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.
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.”
- BSB So if this man has done anything wrong, let some of your leaders come down with me and accuse him there.”
- 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 when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
- Acts 25:18–19Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
- Acts 25:16To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
- John 18:29–30Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
- Acts 18:14And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
- 1 Sam 24:11–12Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.
- Acts 24:8Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
- Ps 7:3–5O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
- Acts 23:30And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
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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
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