Acts 24:8
What does Acts 24:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 24:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 24:8 means
Tertullus urges Felix to verify the charges personally, implying that a direct inquiry will confirm their case. This sounds confident, yet it subtly shifts the burden onto the governor instead of presenting solid witnesses and proof. The tactic seeks the weight of official judgment to compensate for thin evidence. Ironically, the examination to come will favor Paul, who can account for his actions. Truth is not afraid of the light. The accusers rely on assertion and authority; Paul will rely on dates, places, and the consistency of his faith with the Scriptures.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And from whom you will be able, by questioning him yourself, to get knowledge of all the things which we say against him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having commanded his accusers to come to thee, from whom thou mayest be able, thyself having examined, to know concerning all these things of which we accuse him;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Commanding his accusers to come to thee. Of whom thou mayest thyself, by examination, have knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890having commanded his accusers to come to thee;] of whom thou canst thyself, in examining [him], know the certainty of all these things of which we accuse him.
Context
Following the charges of sedition and temple profanation, the prosecution invites the governor to validate its claims. Verse 8 acts as a hinge: rather than produce decisive proof, they appeal to Felix’s examination. Verse 9 will add the collective confirmation from the Jews. With this, the prosecution rests its case, and the narrative turns in verse 10 to Paul’s measured defense, which challenges both the facts and the lack of proper witnesses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 25:15
about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him.
- Acts 23:35
I will hear thee fully, said he, when thine accusers also are come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s palace.
- Acts 25:5
Let them therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.
- Acts 23:30
And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee.
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