Acts 24:12
New International Version
My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.

New Living Translation
My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city.

English Standard Version
and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.

Berean Standard Bible
Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.

Berean Literal Bible
And neither did they find me reasoning with anyone or making a tumultuous gathering of a crowd in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

King James Bible
And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

New King James Version
And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.

New American Standard Bible
And neither in the temple did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself.

NASB 1995
“Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot.

NASB 1977
“And neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot.

Legacy Standard Bible
And neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor across the city did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot.

Amplified Bible
Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor elsewhere in the city did they find me carrying on a discussion or disputing with anybody or causing a crowd to gather.

Christian Standard Bible
They didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They didn’t find me disputing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple complex or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.

American Standard Version
and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

Contemporary English Version
Never once did the Jews find me arguing with anyone in the temple. I didn't cause trouble in the synagogues or in the city itself.

English Revised Version
and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No one found me having a discussion with anyone in the temple courtyard or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues throughout the city.

Good News Translation
The Jews did not find me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor did they find me stirring up the people, either in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.

International Standard Version
They never found me debating with anyone in the Temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or throughout the city,

Majority Standard Bible
Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.

NET Bible
They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city,

New Heart English Bible
In the temple they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither exciting the people to sedition, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

Weymouth New Testament
and that neither in the Temple nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city, did they find me disputing with any opponent or collecting a crowd about me.

World English Bible
In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and neither did they find me reasoning with anyone in the temple, or making a dissension of the multitude, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city;

Berean Literal Bible
And neither did they find me reasoning with anyone or making a tumultuous gathering of a crowd in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

Young's Literal Translation
and neither in the temple did they find me reasoning with any one, or making a dissension of the multitude, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city;

Smith's Literal Translation
And neither in the temple found they me discussing with any, or making a revolt of the crowd, neither in synagogues, nor in the city:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man, or causing any concourse of the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they did not find me in the temple arguing with anyone, nor causing a rally of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.

New American Bible
Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city did they find me arguing with anyone or instigating a riot among the people.

New Revised Standard Version
They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, nor have I had an assembly either in their synagogues or in the city:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Neither did they find me speaking with any man in The Temple nor a crowd that I had gathered, either in their synagogues, nor in the city;”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they found me neither disputing with any one in the temple, nor exciting the multitude in the synagogue, or in the city:

Godbey New Testament
Neither did they find me in the temple disputing with any one, or causing an excitement of the multitude, neither in the synagogues, nor throughout the city:

Haweis New Testament
And neither in the temple found they me disputing with any man, nor raising any sedition among the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

Mace New Testament
they neither found me in conference with any one in the temple, nor working up the people either in the assemblies or in the streets:

Weymouth New Testament
and that neither in the Temple nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city, did they find me disputing with any opponent or collecting a crowd about me.

Worrell New Testament
and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any one, or causing a stirring up of a multitude, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city;

Worsley New Testament
and they neither found me disputing with any one in the temple, or making sedition among the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Defense to Felix
11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city. 13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.…

Cross References
Acts 25:8
Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

Acts 21:28-29
crying out, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and against our law and against this place. Furthermore, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” / For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Acts 6:13-14
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Acts 26:21
For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.

Acts 28:17
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.

Acts 23:1
Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”

Acts 21:27
When the seven days were almost over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,

Acts 22:30
The next day the commander, wanting to learn the real reason Paul was accused by the Jews, released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.

Acts 18:13
“This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.

Acts 25:10
Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.

Acts 23:12-15
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...

Acts 21:40
Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew:

Acts 22:24
the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him.

Acts 25:7
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.

Acts 26:2
“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews,


Treasury of Scripture

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

Acts 24:5
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

Acts 25:8
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

Acts 28:17
And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

Jump to Previous
Accusers Anywhere Arguing Argument Carrying Causing City Collecting Crowd Discussion Disputing Dissension Either Feelings Find Found Gathering Itself Making Multitude Opponent Raising Reasoning Sedition Stirring Synagogues Temple Together Tumultuous Working
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Accusers Anywhere Arguing Argument Carrying Causing City Collecting Crowd Discussion Disputing Dissension Either Feelings Find Found Gathering Itself Making Multitude Opponent Raising Reasoning Sedition Stirring Synagogues Temple Together Tumultuous Working
Acts 24
1. Paul being accused by Tertullus the orator,
10. answers for his life and doctrine.
24. He preaches Christ to the governor and his wife.
26. The governor hopes for a bribe, but in vain.
27. Felix, succeeded by Festus, leaves Paul in prison.














Nor did they find me
This phrase emphasizes Paul's defense against the accusations brought against him. The Greek word for "find" (εὑρίσκω, heuriskō) implies a thorough search or investigation. Paul is asserting that despite their efforts, his accusers could not substantiate their claims. This highlights the integrity and blamelessness of Paul's conduct, reflecting the Christian call to live above reproach (Philippians 2:15).

disputing with anyone
The term "disputing" (διαλέγομαι, dialegomai) suggests a reasoned dialogue or debate. In the context of the early church, such discussions were common as believers sought to explain and defend their faith. However, Paul clarifies that he was not engaged in contentious arguments, which aligns with the biblical exhortation to avoid quarrels and instead pursue peace (2 Timothy 2:24).

in the temple
The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship and a place of significant religious activity. Paul's mention of the temple underscores the seriousness of the accusations, as any disturbance there would have been a grave offense. Historically, the temple was a place of prayer and sacrifice, and Paul's presence there was in line with his respect for Jewish customs, even as he preached the gospel of Christ.

or stirring up a crowd
The phrase "stirring up a crowd" (ἐπισύστασις, episustasis) refers to inciting unrest or rebellion. Paul denies any such actions, which were serious charges in the Roman Empire, known for its strict control over public order. This defense highlights Paul's commitment to peaceful evangelism and his adherence to the teachings of Christ, who advocated for peace and love (Matthew 5:9).

in the synagogues
Synagogues were central to Jewish community life, serving as places of worship, teaching, and community gatherings. Paul's mention of synagogues indicates his active engagement with Jewish communities, as was his custom (Acts 17:2). His defense suggests that his activities were consistent with Jewish traditions and not disruptive, reflecting his strategy of first reaching out to Jews with the message of Christ.

or anywhere else in the city
This phrase broadens Paul's defense to include all of Jerusalem, emphasizing that his conduct was consistent and peaceful throughout the city. The historical context of Jerusalem as a city under Roman rule, with a diverse population and frequent tensions, underscores the importance of Paul's claim. His peaceful demeanor and respect for authority align with the biblical call to be good citizens and witnesses for Christ (Romans 13:1-7).

(12) They neither found me in the temple . . .--The answer traverses all parts of the indictment. He had not even entered into a discussion in the Temple. He had not even gathered a crowd around him in any part of the city. He challenges the accusers to bring any adequate evidence--i.e., that of two or three witnesses, independent and agreeing--in proof of their charges.

Verse 12. - Neither in the temple did they find me for they neither found me in the temple, A.V.; or stirring up a crowd for neither raising up the people, A.V.; nor... nor for neither... nor, A.V. Stirring up a crowd. The reading of the R.T. is ἐπίστασιν ποιοῦντα ὄχλου, which must mean "a stoppage of the crowd," in which sense it is a medical term. But Meyer thinks it is a mere clerical error for the reading of the T.R. ἐπισύστασιν, which is used in the LXX for "a tumultuous assembly" (Numbers 26:9; 3Esdr. 25:9), and in Josephus, 'Contr. Apion.,' 1:20, of a conspiracy or revolt. In the LXX. also the verb ἐπισυνίσταμαι means "to rise in revolt against" (Numbers 14:25; Numbers 16:19; Numbers 26:9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Yet
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[my accusers] did not find
εὗρόν (heuron)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

me
με (me)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

debating
διαλεγόμενον (dialegomenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1256: To converse, address, preach, lecture; I argue, reason. Middle voice from dia and lego; to say thoroughly, i.e. Discuss.

with
πρός (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

anyone
τινα (tina)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

temple
ἱερῷ (hierō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2411: Neuter of hieros; a sacred place, i.e. The entire precincts of the Temple.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

riling up
ποιοῦντα (poiounta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

a crowd
ὄχλου (ochlou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3793: From a derivative of echo; a throng; by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

synagogues
συναγωγαῖς (synagōgais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4864: From sunago; an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish 'synagogue'; by analogy, a Christian church.

[or]
οὔτε (oute)
Conjunction
Strong's 3777: And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.

in
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

city.
πόλιν (polin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.


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