Acts 28:18
New International Version
They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.

New Living Translation
The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence.

English Standard Version
When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

Berean Standard Bible
They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.

Berean Literal Bible
who having examined me, were wanting to let me go, on account of not one cause of death existing in me.

King James Bible
Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

New King James Version
who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.

New American Standard Bible
And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there were no grounds for putting me to death.

NASB 1995
“And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.

NASB 1977
“And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.

Legacy Standard Bible
And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death.

Amplified Bible
After they had interrogated me, they were ready to release me because I was not guilty of any offense deserving death.

Christian Standard Bible
After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since I had not committed a capital offense.

American Standard Version
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.

Contemporary English Version
They looked into the charges against me and wanted to release me. They found that I had not done anything deserving death.

English Revised Version
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Roman authorities cross-examined me and wanted to let me go because I was accused of nothing for which I deserved to die.

Good News Translation
After questioning me, the Romans wanted to release me, because they found that I had done nothing for which I deserved to die.

International Standard Version
They examined me and wanted to let me go because there was no reason for me to receive the death penalty in my case.

Majority Standard Bible
They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.

NET Bible
When they had heard my case, they wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me.

New Heart English Bible
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.

Webster's Bible Translation
Who when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

Weymouth New Testament
They, after they had sharply questioned me, were willing to set me at liberty, because they found no offence in me for which I deserve to die.

World English Bible
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
who having examined me, were willing to release [me], because of their being no cause of death in me,

Berean Literal Bible
who having examined me, were wanting to let me go, on account of not one cause of death existing in me.

Young's Literal Translation
who, having examined me, were wishing to release me, because of their being no cause of death in me,

Smith's Literal Translation
Who, having examined me, wished to loose, for no cause of death was in me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me;

Catholic Public Domain Version
And after they held a hearing about me, they would have released me, because there was no case for death against me.

New American Bible
After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me, because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.

New Revised Standard Version
When they had examined me, the Romans wanted to release me, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, because they found in me no cause worthy of death.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And when they had examined me, they wished to release me, because the Rulers found nothing in me deserving death.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
They, after examination, would have released me, for they found no cause of death in me.

Godbey New Testament
who judging me, were counseling to release me, because there was nothing worthy of death in me:

Haweis New Testament
Who, after a full examination, would have discharged me, because there was not the least cause found in me for death.

Mace New Testament
who, after my examination, would have discharg'd me, as having done nothing that was capital.

Weymouth New Testament
They, after they had sharply questioned me, were willing to set me at liberty, because they found no offence in me for which I deserve to die.

Worrell New Testament
who, indeed, having examined me, were disposed to release me, because there was in me no cause of death.

Worsley New Testament
who when they had examined me, would have set me at liberty, because there was no crime worthy of death found in me:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul Preaches at Rome
17After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18They examined me and wanted to release me, because there was no basis for a death sentence against me. 19But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, even though I have no charge to bring against my nation.…

Cross References
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 23:9
A great clamor arose, and some scribes from the party of the Pharisees got up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”

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 24:23-27
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs. / After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. / As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.” ...

Acts 23:29
I found that the accusation involved questions about their own law, but there was no charge worthy of death or imprisonment.

Acts 22:24-30
the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him. / But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?” / On hearing this, the centurion went and reported it to the commander. “What are you going to do?” he said. “This man is a Roman citizen.” ...

Acts 25:18-19
But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. / They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Acts 26:32
And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

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 25:7-8
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove. / Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

Acts 26:6-8
And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise that God made to our fathers, / the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. It is because of this hope, O king, that I am accused by the Jews. / Why would any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

Acts 23:6
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

Acts 24:20-21
Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, / unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”

Acts 25:10-11
Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. / If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

Acts 26:9-11
So then, I too was convinced that I ought to do all I could to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. / And that is what I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the chief priests I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. / I frequently had them punished in the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme. In my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.


Treasury of Scripture

Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

Acts 22:24,25,30
The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him…

Acts 24:10,22
Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: …

Acts 25:7,8
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…

Jump to Previous
Case Cause Crime Death Deserve Desired Die Examined Found Free Ground Guilty Liberty Minded Offence Penalty Putting Questioned Reason Release Sharply Wanted Willing Wished Wishing Worthy
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Case Cause Crime Death Deserve Desired Die Examined Found Free Ground Guilty Liberty Minded Offence Penalty Putting Questioned Reason Release Sharply Wanted Willing Wished Wishing Worthy
Acts 28
1. Paul, after his shipwreck, is kindly entertained on Malta.
5. The snake on his hand hurts him not.
8. He heals many diseases in the island.
11. They depart toward Rome.
17. He declares to the Jews the cause of his coming.
24. After his preaching some were persuaded, and some believed not.
30. Yet he preaches there two years.














They examined me
This phrase refers to the legal scrutiny Paul underwent. In the Roman judicial system, examination was a formal process where the accused was questioned to determine the validity of the charges. Paul, a Roman citizen, was entitled to a fair trial. This examination likely involved Roman officials who were assessing the accusations brought by the Jewish leaders. The process reflects the Roman commitment to legal order, as seen in Acts 25:16, where it is stated that it was not the Roman custom to hand over any man before he faced his accusers.

and wanted to release me
The desire to release Paul indicates that the Roman authorities found no substantial evidence against him. This aligns with previous accounts in Acts where Roman officials, such as Gallio in Acts 18:14-16 and Festus in Acts 25:25, found no fault in Paul. The Roman legal system was often more just than the local religious courts, which were biased against Paul due to his preaching of the Gospel.

because there was no basis for a death sentence against me
This phrase underscores the lack of legal grounds for the death penalty, which the Jewish leaders sought. Under Roman law, capital punishment required clear evidence of a crime deserving such a sentence. Paul's situation echoes that of Jesus Christ, who was also found innocent by Roman authorities (Luke 23:4, 14-15) yet was crucified due to pressure from Jewish leaders. This highlights the theme of unjust persecution faced by early Christians and the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that His followers would face trials for His name's sake (Matthew 10:18).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who is speaking in this verse. He is recounting his experiences to the Jewish leaders in Rome.

2. Roman Authorities
The officials who examined Paul and found no reason for a death sentence.

3. Jewish Leaders in Rome
The audience to whom Paul is speaking, explaining his situation and the reasons for his appeal to Caesar.

4. Rome
The city where Paul is under house arrest, awaiting trial before Caesar.

5. Caesar
The Roman Emperor to whom Paul has appealed for a fair trial.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Trials
Even when human justice systems fail, God's purposes prevail. Paul's unjust imprisonment led to the spread of the gospel in Rome.

Integrity and Innocence
Paul maintained his integrity and innocence, trusting in God's justice. Believers are called to live blamelessly, trusting God to vindicate them.

The Role of Civil Authorities
While human authorities may err, they are part of God's order. Christians are to respect and engage with them, as Paul did, using legal rights for the advancement of the gospel.

Courage in Witnessing
Paul's boldness in sharing his testimony, even under arrest, challenges believers to be courageous in their witness for Christ.

Appealing to Higher Authority
Paul’s appeal to Caesar demonstrates the legitimacy of seeking justice through appropriate channels, encouraging believers to use available means to uphold truth and justice.(18) Who, when they had examined me . . .--It is possible that we have here only the summary of a fuller narrative, and that he gave an outline of the proceedings that had taken place between his first seizure and his appeal to the emperor. What he states, however, was fully warranted by the facts. No Roman magistrate had ever condemned him. Agrippa and Festus had decided that he might have been released (Acts 26:32). He had been constrained to appeal to Caesar in self-defence, to avoid the danger of being handed over to a prejudiced tribunal or to plots of assassination (Acts 25:8-10). But, as it was, he came not, as other appellants so often came, with counter-accusations. On all such matters his lips were sealed, and his motive now was to remove any unfavourable impressions which reports from Judaea might have left on the minds of his hearers.

Verse 18. - Desired to set me at liberty for would have let me go, A.V. Had examined me (ἀνακρίναντές με); see Acts 4:9; Acts 12:19; Acts 24:8; Acts 25:26. Desired to set me at liberty (see Acts 25:18, 19, 25; Acts 26:31, 32).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[They]
οἵτινες (hoitines)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3748: Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.

examined
ἀνακρίναντές (anakrinantes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 350: From ana and krino; properly, to scrutinize, i.e. investigate, interrogate, determine.

me
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

[and] wanted
ἐβούλοντο (eboulonto)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1014: To will, intend, desire, wish. Middle voice of a primary verb; to 'will, ' i.e. be willing.

to release [me],
ἀπολῦσαι (apolysai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 630: From apo and luo; to free fully, i.e. relieve, release, dismiss, or let die, pardon or divorce.

because
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

there was
ὑπάρχειν (hyparchein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 5225: To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).

no
μηδεμίαν (mēdemian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3367: No one, none, nothing.

basis
αἰτίαν (aitian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 156: From the same as aiteo; a cause, i.e. reason, crime.

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

against
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

me.
ἐμοί (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Apostles: Acts 28:18 Who when they had examined me desired (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
Acts 28:17
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