Acts 23:29 - Paul Sent to Felix

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Context

Paul Sent to Felix
…28and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin. 29 I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment. 30When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also instructed his accusers to present their case against him before you.…

Cross References

Acts 25:25
But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.Acts 26:31-32
On their way out, they said to one another, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.” / And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”Acts 18:14-15
But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint. / But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”Acts 19:37
For you have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed our temple nor blasphemed our goddess.Acts 24:12-13
Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city. / Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.Acts 28:18
They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.Luke 23:4
Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”Luke 23:14-15
and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined Him here in your presence and found Him not guilty of your charges against Him. / Neither has Herod, for he sent Him back to us. As you can see, He has done nothing deserving of death.John 18:38
“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.John 19:4
Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”Matthew 27:23
“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”Mark 15:14
“Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!”1 Peter 2:22-23
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” / When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.Isaiah 53:9
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.Daniel 6:4
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.

Acts 23:6-9
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question…

Acts 18:15
But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

Acts 24:5,6,10-21
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: …

but.

Acts 25:7,8,11,25
And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove…

Acts 26:31
And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

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Acts 23

I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law
This phrase highlights the nature of the charges against Paul, which were primarily theological and related to Jewish law rather than Roman law. The context is Paul's trial before the Roman authorities, where the accusations stem from his teachings about Jesus and the resurrection, which were contentious among Jewish leaders. This reflects the broader conflict between early Christians and Jewish authorities, as seen in Acts 18:15, where Gallio dismisses a similar case as a matter of Jewish law. The phrase underscores the distinction between religious disputes and civil crimes in the Roman legal system.

but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment
Here, the Roman official, likely referring to Lysias, acknowledges that the accusations against Paul do not merit severe punishment under Roman law. This is significant because it demonstrates the protection Paul received as a Roman citizen, a status that afforded him certain legal rights and privileges. Historically, Roman law required clear evidence of a crime for capital punishment or imprisonment, and religious disputes did not typically meet this threshold. This phrase also echoes the innocence of Jesus before Pilate, as seen in Luke 23:4, where Pilate finds no basis for a charge against Him. It highlights the theme of unjust persecution faced by early Christians and the providential care of God in safeguarding His messengers.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul
The apostle who is the central figure in this passage. He is being accused by Jewish leaders and is under Roman custody.

2. Claudius Lysias
The Roman commander who wrote the letter to Governor Felix, explaining the situation with Paul.

3. Jewish Leaders
They are accusing Paul of offenses related to Jewish law, but not Roman law.

4. Roman Law
The legal system under which Paul is being judged, which finds no fault in him worthy of death or imprisonment.

5. Jerusalem
The city where Paul was initially seized and where the accusations originated.

Teaching Points

Understanding Legal Contexts
Recognize the distinction between religious and secular legal systems. Paul’s situation teaches us the importance of understanding the legal context in which we operate.

Integrity in Accusations
Paul’s experience reminds us to maintain integrity and truthfulness, even when falsely accused. God’s justice prevails over human accusations.

God’s Sovereignty in Trials
Despite human accusations, God’s sovereignty is evident. Paul’s life was preserved, showing that God’s plans cannot be thwarted by human schemes.

Courage in Witnessing
Paul’s boldness in the face of false accusations encourages us to stand firm in our faith and witness, trusting God for protection and vindication.

Discernment in Disputes
The passage highlights the need for discernment in distinguishing between spiritual and secular matters, ensuring we address each appropriately.

(29) Accused of questions of their law.--The points which probably presented themselves to the chiliarch's mind as the result of his inquiries were--(1) that the prisoner was accused of transgressing the rules of the Temple; (2) that the question at issue seemed to be whether he had seen a teacher named Jesus risen from the dead; (3) whether that teacher was entitled to the name of Christ.

Verse 29. - Found for perceived, A.V.; about for of, A.V. Questions; ζητήματα, only in the Acts, where it occurs five times (Acts 15:2; Acts 18:15; Acts 23:29; Acts 25:19; Acts 26:3). St. Luke also uses ζήτησις (Acts 25:20), as does St. Paul four times in the pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy 1:4, T.R.; 1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:9). Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

I found that
εὗρον (heuron)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

the accusation
ἐγκαλούμενον (enkaloumenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1458: To bring a charge against, accuse. From en and kaleo; to call in, i.e. Bring to account.

involved
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

questions
ζητημάτων (zētēmatōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 2213: A question, subject of inquiry, dispute. From zeteo; a search, i.e. a debate.

[about]
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

their [own]
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

Law,
νόμου (nomou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

there was
ἔχοντα (echonta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

no
μηδὲν (mēden)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

charge
ἔγκλημα (enklēma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1462: An accusation, charge. From egkaleo; an accusation, i.e. Offence alleged.

worthy
ἄξιον (axion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 514: Worthy, worthy of, deserving, comparable, suitable. Probably from ago; deserving, comparable or suitable.

of death
θανάτου (thanatou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288: Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.

or
ἢ (ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

imprisonment.
δεσμῶν (desmōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1199: Or desmos des-mos' neuter and masculine respectively from deo; a band, i.e. Ligament or shackle; figuratively, an impediment or disability.

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