Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

ACTS 25:18KJV
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Acts 25:18 (KJV)

What does Acts 25:18 mean?

Acts 25:18 describes how, when the accusers stood up against Paul, they did not bring any of the serious charges that the Roman governor Festus had expected. Instead, their accusations were not what Festus had supposed they would be.

In this scene, Festus is explaining to King Agrippa what happened when Paul’s Jewish accusers presented their case. Festus had assumed the accusations would be about crimes worthy of Roman concern, but he was surprised to find that the charges were not what he anticipated. This highlights the disconnect between the Jewish leaders’ concerns and what Roman officials considered legitimate legal matters.

The Greek behind Acts 25:18

  • ἐπήνεγκαν (epēnenkan, "brought"): This word means to bring forward or present, especially in a formal or legal setting. Here, it emphasizes that the accusers formally presented their case, but what they brought forward was unexpected.
  • κατηγορίαν (katēgorían, "accusation"): This term refers to a formal charge or accusation in a legal sense. The use of this word shows that Festus was expecting a clear, legal accusation, but did not receive one.
  • ὑπενόουν (hypenooun, "I supposed"): This word carries the sense of what Festus had presumed or expected beforehand. It shows that Festus had certain expectations about the seriousness of the charges, which were not met.

Why Acts 25:18 matters

  • Acts 25:18 clarifies that the Roman authorities did not see Paul’s case as involving any criminal offense, which helps explain why Paul was not quickly condemned.
  • The verse shows the cultural and legal gap between the concerns of the Jewish leaders and what the Roman officials considered actionable offenses.
  • This moment sets up the context for Paul’s continued defense and eventual appeal to Caesar, showing why Festus was uncertain about how to proceed.

Where else these words appear

“supposed” Greek G5282 · used in 3 verses

  • Acts 13:25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
  • Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

“brought” Greek G2018 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 19:12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
  • Romans 3:5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance?(I speak as a man)
  • Philippians 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

“accusers” Greek G2725 · used in 7 verses

  • John 8:10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
  • Acts 23:35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
  • 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.

“accusation” Greek G156 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
  • John 19:4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.
  • Acts 25:27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.