Why did Paul appeal to Caesar even though the Romans had found no reason to condemn him?
Paul appealed to Caesar because, though the Romans examined him and would have let him go since they found no cause of death, the Jews spoke against his release, forcing him to seek the Roman government's protection. He had no reason to be ashamed or under arrest, but was bound for Israel's hope.
Les explains that Paul was already under arrest, traveling to Rome with Roman soldiers, and eventually placed under house arrest, permitted to live in his own rented house with a guard. After three days he called the chief of the Jews, showing his heart for Israel. Paul told them he had committed nothing against the people or the customs of the fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into Roman hands. The Romans examined him and would have let him go because there was no cause of death in him. But when the Jews spoke against it, he was constrained or forced to appeal unto Caesar—that is, to the protection of the Roman government. He had nothing to accuse his nation of and no reason to be under arrest, but the Jews demanded it. He called them to see and speak with him because for the hope of Israel he was bound with a chain.
Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.
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