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Acts 24:19

New Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Acts 24:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
Acts 24:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Acts 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.
17Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:
18amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but [there were] certain Jews from Asia--
19who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
20Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council,
21except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.
22But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.
← Acts 24:18Acts 24:20 →
← Full Chapter 24 Acts Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who ought to have been here before thee, etc.] For they were the only persons who saw him in the temple, and what he was doing; and who by an hideous outcry raised a mob upon him, who took things upon hearsay from them: and object, if they had ought against me; either with respect to sedition, or blasphemy, error or heresy, if they were capable of proving anything.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who ought to have been here ... - They were the proper witnesses, and as they had staid away it showed that they were not prepared to undergo a strict examination. They alone could testify as to anything that occurred in the temple; and as they were not present, that charge ought to be dismissed. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who ought to have been present before thee - But the world never commit greater blunders, even against its own laws, than when it is persecuting the children of God. Acts 24:21”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Act 23:30, Act 25:16 Acts 24:21”
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Related study paths

Read Acts 24 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification