Acts 25 · Verse 16

Acts 25:16

To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

Acts 25:16, King James Version

Acts 25:16 in other translations

BSB	I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.
WEB	I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction before the accused has met the accusers face to face and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
ASV	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 defence concerning the matter laid against him.
YLT	unto whom I answered, that it is not a custom of Romans to make a favour of any man to die, before that he who is accused may have the accusers face to face, and may receive place of defence in regard to the charge laid against him.
DARBY	to whom I answered, It is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and he have got opportunity of defence touching the charge.
BBE	To whom I gave answer that it is not the Roman way to give a man up, till he has been face to face with those who are attacking him, and has had a chance to give an answer to the statements made against him.
Webster	To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before he who is accused hath the accusers face to face, and hath license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

What does Acts 25:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Acts 25:16-21

16-21. to deliver any man to die--On the word "deliver up," see on Ac 25:11.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 16. It is not the manner, etc. He here states the reasons which he gave to 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 de Preesi. Rom. says the same thing. In Tacitus (Annul. 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 may remark, that it is a subject of sincere gratitude to the God of our nation, that this privilege is enjoyed in the highest perfection in this land. It is the privilege of every man here to be heard; to know the charges against him; to be confronted with the witnesses; to make his defence; and to be tried by the laws, and not by the passions and caprices of men. In this respect our jurisprudence surpasses all that Rome ever enjoyed; and is not inferior to that of the most favoured nation of the earth.

To deliver. To give him up as a favour--χαριζεσθαι--to popular clamour and caprice. Yet our Saviour, in violation of the Roman laws, was thus given up by Pilate, Mt 27:18-25.

Have the accusers face to face. That he may know who they are, and hear their accusations, and refute them. Nothing contributes more to justice than this. Tyrants suffer men to be accused without knowing who the accusers are, and without an opportunity of meeting the charges. It is one great principle of modem jurisprudence, that the accused may know the accusers, and be permitted to confront the witnesses, and adduce all the testimony possible in his own defence.

And have license. Greek, "Place of apology," may have the liberty of defending himself.

(++) "manner" "custom"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 16 It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die - Χαριζεσθαι τινα ανθρωπον, To Make a Present of any man; gratuitously to give up the life of any man, through favor or caprice. Here is a reference to the subject discussed on Act 25:11. Before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, etc. - For this righteous procedure the Roman laws were celebrated over the civilized world. Appian, in his Hist. Roman., says: ου πατριον σφισιν ακριτους καταδικαζεσθαι. It is not their custom to condemn men before they have been heard. And Philo De Praesid. Rom., says: τοτε γαρ κοινους ἑαυτους παρεχοντες δικαϚας εξ ισου, και των κατηγορων και απολογουμενων ακουομενοι, μηδενος ακριτου προκαταγινωσκειν αξιουντες, εβραβευον ουτε προς εχθραν, ουτε προς χαριν, αλλα προς την φυσιν της αληθειας, τα δοξαντα ειναι δικαια. "For then, by giving sentence in common, and hearing impartially both plaintiff and defendant, not thinking it right to condemn any person unheard, they decided as appeared to them to be just; without either enmity or favor, but according to the merits of the case." See Bp. Pearce. England can boast such laws, not only in her statute books, but in constant operation in all her courts of justice. Even the king himself, were he so inclined, could not imprison nor punish a man without the regular procedure of the law; and twelve honest men, before whom the evidence has been adduced, the case argued, and the law laid down and explained, are ultimately to judge whether the man be guilty or not guilty. Here, in this favored country, are no arbitrary imprisonments - no Bastiles - no lettres de cachet. Lex facit Regem: the law makes the king, says Bracton, and the king is the grand executor and guardian of the laws - laws, in the eyes of which the character, property, and life of every subject are sacred.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 25:13-27

Agrippa had the government of Galilee. How many unjust and hasty judgments the Roman maxim, ver. #(16), condemn! This heathen, guided only by the light of nature, followed law and custom exactly, yet how many Christians will not follow the rules of truth, justice, and charity, in judging their brethren! The questions about God's worship, the way of salvation, and the truths of the gospel, may appear doubtful and…

Read the full comment on Acts 25:13-27 →

Acts 25:16 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

πρὸςprostoG4314

οὓςhouswhomG3739

ἀπεκρίθηνapekrithēnI answeredG611

ὅτιhotithatG3754

οὐκouknotG3756

ἔστινestinit isG1510

ἔθοςethos[the] customG1485

ῬωμαίοιςRhōmaioiswith RomansG4514

χαρίζεσθαίcharizesthaito give upG5483

τιναtinaanyG5100

ἄνθρωπονanthrōponmanG444

εἰςeisintoG1519

ἀπώλειανapōleianpunishmentG684

πρὶνprinbeforeG4250

ἢēthanG2228

ὁhothe [one]G3588

κατηγορούμενοςkatēgoroumenosbeing accusedG2723

κατὰkatatoG2596

πρόσωπονprosōponfaceG4383

ἔχοιechoihe would be [able]G2192

τοὺςtoustheG3588

κατηγόρους,katēgorousaccusersG2725

τόπονtopon[the] opportunityG5117

τεteandG5037

ἀπολογίαςapologiasof defenseG627

λάβοιlaboihe would haveG2983

περὶpericoncerningG4012

τοῦtoutheG3588

ἐγκλήματος.egklēmatosaccusation.G1462

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 25:16

John 7:51
Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
Deuteronomy 19:17-18
Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
Acts 23:30
And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
Proverbs 18:17
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Acts 25:4-5
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
Proverbs 18:13
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Deuteronomy 17:4
And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:
Acts 26:1
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

It is not.
4,5
and have.
26:1; De 17:4; 19:17,18; Pr 18:13,17; Joh 7:51

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Acts 25:15
About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
Acts 25:16
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
Acts 25:17
Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

Read all of Acts 25

Acts 25:16 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	A los cuales respondí, no ser costumbre de los Romanos dar alguno á la muerte antes que el que es acusado tenga presentes sus acusadores, y haya lugar de defenderse de la acusación.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	mais je leur ai répondu que ce n’est pas la coutume des Romains de livrer quelqu’un avant que l’accusé ait ses accusateurs devant lui et qu’il ait l’occasion de se défendre de ce dont il est accusé.
German Elberfelder 1871	denen ich antwortete: Es ist bei den Römern nicht Sitte, irgend einen Menschen preiszugeben, ehe der Angeklagte seine Ankläger persönlich vor sich habe und Gelegenheit bekommen, sich wegen der Anklage zu verantworten.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Ad quos respondi: Quia non est Romanis consuetudo damnare aliquem hominem priusquam is qui accusatur præsentes habeat accusatores, locumque defendendi accipiat ad abluenda crimina.