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 Context

In 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 Context

In 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 Implications

The 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.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Accuse.

2. (a.) Charged with offense; as, an accused person.

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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/331.htm - 7k

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, the accused; the crime. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/159.htm - 6k

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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2723.htm - 7k

2724. kategoria -- an accusation
... charge. Word Origin probably from kategoreo Definition an accusation NASB
Word Usage accusation (2), accused (1). accusation. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2724.htm - 6k

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 Usage accused (4), accusing (1), bring a charge (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1458.htm - 7k

7170. qerats -- a piece
... charges. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to qerets Definition a piece NASB
Word Usage charges (1), maliciously accused* (1). accuse. ...
/hebrew/7170.htm - 6k

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 ...
/hebrew/6030a.htm - 6k

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), maliciously accused* (1 ...
/hebrew/399.htm - 6k

Whether it is Lawful for the Accused to Defend Himself with ...
... OF SINS COMMITTED AGAINST JUSTICE ON THE PART OF THE DEFENDANT (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful for the accused to defend himself with calumnies? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 7.htm

Whether it is Lawful for the Accused to Escape Judgment by ...
... OF SINS COMMITTED AGAINST JUSTICE ON THE PART OF THE DEFENDANT (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
it is lawful for the accused to escape judgment by appealing? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 8.htm

On the Question of an Accused Bishop Appealing to the Seat of the ...
... V. On the question of an accused bishop appealing to the seat of the apostles. On
the question of an accused bishop appealing to the seat of the apostles. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/v on the question of.htm

Of the Non-Condemnation of Accused Persons Without a Hearing Of
... the divine institutes Book V. Of Justice. Chap. I."Of the Non-Condemnation
of Accused Persons Without a Hearing of. Their Cause ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap i of the non-condemnation of.htm

Pheroras's Wife is Accused by his Freedmen, as Guilty of Poisoning ...
... CHAPTER 4. Pheroras's Wife Is Accused By His Freedmen, As Guilty Of Poisoning Him;
And How Herod, Upon Examining; Of The Matter By Torture Found The Poison ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 pherorass wife is.htm

Monsters of Wickedness, we are Accused of Observing a Holy Rite in ...
... Chapter VII. Monsters of wickedness, we are accused of observing a holy
rite in which we kill? Monsters of wickedness, we are ...
/.../tertullian/apology/chapter vii monsters of wickedness.htm

Of Accused Presbyters or Clerks.
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XX. (Greek xxiii.) Of accused presbyters
or clerks. Of accused presbyters or clerks. But if ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xx greek xxiii of.htm

Concerning the Accused or Accuser.
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XXX. (Greek xxxiii.) Concerning the accused
or accuser. Concerning the accused or accuser. [433] ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xxx greek xxxiii concerning.htm

Antipater is Accused Before Varus, and is Convicted of Laying a ...
... CHAPTER 32. Antipater Is Accused Before Varus, And Is Convicted Of Laying
A Plot [Against His Father] By The Strongest Evidence. ...
/.../chapter 32 antipater is accused.htm

How Eurycles Falsely Accused Herod's Sons; and How their Father ...
... How Eurycles Falsely Accused Herod's Sons; And How Their Father Bound Them, And
Wrote To Caesar About Them. Of Sylleus And How He Was Accused By Nicolaus. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 how eurycles falsely.htm

Accused (29 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Accuse. 2. (a.) Charged with offense; as, an accused person.
Multi-Version Concordance Accused (29 Occurrences). ...
/a/accused.htm - 15k

Witness (295 Occurrences)
... Among those not qualified to be witnesses were the near relations of the accuser
or the accused, friends and enemies, gamesters, usurers, tax-gatherers, heathen ...
/w/witness.htm - 44k

Touching (121 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:40 For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day's riot,
there being no cause 'for it': and as touching it we shall not be able to give ...
/t/touching.htm - 37k

Accuse (34 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Mark 15:3 The chief priests accused him
of many things. (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/accuse.htm - 16k

Pontius (4 Occurrences)
... their blood. They returned his hatred with cordiality, and accused him of
every crime, maladministration, cruelty, and robbery. He ...
/p/pontius.htm - 36k

Pilate (60 Occurrences)
... their blood. They returned his hatred with cordiality, and accused him of
every crime, maladministration, cruelty, and robbery. He ...
/p/pilate.htm - 53k

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 the accused was apparently ...
/f/festus.htm - 15k

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 an accused person, as ...
/t/torture.htm - 9k

Riot (14 Occurrences)
... Paul. (WEY). Acts 19:40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused
concerning this day's riot, there being no cause. Concerning ...
/r/riot.htm - 12k

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 the accused has met the accusers face to face ...
/d/defense.htm - 20k

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