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

ACTS 26:31KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 26:31 (KJV)

What does Acts 26:31 mean?

Acts 26:31 records the private judgment of the officials who heard Paul speak. They agree that Paul has done nothing that deserves execution or imprisonment. Their discussion shows how they assessed his case after hearing him.

The speakers include the Roman governor Festus and King Agrippa, along with those seated with them. They have withdrawn from the hearing and are speaking among themselves, rather than addressing Paul or a crowd.

The Greek behind Acts 26:31

  • “worthy” — ἄξιος (axios): This word carries the sense of deserving or being fitting for something. Here the officials weigh Paul’s conduct against the severe penalties named.
  • “bonds” — δεσμός (desmos): This word can mean a bond or chain used to restrain someone. The KJV’s “bonds” refers to confinement, not an agreement between people.

Why Acts 26:31 matters

  • The discussion follows a disagreement about Paul’s speech. Festus had called Paul mad, while Paul insisted that he was speaking “words of truth and soberness” (Acts 26:24–25). The officials’ later assessment concerns whether Paul deserved punishment.
  • The private judgment leads to a practical complication. In the next verse, Agrippa says Paul could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar (Acts 26:32). Earlier, Paul had made that appeal while his case was before Festus (Acts 25:11–12).

Where else these words appear

“aside” Greek G402 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
  • Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.

“bonds” Greek G1199 · used in 20 verses

  • Mark 7:35 And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain.
  • Acts 23:29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
  • Colossians 4:18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Written from Rome to Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.

“doeth” Greek G4238 · used in 36 verses

  • Luke 3:13 And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
  • Acts 17:7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
  • Romans 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

“worthy” Greek G514 · used in 39 verses

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;