SEV Biblia, Chapter 28:19
Mas contradiciendo los judíos, fui forzado a apelar a Csar; no que tenga de qu acusar a mi nacin.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 19. But when the Jews spake against it , etc.] His being cleared and dismissed, and desired he might be sent back to Jerusalem, to be tried and judged there, to which Festus seemed inclined: I was constrained to appeal to Caesar ; to prevent the design of the Jews upon him, which was to way lay him and kill him, or by what ways they could, right or wrong, take away his life; and to provide for his own safety: not that I had ought to accuse my nation of ; meaning, that he had no ill design in this appeal against his country, to expose them, and bring them under reproach and censure, but to vindicate himself, defend his own innocence, and preserve his character and life; suggesting, that what he did was not of choice, but by constraint, and with reluctance; being no friend to Heathen tribunals, nor any enemy to the Jewish nation.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 17-22 - It was for the honour of Paul that those who examined his case acquitted him. In his appeal he sought not to accuse his nation, but only to clear himself. True Christianity settles what is of commo concern to all mankind, and is not built upon narrow opinions an private interests. It aims at no worldly benefit or advantage, but all its gains are spiritual and eternal. It is, and always has been, the lot of Christ's holy religion, to be every where spoken against. Loo through every town and village where Christ is exalted as the onl Saviour of mankind, and where the people are called to follow him in newness of life, and we see those who give themselves up to Christ still called a sect, a party, and reproached. And this is the treatmen they are sure to receive, so long as there shall continue an ungodl man upon earth.
Greek Textus Receptus
αντιλεγοντων 483 5723 V-PAP-GPM δε 1161 CONJ των 3588 T-GPM ιουδαιων 2453 A-GPM ηναγκασθην 315 5681 V-API-1S επικαλεσασθαι 1941 5670 V-AMN καισαρα 2541 N-ASM ουχ 3756 PRT-N ως 5613 ADV του 3588 T-GSN εθνους 1484 N-GSN μου 3450 P-1GS εχων 2192 5723 V-PAP-NSM τι 5100 X-ASN κατηγορησαι 2723 5658 V-AAN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
28:19 {When the Jews spake against it} (antilegontwn twn ioudaiwn). Genitive absolute again, antilegontwn (antilegw) common verb for speaking against as in #13:45. _Clementer dicit_ (Bengel). "The word is a mild one to describe the bitter enmity of the Jews" (Knowling). {I was constrained} (enagkasqen). "I was compelled," first aorist passive indicative of anagkazw, the very word used of Paul's efforts to get the Christians to blaspheme (#26:11) which see. Paul was compelled to appeal to Caesar (see #25:11,12 for this phrase), unless Paul was willing to be the victim of Jewish hate when he had done no wrong. {Not that I had aught to accuse my nation of} (ouc hws tou eqnous mou ecwn ti kategorein). this use of hws with a participle (ecwn) is common in Greek for the alleged reason. The genitive case with the infinitive kategorein is regular. Paul says eqnos instead of laos as in #24:17; 26:4.
