has Christ been raised. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised up, [then] your faith is for nothing; you are still condemned by your sins. ¹⁸ Then [also], those who have died in [fellowship with] Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If we have placed our hope in Christ while in this life only, we are to be pitied more than all [other] people. ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised up from the dead; [He is] the firstfruits of those who have died. [Note: By “firstfruits” is meant the first installment of the crop which promises the entire harvest eventually].

¹² For this is what we boast of: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness and godly sincerity, not with human wisdom, but with the favor of God.

² Instead, we have renounced [the practice of] secret, disgraceful behavior. We do not practice deception, nor resort to distorting God’s message. But, by making known the truth [i.e., the true message], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the presence of God.

¹⁰ For we must all appear in front of the judgment bar of Christ, so that each one of us may receive what is due him for what he had done while in his [physical] body [i.e., on earth], whether it be good or bad.

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers, that the things that happened to me have resulted in the advancement [of the influence] of the Gospel rather [than hindering it], ¹³ so that my imprisonment for Christ became known throughout the entire headquarters of the governor [i.e., among all his personnel], and to everyone else. ¹⁴ And most of the brothers in the Lord’s [service], through my imprisonment, gained confidence to speak out God’s message with greater courage and without fear.

²⁰ It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not have to be ashamed about anything, but that I will have the courage, [both] now and always, [to so live] that Christ will be exalted [i.e., honored] in my body, whether I live or die.

¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus and the [Old Testament] prophets and also drove us [apostles] out [of Thessalonica and Berea. See Acts 17]. They are not pleasing to God and are hostile to all people,

¹⁶ At my first defense [Note: Paul here refers to his initial hearing before the Roman court] no one supported me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass [so that] its flower [blossoms] fall off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the wealthy person will fade away as he goes about his business [affairs].

⁶ But you people have dishonored the poor person. Are not rich people the ones who oppress you and drag you to court?

²⁴ For all forms of flesh are similar to grass, and all the splendor of [a person’s] flesh is like the flower [which blossoms] from the grass. [But as with] grass, [a person’s flesh] withers, and its flower [i.e., his splendor] falls off.

¹⁴ If you are spoken against for being Christians, you have God’s blessing, because His glorious Holy Spirit rests upon you [to provide comfort, See John 14:16]. ¹⁵ [However], you should not have to suffer for murdering, stealing, doing evil or interfering in the affairs of others. ¹⁶ But if a person should have to suffer because he is a Christian, he should not be ashamed [of it], but instead, he should bring honor to God by [wearing] the name [of Christ].

¹⁶ For all that makes up the world, namely, the improper desires of the physical body, the improper desires for what is seen, and the [boastful] pride over life’s possessions; these are not from the Father, but from the [godless] world.

¹⁸ and the Living One. I was dead, and see, I am [now] alive forever and ever! And I possess the keys of death and of the unseen place of departed spirits.