Acts 24:8
Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
Original Language Analysis
τούς
G3588
τούς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατηγόρους
accusers
G2725
κατηγόρους
accusers
Strong's:
G2725
Word #:
3 of 20
against one in the assembly, i.e., a complainant at law; specially, satan
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἔρχεσθαι
to come
G2064
ἔρχεσθαι
to come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
5 of 20
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἐπί
unto
G1909
ἐπί
unto
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
6 of 20
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
παρ'
of
G3844
παρ'
of
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
ὧν
whereof
G3739
ὧν
whereof
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
αὐτοῦ
him
G846
αὐτοῦ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀνακρίνας
by examining
G350
ἀνακρίνας
by examining
Strong's:
G350
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, to scrutinize, i.e., (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τούτων
these things
G5130
τούτων
these things
Strong's:
G5130
Word #:
15 of 20
of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
ἐπιγνῶναι
take knowledge
G1921
ἐπιγνῶναι
take knowledge
Strong's:
G1921
Word #:
16 of 20
to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge
ὧν
whereof
G3739
ὧν
whereof
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Historical Context
Roman governors could personally interrogate defendants. Tertullus's invitation demonstrated overconfidence in their case's strength.
Questions for Reflection
- How does truth withstand invitation to examination?
- What does overconfidence in false accusation teach about spiritual warfare?
Analysis & Commentary
'By examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.' Tertullus invited Felix to interrogate Paul, confident their accusations would be confirmed. This challenge backfired when Paul's defense proved compelling.