Acts 24 8

Acts 24:8 kjv

Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

Acts 24:8 nkjv

commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."

Acts 24:8 niv

By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him."

Acts 24:8 esv

By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him."

Acts 24:8 nlt

You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself."

Acts 24 verses

Acts 24 8 Meaning

Acts 24:8 conveys the pivotal point of Tertullus’s opening argument before Governor Felix, demanding that Felix personally interrogate Paul. The accusation is presented as undeniable, asserting that Felix, through his own examination of Paul, would easily discover the truth of the Jewish leaders' claims. It seeks to shift the burden of proof and implies Paul’s guilt is so self-evident that his own testimony would confirm it, thus expediting judgment against him.

Acts 24 8 Context

Acts chapter 24 details Paul's trial before Felix, the Roman Governor of Judea, in Caesarea. Paul had been arrested in Jerusalem after a riot, then brought to Caesarea under military escort due to a Jewish plot against his life. The High Priest Ananias and a delegation of elders, accompanied by the orator Tertullus, came to Caesarea to present their formal charges against Paul.

Acts 24:8 falls immediately after Tertullus's initial, flattering remarks to Felix and his concise presentation of the three main charges against Paul: stirring up sedition among Jews worldwide, being a ringleader of the Nazarene sect, and attempting to profane the Temple (Acts 24:2-6). Having stated these accusations, Tertullus concludes his direct address by urging Felix to conduct his own interrogation of Paul to verify these claims. This sets the stage for Paul’s defense (Acts 24:10-21) and Felix’s subsequent procrastination (Acts 24:22).

Acts 24 8 Word analysis

• ordering (κελεύων - keleuōn): Greek for 'commanding,' 'enjoining.' This participle, linked to Tertullus's prior speech (implied 'we have removed him'), transitions into a directive to Felix. It conveys a strong, almost presumptuous request from the accusers, expecting Felix to comply with their demand.
• him (αὐτὸν - auton): Refers directly to Paul, the accused.
• to come to you (ἔρχεσθαι πρός σε - erchesthai pros se): This phrase specifies the location and nature of the suggested examination – it's an immediate, direct interaction with Felix himself.
• you will be able (δυνήσῃ - dynēsē): Greek for 'you will be strong enough,' 'you will have the power/ability.' It's a predictive verb, suggesting certainty that Felix can uncover the 'truth' if he acts as suggested. This is part of Tertullus’s rhetorical persuasion, implying the case is straightforward for an experienced judge.
• by examining him yourself (αὐτοῦ ἀνακρίνας - autou anakrinas):
  • ἀνακρίνας (anakrinas) - From anakrino, meaning 'to investigate,' 'to examine,' 'to question thoroughly,' 'to scrutinize.' This is a forensic term used in courts for official inquiry. It implies more than a superficial questioning; it’s a deep, probing interrogation.
  • αὐτοῦ (autou) - The genitive 'himself/itself' placed strategically, emphasizing that Felix's own direct investigation of Paul will yield results, rather than relying solely on the prosecution's witnesses. It’s a subtle shift of the investigative burden onto Felix, making him an active participant in proving their case.
• to ascertain (ἀλήθειαν ἔχεσθαι - alētheian echesthai): Literally 'to get hold of the truth' or 'to cling to the truth.' It signifies not just finding information but firmly grasping and being convinced of its veracity. This suggests a foregone conclusion – that the 'truth' is what the accusers claim it is.
• from him (ἀπὸ τούτου - apo toutou): 'From this one' or 'from him [Paul].' This reiterates the source of the expected 'truth' – Paul’s own testimony. Tertullus implies Paul’s guilt is so apparent that even his own answers will reveal it, or perhaps that he will break under interrogation.
• concerning all these things (περὶ πάντων τούτων - peri pantōn toutōn): 'Concerning all these very things.' This refers to the specific charges laid out in verses 5 and 6: sedition, sectarian leadership, and temple desecration.
• of which we accuse him (ὧν ἡμεῖς κατηγοροῦμεν αὐτοῦ - hōn hēmeis katēgoroumen autou):
  • κατηγοροῦμεν (katēgoroumen) - 'we accuse,' 'we bring charges against.' This verb emphasizes their role as the formal accusers, presenting a united front. This final clause reminds Felix of their active, unanimous prosecution of Paul.

Words-group analysis:

• "calling him to you, you will be able": This phrasing subtly manipulates Felix, making him the direct agent of validation. Tertullus shifts the responsibility from proving their own claims to urging Felix to extract confession from Paul.
• "by examining him yourself to ascertain from him all these things whereof we accuse him": This complete phrase is the crux of Tertullus’s legal strategy. It presupposes Paul’s guilt, framing the interrogation not as a search for evidence, but as a confirmation of already-established 'facts' that Paul himself will supposedly betray. It’s an appeal to Roman judicial authority but twisted to avoid the Jewish accusers providing robust independent proof.

Acts 24 8 Bonus section

The Roman legal system, while generally valuing due process and examination, also granted significant discretionary power to a governor like Felix. Tertullus, skilled in Roman rhetoric, likely understood this and appealed directly to Felix's authority and expected thoroughness (anakrinas). This demand also reflects the reality that the Jewish accusers, while intensely passionate, might have lacked direct, legally admissible evidence to back all their charges, especially the charge of sedition against Rome. By having Felix 'ascertain' from Paul, they might have hoped Paul would admit to teachings about Jesus that, when twisted, could be construed as disloyal to Caesar. This was a classic tactic of the Jewish leaders in dealing with spiritual figures they opposed, as seen with Jesus before Pilate, where spiritual claims were reinterpreted as political rebellion to pressure the Roman authority.

Acts 24 8 Commentary

Acts 24:8 encapsulates the essence of Tertullus's shrewd, yet deceitful, legal tactic. After a flattering prelude designed to win Felix's favor, he summarizes the serious charges against Paul. The critical element here is the demand for Felix to personally cross-examine Paul. This is a subtle yet powerful manipulation. Firstly, it elevates the Jewish accusers' charges by implying they are so clear that even a neutral party like Felix can easily verify them. Secondly, it suggests Paul's guilt is self-evident, eliminating the need for extensive corroborating evidence from the prosecution. Instead of Tertullus presenting his proof, he suggests Felix draw the "truth" directly from the accused. This move also pre-empts any lengthy defense Paul might offer, hoping Paul would incriminate himself under pressure. It highlights the bias of the accusers, who seek conviction through the magistrate's direct coercion rather than through substantiated legal proof, revealing their reliance on political pressure and judicial authority to achieve their aims rather than clear evidence. The entire verse showcases the clash between earthly legal maneuvering and God's sovereign protection over His servant.