Acts 24:8

commanding his accusers to come unto thee Which Lysias had not done till Paul was removed beyond reach of pursuit.

by examining of whom In the A. V. the relative "whom" is here naturally referred to "accusers." A glance at the Greek shews that this cannot be, for it is in the singular number. The Rev. Ver.gives the literal rendering of the passage thus, "From whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself. to take knowledge, &c." If the supposed interpolation be accepted as text, then "whom" and "him" would most properly be referred to Lysias. Felix might on the arrival of the chief captain question him and learn the truth of what had taken place. And with this the remark of Felix in Acts 24:22 fits in, "When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter." If however the doubtful words be rejected, then the pronouns must refer to St Paul. But it is curious, to say the least, that Tertullus should suggest to Felix that the truth of his case should be supported by an examination of the person accused. It has therefore been suggested that the word rendered "examining" has regard to some process of torture by which a prisoner might be forced to confess the truth. But for this no sufficient support has been found. The noun derived from this verb is employed (Acts 25:26) for the inquiry before Agrippa. On the whole there seems quite as much to be said in favour of the Textus Receptusfrom internal evidence, as can be brought against it by the evidence of MSS.