Did Paul have a legitimate reason to be under arrest in Rome?
Scripture records that Paul had no legitimate reason to be under arrest in Rome. He had committed nothing against Israel or the customs of the fathers, and Roman authorities examining him found no cause of death. His custody resulted from Jewish opposition, which constrained him to appeal to Caesar for Roman protection.
Les explains that Paul entered Rome under arrest, probably chained to Roman soldiers, and was placed under house arrest, living in his own rented house while guarded. When Paul called the chief Jews after three days, he told them he had committed nothing against Israel 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, Paul was constrained to appeal to Caesar for the protection of the Roman government. So Les says Paul had nothing to be ashamed of and no reason to be under arrest; the Jews were the ones who demanded it. His chain was for the hope of Israel.
But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.
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