Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 24:13
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
13. neither can they prove ( Rev. Ver., with MS. authority, adds to thee) the things, &c.] The proof must be such as the law required, not the mere multiplied assertions of the accusers. The verb implies a formal setting-forth of evidence, and is used by Josephus ( De vita sua, 6) of an array of proof which he has set forth to shew that his fellow-countrymen did not enter on a war till they were forced.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Neither can they prove the things … – That is, that I am a mover of sedition, or a disturber of the peace of the people. This appeal he boldly makes; he challenges investigation; and as they did not offer to specify any acts of disorder or tumult excited by him, this charge falls of course.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
They could not prove either of those crimes they charged him with, viz.
1. Raising of sedition; or,
2. Profaning of the temple, which they had accused him of.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. As that he was a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition, and a profaner of the temple these things they could not set forth in any clear light, and bring testimonies, or give demonstration of; they could not make them appear to be true, which it lay upon them to do, or otherwise in course he ought be acquitted: this was challenging and defying them to make good their assertions.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Prove (). First aorist active infinitive of , to place beside. They have made “charges,” mere assertions. They have not backed up these charges with proof, “nor can they,” says Paul.
Now (). As if they had changed their charges from the cries of the mob in Jerusalem which is true. Paul has no hired lawyer to plead for him, but he has made a masterly plea for his freedom.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “Neither can they prove,” (oude parastesai dunatai soi) “Nor are they able to prove to you,” give factual, trustworthy evidence to you. Not a single one will go on the stand to give personal testimony against me on these charges, for not a single one can do it, and tell the truth. With boldness, Paul pressed his innocence of the charges before Felix; Holy boldness is a desirable trait of faith, for which each child of God should pray; 2Co 7:4; Eph 6:19; Heb 4:16.
2) “The things whereof they now accuse me.” (peri on nuni kategorousin mou) “Concerning the things of which they now and hereafter accuse me;” Let it be recalled that our Lord prefaced His sermon on the Mount by warning His disciples that they should face such things, Mat 5:10-12; Joh 5:19-21.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
“Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.”
Nor could his accusers bring any proof that the things which they accused him of were true. It was a case of words without evidence. Not a single genuine witness had been produced. Their case was all generalities and accusations, an short on facts.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
Ver. 13. Neither can they prove the things ] And if to be barely accused be sufficient to make a man guilty, no man shall be innocent. It is happy if we can write (as the Lady Elizabeth did in Woodstock windows),
“Much alleged against me:
Nothing proved can be.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Act 24:13 . : , R.V. (so Blass, Gram. , p. 260, Simcox, Z. N. T. , p. 165); the Apostle after denying the specific charges made against him in Jerusalem, now proceeds further to a general denial of the charge that he had been an agitator amongst the Jews throughout the empire. : argumentis probare , only here in N.T. in this sense, but in classical Greek, Philo, Jos., Epictet. , see critical note.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
prove. Same as “shew” (Act 1:3). Here = demon-strate.
whereof = concerning (Greek. peri. App-104.) which.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Act 24:13. ) now, for the first time.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Act 25:7, 1Pe 3:16
Reciprocal: Jdg 11:15 – Israel took 1Ki 18:18 – I have not Ezr 4:6 – wrote Neh 6:8 – There are Job 32:3 – and yet Psa 35:11 – False witnesses Psa 119:69 – proud Pro 18:17 – General Jer 20:10 – Report Jer 37:13 – Thou Eze 22:9 – men that carry tales Dan 6:5 – General Luk 23:2 – forbidding Joh 18:21 – ask 1Pe 2:12 – that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
See notes on verse 10
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
24:13 Neither can they {h} prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
(h) They cannot lay forth before you and prove with good reasons.