Acts 25:5
What does Acts 25:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 25:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 25:5 means
Festus invites those with authority among the Jews to accompany him to Cæsarea and bring formal charges if anything is truly wrong in Paul. He insists on a legitimate accusation, not hearsay or political pressure. This keeps the matter on legal ground and requires evidence, witnesses, and a structured process. While Festus likely aims to maintain good relations with Jerusalem, he also upholds Roman standards of justice. For Paul, this is a providential gatekeeper against the assassination plot. The verse shows how God can use even secular insistence on due process to protect His people and keep the mission moving forward.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So, he said, let those who have authority among you go with me, and if there is any wrong in the man, let them make a statement against him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Therefore those able among you--saith he--having come down together, if there be anything in this man--let them accuse him;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Let them, therefore, saith he, among you that are able, go down with me and accuse him, if there be any crime in the man.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let therefore the persons of authority among you, says he, going down too, if there be anything in this man, accuse him.
Context
Following the leaders’ request for a transfer, Festus sets terms that prevent it: the accusers must come to Cæsarea and present their case there. This turns the stage toward the impending trial in the provincial capital. In verses 6–7, Festus quickly returns and convenes the court, and the accusers present a flood of charges they cannot prove. Paul’s defense in verse 8 highlights the central issues: law, temple, and Cæsar. Understanding verse 5 clarifies why the hearing happens in Cæsarea and why Paul remains under Roman care at this critical moment.
v.4Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Cæsarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly.
v.5This passage
v.6And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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 24:8
from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
- Psalms 7:3
O Jehovah my God, if I have done this; If there be iniquity in my hands;
- Acts 25:18
Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;
- 1 Samuel 24:11
Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand; for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hand, and I have not sinned against thee, though thou huntest after my life to take it.
- 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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