What Does Acts 24:1 Mean in the King James?

And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

Acts 24:1 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

“Informed” pictures a matter being brought into view: an accusation becomes visible to power before it is established as true.

THE MEANING

A person comes into authority’s view through the account others bring: Ananias arrives with the elders and Tertullus, who reports Paul to the governor. The verse holds a clear distinction: presenting a claim makes it visible, but does not by itself establish it as true.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

A charge formally presented to authority is already proven true.

THE ROOT

ἐνεφάνισαν

enephanisan

GROWS FROM

⁨φαν-⁩ (⁨φαίνω⁩, phainō)

To appear or bring into view.

The Greek verb ⁨ἐμφανίζω⁩ means to make something visible or evident; here it describes bringing a report before the governor. Its ⁨φαίνω⁩ root also appears in words for appearing and making manifest, so “informed” carries the image of a claim being brought into view.

ALSO GROWS

phainō: Appear, shine, become visible.

φαίνω

The report makes Paul and the claim against him visible to the governor.

phaneroō: Make manifest, reveal.

φανερόω

This related form highlights how presenting a claim makes it evident to an authority, without itself proving the claim.

epiphaneia: Appearance, manifestation.

ἐπιφάνεια

Its shared ⁨φαίν-⁩ word family keeps the sense of something coming into view at the center of the verse.

THE PATTERN

A report can be brought before authority, but the act of presenting it does not itself establish its truth.

Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Exodus 23:1 · KJVThe verse names the danger of a report entering public judgment as though its presentation made it reliable.

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

Proverbs 18:17 · KJVThe first account can seem convincing until another account tests what has been brought into view.

Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

John 18:29 · KJVAuthority asks what charge is being presented before deciding what it means.

THE THREAD

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

Acts 25:2 · KJV

The same Greek verb, ⁨ἐμφανίζω⁩, appears again as Paul is reported to another governor. The repeated word keeps the focus on how an accusation is brought into authority’s view.

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