Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "accused" refers to an individual who is charged with wrongdoing or sin, either by other people or by spiritual entities. The concept of accusation is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, where it is often associated with legal, moral, and spiritual dimensions.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, accusations often occur within the framework of the Mosaic Law, where legal procedures were established to handle disputes and accusations. For instance,
Deuteronomy 19:15-19 outlines the requirement for multiple witnesses to establish a matter: "A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses" . This legal principle underscores the importance of fairness and justice in handling accusations.
The account of Joseph provides a narrative example of false accusation. In
Genesis 39, Joseph is falsely accused of attempting to assault Potiphar's wife, leading to his imprisonment. This account highlights the potential for misuse of accusations and the suffering that can result from false charges.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the theme of accusation takes on a more spiritual dimension. Satan, whose name means "adversary" or "accuser," is depicted as the ultimate accuser of humanity.
Revelation 12:10 describes him as "the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them day and night before our God" . This portrayal emphasizes the spiritual battle between good and evil, where Satan seeks to condemn believers.
Jesus Christ Himself faced numerous accusations during His earthly ministry. The Gospels recount various instances where religious leaders accused Him of blasphemy, breaking the Sabbath, and other offenses. In
Mark 14:55-59, the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but their testimonies did not agree. Despite these accusations, Jesus remained sinless, fulfilling His role as the spotless Lamb of God.
The Apostle Paul also experienced accusations, both from Jewish leaders and Roman authorities. In
Acts 24, Paul defends himself before Governor Felix against charges of stirring up riots and desecrating the temple. Paul's responses to these accusations often provided opportunities to testify about his faith and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Spiritual ImplicationsThe Bible teaches that believers may face accusations, both just and unjust, as part of their spiritual journey. In
1 Peter 3:16, Christians are encouraged to maintain a clear conscience so that those who slander them may be put to shame by their good behavior in Christ. This reflects the call to live righteously and trust in God's ultimate justice.
Moreover, the New Testament assures believers of their defense against spiritual accusations through Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:33-34 declares, "Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us" . This passage offers comfort and assurance that, despite accusations, believers are justified and defended by Christ.
In summary, the concept of being accused in the Bible encompasses legal, moral, and spiritual dimensions, with significant implications for justice, righteousness, and the believer's relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Accuse.
2. (a.) Charged with offense; as, an accused person.
Greek
331. anathema -- that which is laid up, ie a votive offering...accused, anathema, curse. From anatithemai; a (religious) ban or (concretely)
excommunicated (thing or person) --
accused, anathema, curse, X great.
...159. aitios -- causative of, responsible for
... aitios Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-ee-tee-os) Short Definition: the cause of, the
originator of Definition: the cause, author; the culprit, theaccused; the crime....
2723. kategoreo -- to make accusation
... Origin from kata and agoreuo (to speak in the assembly) Definition to make accusation
NASB Word Usage accusation against (1), accuse (10),accused (3), accuses...
2724. kategoria -- an accusation
... charge. Word Origin probably from kategoreo Definition an accusation NASB
Word Usage accusation (2),accused (1). accusation. From...
1458. egkaleo -- to call in (as a debt or demand), ie bring to...
... Word Origin from en and kaleo Definition to call in (as a debt or demand), ie bring
to account NASB Word Usageaccused (4), accusing (1), bring a charge (1...
Strong's Hebrew
7170. qerats -- a piece... charges. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to qerets Definition a piece NASB
Word Usage charges (1), maliciously
accused* (1). accuse.
...6030a. anah -- to answer, respond
... root Definition to answer, respond NASB Word Usage accuse (1),accused (1), agrees
to make (1), answer (94), answer* (1), answered (102), answering (1...
399. akal -- to eat, devour
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to akal Definition to eat, devour NASB Word
Usage brought (1), devour (2), devoured (2), eating (1), maliciouslyaccused* (1...
Library
Whether it is Lawful for theAccused to Defend Himself with...
... OF SINS COMMITTED AGAINST JUSTICE ON THE PART OF THE DEFENDANT (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful for theaccused to defend himself with calumnies?...
Whether it is Lawful for theAccused to Escape Judgment by...
... OF SINS COMMITTED AGAINST JUSTICE ON THE PART OF THE DEFENDANT (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful for theaccused to escape judgment by appealing?...
On the Question of anAccused Bishop Appealing to the Seat of the...
... V. On the question of anaccused bishop appealing to the seat of the apostles. On
the question of anaccused bishop appealing to the seat of the apostles....
Of the Non-Condemnation ofAccused Persons Without a Hearing Of
... the divine institutes Book V. Of Justice. Chap. I."Of the Non-Condemnation
ofAccused Persons Without a Hearing of. Their Cause...
Pheroras's Wife isAccused by his Freedmen, as Guilty of Poisoning...
... CHAPTER 4. Pheroras's Wife IsAccused By His Freedmen, As Guilty Of Poisoning Him;
And How Herod, Upon Examining; Of The Matter By Torture Found The Poison...
Monsters of Wickedness, we areAccused of Observing a Holy Rite in...
... Chapter VII. Monsters of wickedness, we areaccused of observing a holy
rite in which we kill? Monsters of wickedness, we are...
OfAccused Presbyters or Clerks.
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XX. (Greek xxiii.) Ofaccused presbyters
or clerks. Ofaccused presbyters or clerks. But if...
Concerning theAccused or Accuser.
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XXX. (Greek xxxiii.) Concerning theaccused
or accuser. Concerning theaccused or accuser. [433]...
Antipater isAccused Before Varus, and is Convicted of Laying a...
... CHAPTER 32. Antipater IsAccused Before Varus, And Is Convicted Of Laying
A Plot [Against His Father] By The Strongest Evidence....
How Eurycles FalselyAccused Herod's Sons; and How their Father...
... How Eurycles FalselyAccused Herod's Sons; And How Their Father Bound Them, And
Wrote To Caesar About Them. Of Sylleus And How He WasAccused By Nicolaus....
Thesaurus
Accused (29 Occurrences)... 1. (imp. & pp) of Accuse. 2. (a.) Charged with offense; as, an
accused person.
Multi-Version Concordance
Accused (29 Occurrences).
...Witness (295 Occurrences)
... Among those not qualified to be witnesses were the near relations of the accuser
or theaccused, friends and enemies, gamesters, usurers, tax-gatherers, heathen...
Touching (121 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:40 For indeed we are in danger to beaccused concerning this day's riot,
there being no cause 'for it': and as touching it we shall not be able to give...
Accuse (34 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Mark 15:3 The chief priestsaccused him
of many things. (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Pontius (4 Occurrences)
... their blood. They returned his hatred with cordiality, andaccused him of
every crime, maladministration, cruelty, and robbery. He...
Pilate (60 Occurrences)
... their blood. They returned his hatred with cordiality, andaccused him of
every crime, maladministration, cruelty, and robbery. He...
Festus (14 Occurrences)
... to Caesarea proceeded himself to examine Paul (Acts 25:6). But on finding that the
evidence was conflicting, and reflecting that, as theaccused was apparently...
Torture (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Especially, severe pain inflicted judicially, either as punishment for a
crime, or for the purpose of extorting a confession from anaccused person, as...
Riot (14 Occurrences)
... Paul. (WEY). Acts 19:40 For indeed we are in danger of beingaccused
concerning this day's riot, there being no cause. Concerning...
Defense (49 Occurrences)
... Acts 25:16 To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up
any man to destruction, before theaccused has met the accusers face to face...
Resources
What was the Scopes Monkey Trial? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being in jail or prison? | GotQuestions.orgWere the Salem Witch Trials biblical? | GotQuestions.orgAccused: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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