Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

ACTS 26:32KJV
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Acts 26:32 (KJV)

What does Acts 26:32 mean?

Acts 26:32 records King Agrippa telling Festus that Paul could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar. This means that, in Agrippa’s judgment, there was no reason to keep Paul imprisoned except for his own request to have his case heard by the Roman emperor.

In this scene, King Agrippa is speaking to the Roman governor Festus after hearing Paul’s defense. Paul, a prisoner accused by Jewish leaders, had earlier used his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to Caesar (the emperor in Rome). Agrippa’s statement highlights that Paul’s legal situation was complicated only by his appeal, not by any proven crime.

The Greek behind Acts 26:32

  • ἐλευθερίαν (eleutherian, “liberty”): This word means freedom or release. Its use here underscores that Paul was not found guilty of any crime deserving imprisonment.
  • ἐπικεκαλέσθαι (epikekalesthai, “had appealed”): This verb means to call upon or appeal to a higher authority. In Roman law, this was a formal right, and it shows Paul’s decision to seek judgment from Caesar himself.

Why Acts 26:32 matters

  • Acts 26:32 clarifies that Paul’s continued imprisonment was not due to guilt, but because he exercised his legal right as a Roman citizen.
  • The verse emphasizes the fairness of Agrippa’s assessment, showing that the Roman authorities did not find Paul deserving of punishment.
  • This moment sets the stage for Paul’s journey to Rome, a key turning point in the narrative of Acts, and shows how legal processes shaped the spread of the early Christian message.

Where else these words appear

“Agrippa” Greek G67 · used in 12 verses

  • Acts 25:13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
  • Acts 25:24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
  • Acts 26:7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

“Festus” Greek G5347 · used in 13 verses

  • Acts 24:27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
  • Acts 25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
  • Acts 25:23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

“Caesar” Greek G2541 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 22:17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
  • Luke 20:24 Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
  • Acts 25:10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

“had” Greek G1941 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
  • Acts 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
  • Acts 25:25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.