Acts 24 13

Acts 24:13 kjv

Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

Acts 24:13 nkjv

Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

Acts 24:13 niv

And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.

Acts 24:13 esv

Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.

Acts 24:13 nlt

These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.

Acts 24 verses

Acts 24 13 Meaning

Acts 24:13 states Paul's direct challenge to his accusers before Governor Felix: they are unable to present any concrete evidence or valid proof to substantiate the accusations they have just made against him. Paul asserts their charges are without foundation in fact, demanding legal validation in a Roman court where evidence is crucial.

Acts 24 13 Context

Acts chapter 24 details Paul's trial before Governor Felix in Caesarea, following his arrest in Jerusalem and transfer from Lysias, the tribune. Paul’s accusers, represented by the orator Tertullus, brought three main charges against him: being a pestilent fellow (a plague), a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, who also attempted to profane the temple (Acts 24:5-6). Acts 24:13 is a key part of Paul's defense, where he systematically refutes these allegations. In this particular verse, Paul challenges the prosecution to produce any actual proof for their severe accusations. Felix, after hearing both sides, decides to adjourn the case, awaiting Lysias, recognizing the absence of concrete evidence from the Jews (Acts 24:22).

Acts 24 13 Word analysis

• Nor (οὐδὲ - oude): This Greek particle functions as a strong negation, meaning "neither," "nor," or "not even." Its use emphasizes the absolute absence of ability to provide proof. Paul is not just denying; he's declaring their utter incapacity to validate their claims.
• can they prove (δύνανται παραστῆσαι - dynantai parastēsai):
  • δύνανται (dynantai): From the verb δύναμαι (dynamai), "to be able," "to have power or capacity." The present tense indicates their ongoing inability or lack of power to produce evidence.
  • παραστῆσαι (parastēsai): An aorist infinitive of παρίστημι (paristēmi), which in a legal context means "to present," "to bring forward," "to furnish," or "to demonstrate with evidence." It signifies a formal act of presenting something for examination or proof in a court of law. This legal term underscores Paul's appeal to due process and verifiable facts.
• to you (σοι - soi): This dative pronoun "to you" directly addresses Governor Felix. Paul is making his defense clear and pointedly for the Roman official who is serving as the judge. It emphasizes that their failure to prove is before the very person who must decide the case.
• the things of which (περὶ ὧν - peri hōn): Literally "concerning which things." This refers back to the specific charges laid out by Tertullus earlier in Acts 24:5-6: sedition, leading a sect, and profaning the temple.
• they now accuse me (νῦν κατηγοροῦσίν μου - nyn katēgorousin mou):
  • νῦν (nyn): "Now" or "at this present moment." This temporal adverb highlights that the accusations are fresh, actively being made, and therefore require immediate substantiation. It distinguishes the current proceedings from any past grievances.
  • κατηγοροῦσίν (katēgorousin): From the verb κατηγορέω (katēgoreō), "to accuse," "to charge publicly." This is a specific legal term for formally bringing a charge against someone. The present active indicative again stresses that these accusations are actively being pressed right at this moment.
  • μου (mou): "Me," referring to Paul.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Nor can they prove to you": This phrase encapsulates Paul's direct challenge to the legal validity of the prosecution's case. He is asserting that their accusations fundamentally lack the evidential basis required in Roman law to secure a conviction. He places the burden of proof squarely on the accusers, confident that they will fail to meet it.
• "the things of which they now accuse me": This specifies the content and immediate nature of the allegations. By using "the things of which," Paul brings to mind the specific points Tertullus made, indicating that he is not making a general denial but a point-by-point refutation where evidence is completely absent. "Now accuse me" highlights the live, current proceeding and the absence of presentable facts for the specific charges being heard.

Acts 24 13 Bonus section

Paul's defense in Acts 24 reflects his familiarity with Roman legal proceedings, emphasizing verifiable facts and a clear lack of evidence rather than emotional pleas. This pragmatic approach is evident throughout his various trials in Acts. The contrast between Paul's measured, evidence-based defense and the accusers' rhetorical flair (via Tertullus) highlights the spiritual warfare aspect: truth vs. slander. For early Christians, who were often falsely accused and slandered (e.g., of cannibalism, atheism), Paul's stand provides an example of integrity and courage in upholding the truth of the gospel through demonstrable innocence regarding civil laws. This also subtly points to the broader principle that divine truth requires no embellishment or fabricated evidence; its power lies in its verifiable reality and the consistent character of those who embody it.

Acts 24 13 Commentary

Acts 24:13 serves as the crux of Paul's legal defense against his Jewish accusers before Felix. Paul's simple yet profound statement here underscores his confidence in his innocence and the factual bankruptcy of the charges brought against him. Rather than merely denying the accusations, Paul shrewdly shifts the burden of proof back to the prosecution. In a Roman court, an accusation required substantiated evidence; mere assertion or prejudice was insufficient. Paul understands this and leverages it, pointing out that his accusers possess no concrete facts—no witnesses to specific acts of sedition, no proof of temple defilement, no evidence of causing riots. This direct challenge reveals Paul's commitment to truth and justice, even in the face of grave injustice. His defense is built on the reality that what they allege simply did not occur, or if it did, they have no capacity to prove it with reliable testimony or action. It exemplifies how believers, though potentially facing false accusations, can rely on truth and the factual integrity of their conduct.