What Does Acts 24:8 Mean in the King James?
Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse separates accusation from knowledge: the person charged is still to be examined before the matter can be known.
THE MEANING
A charge reaches you as someone else’s account; it is not yet the same as knowing. Here, direct examination opens a path from accusation toward recognition of what the matter contains.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that being accused means being known: the person at the center of the charge is still to be examined.
THE ROOT
ἀνακρίνας
anakrínas from anakrínō
GROWS FROM
κρίνω
krínō
to distinguish, separate, or decide
The Greek verb translated “examining” carries the sense of distinguishing and weighing, not merely collecting information. The same verb appears in 1 Corinthians 2:15 as “judgeth,” revealing examination as an act of discernment.
ALSO GROWS
krínō: judge, distinguish, decide
κρίνω
It shows that examining the charge involves weighing what is presented.
diakrínō: distinguish, discern
διακρίνω
This related form makes explicit the separating work implicit in careful examination.
ἐπιγνῶναι
epignōnai from epiginṓskō
GROWS FROM
γινώσκω
ginṓskō
to know, recognize, or perceive
The phrase translated “take knowledge” uses epiginṓskō, a form built on ginṓskō: to know or recognize. The wording links knowing with coming into contact with the matter, rather than simply receiving the accusers’ account.
ALSO GROWS
ginṓskō: know, recognize, perceive
γινώσκω
The base verb shows the act of knowing beneath the fuller form in the verse.
epígnōsis: recognition, knowledge
ἐπίγνωσις
This related noun carries the same knowing-root, connecting examination with the recognition it can yield.
THE PATTERN
An accusation becomes discernible knowledge through examination rather than through the force of the first account.
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.THE THREAD
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.The Greek verb translated “judgeth” is anakrinō, the same verb translated “examining” here. The shared word reveals examination as discernment: what is alleged is brought under judgment before it becomes knowledge.
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