So if this man has done anything wrong, let some of your leaders come down with me and accuse him there.”
Parallel translations
- WEB “Let them therefore”, said he, “that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”
- KJV Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
- NKJV “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.”
- NASB “Therefore,” he *said, “have the influential men among you go there with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, have them bring charges against him.”
- NLT So he said, “Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.”
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
Festus invites the Jewish leaders to send qualified men to Caesarea to accuse Paul if he has done wrong. He insists on a proper hearing in his own jurisdiction.
Overview
Festus offers a fair process: let the accusers come to Caesarea and present any genuine charge. His insistence on due procedure keeps Paul out of his enemies' reach. The arrangement reflects the protective order of Roman law, which God repeatedly employs to guard Paul and provide a lawful platform for the gospel.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Acts 25:25But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.
- Acts 25:18–19But when his accusers rose to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected.
- 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.
- John 18:29–30So Pilate went out to them and asked, “What accusation are you bringing against this man?”
- Acts 18:14But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint.
- 1 Sam 24:11–12See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. See and know that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life.
- Acts 24:8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
- Ps 7:3–5O LORD my God, if I have done this, if injustice is on my hands,
- 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.
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Christ at the center
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.
How Acts 25:5 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.