Devine Scripture

Acts 24:20

What does Acts 24:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 24:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 24:20 means

Paul challenges those presently accusing him to state what wrongdoing they found when he stood before the council. He knows they cannot point to any legal offense. This presses the court to distinguish between disagreement and crime. The religious leaders may oppose Paul’s message, but opposition is not evidence. By inviting scrutiny of the previous hearing, Paul shows consistency: whether before the council or before Felix, nothing criminal can be substantiated against him. This appeal cuts through noise and returns to facts, leaving only the theological dispute that he will name next.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Or let these men here present say what wrongdoing was seen in me when I was before the Sanhedrin,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

or let these same say if they found any unrighteousness in me in my standing before the sanhedrim,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Or let these men themselves say if they found in me any iniquity, when standing before the council,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the council,

Context

Verse 20 follows the legal line opened in verse 19. If the original accusers are absent, can these present men at least name a violation discovered before the council? The silence implied readies the climactic admission in verse 21: the real issue is Paul’s proclamation of the resurrection. This progression prepares Felix to see the case as an intra-Jewish theological matter rather than a threat to Roman peace.

v.19who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.

v.20This passage

v.21except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Acts 24

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Acts 24.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Acts 24:20.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary