“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.”
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.
- BSB So if this man has done anything wrong, let some of your leaders come down with me and accuse him there.”
- 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 as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him,
- Acts 25:18–19Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed;
- Acts 25:16To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
- John 18:29–30Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
- Acts 18:14But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you;
- 1 Sam 24:11–12Moreover, my father, behold, yes, see the skirt of your robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of your robe, and didn’t kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor disobedience in my hand, and I have not sinned against you, though you hunt for my life to take it.
- Acts 24:8By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
- Ps 7:3–5Yahweh, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands,
- Acts 23:30When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. 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.
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Original language
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