Acts 24 6

Acts 24:6 kjv

Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

Acts 24:6 nkjv

He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.

Acts 24:6 niv

and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

Acts 24:6 esv

He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.

Acts 24:6 nlt

Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.

Acts 24 verses

Acts 24 6 Meaning

This verse recounts the accusations leveled against Paul by the Jews. Tertullus, speaking for them, declared Paul a troublemaker, a leader of the Nazarene sect, and someone who attempted to desecrate the temple.

Acts 24 6 Context

This verse is part of Paul’s defense before Governor Felix. The Jewish leaders, through their orator Tertullus, have brought charges against Paul. The context is a formal trial in Caesarea. Festus, the Roman governor, has heard the charges and is now listening to Paul's defense. This accusation in verse 6 is a specific charge of attempting to profane the temple in Jerusalem, which occurred earlier during Paul’s visit as detailed in Acts 21. The Jews at that time had already accused Paul of bringing a Gentile into the temple, which was punishable by death. This is part of a broader pattern of persecution Paul faced from Jewish authorities and factions due to his preaching of the Gospel.

Acts 24 6 Word Analysis

• οὗτός (houtos): "this man." Refers to Paul, placing him as the subject of the accusation.
• ἐστὶν (estin): "is." Simple present tense, indicating a continuous state or identity.
• καὶ (kai): "and." Conjunction connecting the previous charges with this specific one.
• πρωτοστάτης (protostatēs): "ringleader," "ringleader," "instigator," "prime mover." From proto ("first") and statēs ("one who stands"). Implies leadership in causing disturbances or setting movements in motion. Used elsewhere for military commanders or heads of a council. In this context, it implies a provocative and leading role in initiating troublemaking.
• αἵρεσις (hairesis): "sect," "faction," "heresy." Refers to a division or group within a larger entity, often with distinct beliefs or practices. Here it denotes the Christian movement, viewed by the Jews as a disruptive sect that deviated from traditional Judaism. This word can carry a negative connotation, suggesting dissent and division.
• Ναζωραίων (Nazōraión): "of the Nazarenes." Pertains to Jesus of Nazareth. This term was an early identifier for followers of Jesus, and here it is used by Tertullus to characterize Paul and his movement.
• τε (te): "and" (enclitic particle). Another conjunction linking clauses.
• βουλόμενος (boulomenos): "intending," "wishing," "purposing." A present participle indicating a deliberate action or intention.
• καὶ (kai): "and."
• τὸ ἱερὸν (to hieron): "the temple." Specifically refers to the Jerusalem Temple, a holy and sacred place for Jews.
• κοινῶσαι (koinōsai): "to defile," "to make common," "to desecrate," "to contaminate." The aorist infinitive from koinóō. In the context of the temple, this meant introducing something or someone that made it ritually impure or unlawful to be there, an extremely grave offense. It implies a deliberate violation of its sacred character.

Words Group Analysis:

• "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes": This phrase maliciously paints Paul as a prime instigator of a movement seen as a dangerous schism from Judaism, targeting the very identity and core of Jewish belief. The term "sect" itself was derogatory, and "Nazarene" was a way to associate followers of Jesus with Nazareth, a place not highly regarded.
• "attempted to profane the temple": This accusation focuses on a specific event and carries significant weight. The Temple was the religious and cultural heart of Judaism. Any perceived desecration was seen as an attack on God himself and the nation's covenant. This charge was an attempt to use the most severe religious and legal grounds for condemnation in the Roman judicial system of the time.

Acts 24 6 Bonus Section

The charge of profaning the temple was a serious one. In Roman times, entering certain inner courts of the temple was forbidden to Gentiles under penalty of death, with a sign to that effect displayed in the court of the Gentiles. Paul was accused of bringing Trophimus, an Ephesian Gentile, into the inner courts (Acts 21:28-29), though Paul denies this explicitly in his defense before Felix (Acts 24:17-18), stating he came to Jerusalem to bring alms for his nation and offering for the temple, after which he was seized. This verse thus presents the prosecution’s highly inflammatory, and from Paul’s perspective, inaccurate, depiction of his actions and intentions regarding the temple. The accusation served to legitimize the violence against Paul and justify his arrest.

Acts 24 6 Commentary

Tertullus’ speech uses carefully crafted rhetoric to portray Paul as a dangerous element. The terms "ringleader" and "sect" were chosen to alarm the governor by suggesting sedition and division. The accusation of profaning the temple is particularly severe, aiming to connect Paul with a capital offense under Jewish law, even within a Roman jurisdiction. This was a powerful, albeit false, accusation designed to secure a conviction by appealing to religious outrage and perceived threats to public order. Paul would later defend himself by stating his adherence to Jewish law and the prophets, a direct refutation of being a defiler.