Acts 23:35
What does Acts 23:35 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 23:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 23:35 means
Felix declares he will hear the case fully when the accusers arrive, and orders Paul to be kept in Herod’s palace. This guarantees due process—no verdict without confrontation and evidence. Housing Paul in the praetorium provides security and a degree of dignity, fitting his status as an uncondemned Roman citizen. The scene closes with Paul safe, heard, and poised for formal defense. God has turned a murderous plot into a guarded platform for witness before governors and, eventually, before Rome itself, just as the Lord promised. Delay is not defeat; it is preparation for the next appointed testimony.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I will hear thee fully, said he, when thine accusers also are come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s palace.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I will hear thee fully, said he, when thine accusers also are come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s palace.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I will give hearing to your cause, he said, when those who are against you have come. And he gave orders for him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`I will hear thee--said he--when thine accusers also may have come;' he also commanded him to be kept in the praetorium of Herod.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I will hear thee, said he, when thy accusers come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890he said, I will hear thee fully when thine accusers also are arrived. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's praetorium.
Context
With jurisdiction affirmed, Felix schedules a full hearing contingent on the accusers’ presence. He remands Paul to a secure, official residence, neither releasing him nor exposing him to danger. The chapter ends with Paul under protective custody in Cæsarea, transitioning from Jerusalem’s religious council to a Roman governor’s court. This outcome aligns with the Lord’s nighttime assurance and sets the narrative trajectory toward extended trials, defenses, and, in time, the journey that will bring Paul to Rome to bear witness there as foretold.
v.34And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,
v.35This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 2:3
And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
- Matthew 2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
- Acts 24:1
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, andwithan orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.
- Acts 24:22
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.
- Acts 25:16
To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defence concerning the matter laid against him.
- Acts 24:19
who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
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