Acts 25:19 (KJV)

What does Acts 25:19 mean?

Acts 25:19 describes how the Roman governor Festus explains to King Agrippa that the accusations against Paul were not about crimes, but about disagreements over Jewish religious beliefs and about Jesus, whom Paul insisted was alive even though he had died. Festus is puzzled by these religious disputes, which seem strange to him as a Roman official.

In this scene, Festus is speaking to Agrippa about why Paul is being held as a prisoner. Festus mentions that the Jewish leaders’ main issues with Paul involve their own "superstition" (meaning their religious practices) and the claim that Jesus, who had died, was alive—something Paul strongly affirmed. This verse highlights the cultural and religious gap between the Roman authorities and the Jewish community, as well as the central point of Paul’s message about Jesus’ resurrection.

The Greek behind Acts 25:19

• The word translated "superstition" is δεισιδαιμονία (deisidaimonia), which often means religious belief or practice, but here Festus uses it with a hint of unfamiliarity or skepticism about Jewish religion.
• The verb "affirmed" is διαβεβαιόομαι (diabebaioomai), which means to assert confidently or insist strongly. This shows how firmly Paul declared that Jesus was alive, not just as an opinion but as a central, unwavering claim.
• The phrase "which was dead" uses τεθνήκως (tethnekōs), meaning someone who had died, emphasizing the reality of Jesus’ death as understood by all parties.

Why Acts 25:19 matters

• Acts 25:19 clarifies that Paul’s trial was not about breaking Roman law, but about deep disagreements over religious beliefs, especially the resurrection of Jesus.
• The verse shows how Roman officials viewed Jewish religious debates as puzzling or even trivial, highlighting the cultural divide between Roman and Jewish perspectives.
• This verse sets up the importance of the resurrection in Paul’s message and foreshadows how Paul will later explain his faith to Agrippa and others, focusing on Jesus’ resurrection as the heart of the Christian claim.