Acts 24:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.

NIV: and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

NASB: And he even tried to desecrate the temple, so indeed we arrested him.

CSB: He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him. By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him."

NLT: Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.

KJV: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

NKJV: He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.

Tertullus is presenting the Sanhedrin's case against Paul before Governor Felix. He has already accused Paul of inciting riots around the Roman Empire (Acts 24:5) and now claims that only the quick thinking of his noble clients saved the temple from Paul's desecration.

This is a serious charge. It was a capital offense according to Roman law to defile a religious structure. Despite the belief of the Romans that Jews were atheists because they had no images of their God, Judaism was a protected religion, and the temple was a sacred monument.

The truth of the matter is that Jews from the province of Asia in southeast modern-day Turkey saw Paul in Jerusalem with an Asian Gentile named Trophimus. They later saw Paul in the temple and assumed he had brought Trophimus with him (Acts 21:27–29). Gentiles were more than welcome in the courtyard around the temple—it was called the "Courtyard of the Gentiles"—but they couldn't go inside unless they had fully converted to Judaism, up to and including being circumcised. So, if Paul had brought Trophimus into the temple, the Sanhedrin would have a case. But he didn't, so they don't.

Tertullus also plays with the truth when he says the Sanhedrin "seized" Paul. Those Jews from Asia grabbed Paul, dragged him out of the temple, and incited a mob to beat him so badly the Roman army tribune had to send soldiers to rescue him (Acts 21:30–36). The reason for the trial before the Governor is because Lysias, the tribune, couldn't figure out what crime Paul had committed, and the Sanhedrin had joined a conspiracy to murder him (Acts 23:12–15, 26–30).

Less-reliable manuscripts have an additional phrase at the end that reads, "and we would have judged him according to our law." Verse 7 and the first part of verse 8 are also missing from older texts; they read, "But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come before you." The inference is that Lysias is wasting Felix's time and got in the way of the rightful role of the Sanhedrin in their responsibilities of enforcing Jewish law. Even though Lysias never appears to give his testimony, Felix knows they're lying.

Acts 24:1–9 describes an attempt by members of the Sanhedrin to convince Governor Felix to convict Paul of capital offenses. They accuse Paul of inciting mayhem among Jews around the empire and leading a cult. Most damning, they accuse him of desecrating a religious structure. Their words sound condemning until Paul speaks and points out the charges are unfounded and unwitnessed. The truth is these accusers are just angry he believes in the resurrection of the dead.

Acts 24 is a transition period for Paul from freedom to captivity. For several years, he has traveled around Judea, Syria, modern-day Turkey, Macedonia, and Greece, spreading the good news about Jesus' offer of salvation. Through a series of misunderstandings and outright lies, he is now in custody in Caesarea Maritima. He will remain there for two years before demanding his case be sent to Caesar (Acts 25:11). Once he arrives in Rome, he will spend another two years in custody (Acts 28:30). Despite his confinement, his message will reach a king and the household of Nero.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.