ACTS 28:19 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.”
'But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar-not that I had any charge to bring against my own people.' - Paul explains his appeal to Caesar: the Jewish objection ('Jews objected,' antilegō, antilegō-'speak against, object') 'compelled' him to appeal. Yet his qualification-'not that I had any charge to bring against my own people' (ouch hōs kategoros, ouch hōs kategoros-'not as one accusing')-shows his continued identification with the Jewish people. His appeal was defensive (to save his life), not prosecutorial (to condemn his accusers). The subtlety matters: Paul remains bound to his people even as Rome provides the forum for his final testimony.
Church Fathers on Acts 28:19
He wished to exculpate both himself and others; himself, that they might not accuse him, and by so doing hurt themselves; and those (others), that it might not seem that the whole thing was of their doing. For it was likely that a report was prevalent, that he had been delivered up by the Jews; and this was enough to alarm them. He therefore addresses himself to this, and defends himself as to his own conduct. How then is it reasonable, it might be said, that they should…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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