What the Jews opposed was, of course, Paul’s release, and therefore this may be made specific in the first clause: “the Jews did not want me to be released” or “the Jews opposed the Romans releasing me.”

I was forced to appeal to the Emperor may be rendered as “it was necessary for me to appeal to the Emperor,” “it was necessary for me to say, I wish to go the Emperor,” or “… I wish the Emperor to try my case.”

Even though I had no accusation to make against my own people is stated in a very strong fashion in the Greek sentence (literally “not as against my own nation having anything to accuse”). From the point of view of the Roman readers, it would have been important for Luke to emphasize that Paul was in Rome to defend himself and not to bring an accusation against the Jews. The Romans had very strict laws regarding what should be done with persons who had accused others of being guilty and were unable to prove their charges.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .