Acts 25 5

Acts 25:5 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.

Acts 25:5 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."

Acts 25:5 niv

Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there."

Acts 25:5 esv

"So," said he, "let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him."

Acts 25:5 nlt

So he said, "Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations."

Acts 25 verses

Acts 25 5 Meaning

Festus, the new Roman governor, proposes to the Jewish leaders that their influential members, those with the authority and capability, should accompany him to Caesarea. There, they can formally present any specific accusations or legal charges they might have against Paul in a legitimate Roman court. This was an invitation for the Jewish leadership to engage in proper judicial process rather than seeking a transfer or extra-judicial action.

Acts 25 5 Context

Acts chapter 25 opens with the arrival of Festus, the new Roman procurator, in Judea, succeeding Felix. After three days in his capital, Caesarea, Festus travels to Jerusalem, where he is immediately confronted by the Jewish chief priests and leading men. They reiterate their vehement animosity toward Paul, who has been imprisoned for two years. Knowing Paul is held in Caesarea, they request Festus to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, with their true intention being to ambush and murder Paul along the road (Acts 25:3). Festus, however, insists on upholding Roman judicial procedure, stating that it is not customary to grant someone's life before a fair trial. He replies that Paul is kept at Caesarea and that he himself plans to return there shortly. Verse 5 is Festus's counter-proposal, challenging the Jewish leaders to formally present their charges against Paul in the appropriate legal setting, inviting those among them capable of presenting the case to accompany him. This establishes Festus's early attempt to navigate the complex political and religious landscape, seeking to maintain Roman justice while also aiming to gain favor with the influential Jewish leadership.

Acts 25 5 Word analysis

• Therefore (οὖν - oun): A conjunction that marks a transition or logical consequence. In this context, it signals Festus's response to the Jewish leaders' request, framing his counter-proposal as a reasonable follow-up to their complaints. It suggests, "since you accuse him so vehemently and wish for his trial, here is the proper way."
• let some of you (οἱ δυνατοὶ ἐν ὑμῖν - hoi dynatoos en hymin): Literally "the powerful ones among you" or "those able among you." This is more specific than simply "some of you." Festus isn't inviting just any Jew; he's challenging the influential, capable, or authoritative individuals. This could refer to legal experts, prominent council members, or those who truly had substantial claims and were qualified to present them in court. It avoids dealing with mere rabble and targets the source of official complaints.
• come down with me (συγκαταβάτωσαν - sykatabatōsan): "Let them go down with [me]." The prefix syn- (συν-) means "together with." This emphasizes their co-traveling and implies their direct involvement. Geographically, Jerusalem is at a higher elevation, so "going down" to Caesarea (on the coast) is literal. It signifies an invitation to participate actively and be present throughout the legal proceedings.
• and if there is anything wrong (καὶ εἴ τι ἔστιν ... ἀτοπία - kai ei ti estin... atopia):
  • ἀτοπία (atopia): From a- (negation) and topos (place), meaning "out of place," "improper," "absurdity," or "wrongdoing." It doesn't mean trivial misconduct but rather a significant impropriety, a misdeed, or a crime worthy of a formal charge. Festus demands concrete evidence of Paul's actions being legally amiss by Roman standards, not just Jewish custom or religious offence.
  • εἴ τι ἔστιν (ei ti estin): "If there is anything." This conveys an element of condition and doubt, implying Festus has heard Paul's case from Felix and finds the charges lacking substantial basis from a Roman legal perspective thus far. He's asking for the "meat" of the accusation.
• about the man (ἐν τῷ ἀνδρὶ - en tō andri): "In the man" or "concerning the man." A straightforward reference to Paul, specifying that the charges must be personal and relate to his conduct or alleged crimes, rather than broad, undefined accusations.
• let them prosecute him (κατηγορείτωσαν αὐτοῦ - katēgoreitōsan autou): "Let them formally accuse him." This is a strong legal term, describing the act of presenting an indictment in court. Festus is explicitly requiring the Jewish leaders to act as formal accusers (κατήγοροι - katēgoroi) in a Roman judicial setting. This mandates public declaration of charges, presentation of evidence, and Paul's right to reply, ensuring due process under Roman law.

Words-group analysis:

• "Let therefore those among you who are able go down with me": This phrase highlights Festus's commitment to judicial process. He invites the "able" and "influential" not just to voice grievances, but to present a credible, legally sound case. This distinguishes Roman court proceedings from arbitrary judgments or backroom deals. It’s an assertion of judicial formality.
• "and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them prosecute him": This establishes the legal standard Festus expects. He requires a demonstrable atopia – something actually "wrong" or illegal – not just religious or personal grievances. Furthermore, it explicitly calls for prosecution, meaning formal charges backed by evidence, rather than vague slanders or political pressure. It underscores the Roman principle that accusations must be presented publicly and proved in court.

Acts 25 5 Bonus section

• Roman Judicial Principle: Festus's offer exemplifies the Roman legal principle known as cognitio extra ordinem, an extraordinary inquiry that allowed a magistrate to determine cases, especially when regular legal forms (like private civil suits) didn't perfectly fit. While he had a large degree of discretion, a governor was expected to uphold justice, prevent murder, and ensure that serious charges were presented and defended openly.
• Political Calculation: While upholding justice, Festus also had a clear political motive. Newly appointed, he wanted to curry favor with the powerful Jewish elite (as indicated later in Acts 25:9). Offering them a proper platform for accusation, rather than dismissing them outright, was a way to show respect for their grievances, even if those grievances proved to be unfounded in a Roman legal sense.
• Imperial Appeal Foreseen: Although Paul had not yet explicitly appealed to Caesar at this point in the narrative, the stage is set for it. Festus's inability to find clear Roman legal grounds for Paul's crimes, combined with his desire to please the Jews, creates a deadlock that Paul will resolve with his appeal.
• Historical Echoes of Justice: The emphasis on formal accusation and evidence is not only Roman but has echoes in the Old Testament's legal traditions, which stressed the need for witnesses and the clear presentation of a case (e.g., Deut 19:15-18). The difference often lay in the application and the nature of the "law" itself – Roman versus Jewish halakha.

Acts 25 5 Commentary

Acts 25:5 captures Festus's initial approach to his new gubernatorial role, balancing Roman legal principles with the political necessity of appeasing Jewish leadership. While he seeks to avoid the Jewish leaders' plot to assassinate Paul by rejecting the transfer to Jerusalem, he also demonstrates a willingness to offer a fair hearing according to Roman law. His challenge for the "able" among them to "come down" to Caesarea and "prosecute" Paul directly underscores his commitment to judicial due process, a hallmark of Roman jurisprudence. He demands specific, legally valid charges (atopia) presented formally (katēgoreitōsan), implicitly contrasting this with the baseless accusations or desire for extra-judicial vengeance the Jewish leaders typically employed. This verse is pivotal as it sets the stage for Paul's subsequent appeal to Caesar, as the Jewish leaders fail to provide substantive evidence, and Festus himself remains uncertain of the precise legal basis for Paul's continued detention. It reinforces the theme of Paul facing ongoing, unproven hostility from Jewish authorities within the framework of Roman law.