who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
Parallel translations
- WEB They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.
- KJV Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
- NKJV They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.
- NASB who ought to have been present before you and to have been bringing charges, if they should have anything against me.
- NLT But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul points out that the Asian Jews who first accused him ought to be present to make their case. Their absence undermines the prosecution.
Overview
Roman law required accusers to appear in person, and the original instigators have not come, a serious flaw in the case. Paul presses this legal gap to show the charges cannot be sustained. His careful appeal to due process reflects both his innocence and the way God uses the structures of justice to protect his witness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Acts 23:30When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also instructed his accusers to present their case against him before you.
- Acts 25:16I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.
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Acts is the risen Christ continuing his work by the Spirit through the church, as the apostles preach that there is salvation in no other name under heaven.
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Original language
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