John Gill Commentary Acts 25:11

John Gill Commentary

Acts 25:11

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Acts 25:11

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is [true] whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Caesar." — Acts 25:11 (ASV)

For if I be an offender
Against the law of Moses, or the temple at Jerusalem, or Caesar the Roman emperor:

or have committed anything worthy of death ;
by the laws of the Romans, as sedition, murder

I refuse not to die ;
signifying that he did not decline going to Jerusalem, either through any consciousness of guilt, or fear of death; for if anything could be proved against him, that was of a capital nature, he did not desire to escape death; he was ready to die for it; this was no subterfuge, or shift, to evade or defer justice:

but if there be none of these things ;
to be found, or proved, and made to appear:

whereof these accuse me ;
pointing to the Jews, that came down to be his accusers, and had laid many and grievous charges against him:

no man may deliver me unto them ;
not justly, or according to the Roman laws; suggesting that Festus himself could not do it legally;

I appeal unto Caesar ;
to this the apostle was induced, partly by the conduct of the governor, who seemed inclined to favour the Jews; and partly by the knowledge he might have of their intention to lie in wait for him, should he go up to Jerusalem; and chiefly by the vision he had had, which assured him that he must bear witness of Christ at Rome, (Acts 23:11) .