The Acts of the Apostles

⭑ Berean Study Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 24 -

Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer (a) named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.

When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.

In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.

But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.

We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.(b)

By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”

The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

Paul’s Defense to Felix

When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.

You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.

Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.

I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.

At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia

(c)

who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.

Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,(d)

unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”

The Verdict Postponed

Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”

He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.

After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”

At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.

After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Footnotes

(a)24:1 Or an orator

(b)24:6 BYZ and TR include and we would have judged him according to our law. 7 But Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.

(d)24:20 Or the Council

After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.

When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight,

we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.(a)

(b)

(c)

By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”

The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

Paul’s Defense to Felix

When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,

seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.

In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.

Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;

amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.

They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me.

Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,

unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’”

The Verdict Postponed

But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.”

He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

After some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”

Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often and talked with him.

But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

Footnotes

(a)24:6 TR adds “We wanted to judge him according to our law,”

(b)24:7 TR adds “but the commanding officer, Lysias, came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,”