What is the meaning of Acts 24:20?

Otherwise

• Paul has just presented his defense before Governor Felix (Acts 24:10–19).

• “Otherwise” signals a pivot: if his earlier testimony isn’t accepted, there is a second, simple test of truth.

• Cross reference: Acts 25:16 reminds us that Roman justice required accusers to face the accused; Paul leans on that standard.

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let these men

• “These men” are the Jewish leaders who traveled from Jerusalem (Acts 24:1).

• Paul shifts the spotlight from himself to them, echoing Deuteronomy 19:15, where multiple witnesses must confirm a matter.

• Like Jesus before the council (Matthew 26:59–60), Paul invites scrutiny of his accusers’ credibility.

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state for themselves

• Paul demands first-hand testimony, not rumors.

• Cross reference: John 18:23—Jesus challenged illicit testimony; Paul follows the same righteous pattern.

• By asking them to speak, he upholds Proverbs 18:17: “The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.”

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any crime they found in me

• The burden of proof lies with the accusers.

• Earlier, Commander Lysias wrote that Paul had no charge deserving death or imprisonment (Acts 23:29).

• Pontius Pilate reached a similar verdict about Jesus (Luke 23:4).

• Paul’s clean conscience reflects 1 Peter 2:12, living so that accusations prove groundless.

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when I stood before the Sanhedrin

• The reference is to Acts 23:1-10, where the council became divided over Paul’s proclamation of the resurrection.

• No legal wrongdoing was established; the conflict centered on doctrinal disagreement.

• Acts 22:30 shows that Roman authorities already noted the religious, not criminal, nature of the dispute.

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summary

Acts 24:20 records Paul’s confident appeal to due process and truthful testimony. Having just affirmed his blameless conduct, he invites his accusers to present any real evidence from the previous Sanhedrin hearing. None exists. The verse underscores Paul’s innocence, exposes the religious motives behind the charges, and models courageous dependence on God’s truth and the fairness built into both Scripture and Roman law.