“They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. Acts 24:19

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This verse completes the previous verse. A more literal rendering is, “…who ought to appear before you and accuse if they may have anything against me” (CG).

The previous verse reads, “In which they found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd, nor with a tumult. And who, Jews from Asia…” (CG). That now continues with, “who ought to appear before you and accuse.”

Paul’s words cut to the heart of the matter. The very people who could testify to the situation had not come to do so. It is a hint that either they would have to perjure themselves or that they would have to admit that he had done nothing wrong.

However, if the excuse was made that these witnesses had gone back home after the feast, it would still show that there were none to accuse him. As such, any charges against him would have to be dropped for lack of evidence.

As for any others who would testify, it would be hearsay, not firsthand witness. The logical end of his words is that the charges were unsound and should be dismissed. He finishes the thought with, “if they may have anything against me.”

The obvious meaning is that there were no valid accusations, and thus, the charges were invalid. This was a religious matter that had nothing to do with Rome. And more, it was Paul who was wronged simply because of his interpretation of the law and the prophets.

Life application: Paul was an apostle. As such, the words of Jesus found in Matthew 10 certainly apply to him –

“But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” Matthew 10:19, 20

Although persecution is not an uncommon occurrence in the church today, those words were not spoken to us as a general rule we can apply to ourselves. They were spoken by Jesus to His apostles. Evidence that the Lord was with Paul in the same manner is found throughout Acts, where the Lord appears to him and tells him that He is with him.

As this is so, and as those words of Matthew 10 do not apply to us today, it is the best policy not to speak out of turn. If we have a legal matter, it is a sound strategy for us to hire a lawyer. The Lord wanted Paul’s ministry to continue because it was a part of the unfolding actions that would lead to the compilation of His completed word.

We now have that completed word and should not expect the Lord to appear to us and tell us what to do. Nor should we expect visions, dreams, or revelations of things that are not recorded in the word.

Having said that, we will get out of the word just what we put into it. The more we read it, the more clarity we will be able to obtain about the mysteries God has tucked away in it. New insights, types, and pictures are found every day by people who study and evaluate the word.

It is truly an inexhaustible word, so filled with wisdom that we will be searching it out and finding new insights until the day the Lord takes us home. So be sure to get into the word and read it daily. You will be blessed as you do.

Lord God Almighty, how wonderful it is to read Your word, come to something we don’t understand, and then take the time to read commentaries or try to work through it until we find a resolution to our questions. It is a delight because we are filling our minds with what You have given us to guide us all our days. Thank You for this wonderful treasure, Your superior word! Amen.