Acts 25:16
14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.
- KJV
- To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
- WEB
- I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction before the accused has met the accusers face to face and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
- ASV
- 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 defense concerning the matter laid against him.
- DARBY
- to whom I answered, It is not [the] custom of the Romans to give up any man before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and he have got opportunity of defence touching the charge.
- BLB
- to whom I answered that it is not a custom with Romans to give up any man before the one being accused may have [it] to face the accusers and may have a place of defense concerning the accusation.
- ÅB
- Jeg svarte dem da at det ikke er sedvane hos romerne å utlevere et menneske for å gjøre noen til lags; men den som klagen gjelder, må først stilles fram for sine anklagere og få adgang til å forsvare seg mot klagemålet.
- OTB
- Jeg sa til dem at det ikke er romersk skikk å overgi noen før de har møtt sine anklagere og har hatt muligheten til å forsvare seg mot anklagene.
- B1930
- Jeg svarte dem da at det ikke er sedvane hos romerne å utlevere et menneske for å gjøre nogen til lags; men den som klagen gjelder, må først stilles frem for sine anklagere og få adgang til å forsvare sig mot klagemålet.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
John 7:51
Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?
Read in contextDeuteronomy 19:17–18
Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
Read in contextActs 23:30
And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
Read in contextProverbs 18:17
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Read in contextActs 25:4–5
But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
Read in contextProverbs 18:13
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Read in contextDeuteronomy 17:4
And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:
Read in contextActs 26:1
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
Read in context