The Acts of the Apostles

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- Chapter 24 -

Then, after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and a certain Tertullus, a speaker. And they went to the governor against Paul.

And having summoned Paul, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Most excellent Felix, since we have much peace through you, and many things may be corrected by your providence,

we acknowledge this, always and everywhere, with acts of thanksgiving for everything.

But lest I speak at too great a length, I beg you, by your clemency, to listen to us briefly.

We have found this man to be pestilent, to be inciting seditions among all the Jews in the entire world, and to be the author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.

And he has even been attempting to violate the temple. And having apprehended him, we wanted him to be judged according to our law.

But Lysias, the tribune, overwhelming us with great violence, snatched him away from our hands,

ordering his accusers to come to you. From them, you yourself will be able, by judging about all these things, to understand the reason that we accuse him.”

And then the Jews interjected, saying that these things were so.

Paul’s Defense to Felix

Then, since the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that you have been the judge over this nation for many years, I will give an explanation of myself with an honest soul.

For, as you may realize, it has only been twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

And they did not find me in the temple arguing with anyone, nor causing a rally of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.

And they are not able to prove to you the things about which they now accuse me.

But I confess this to you, that according to that sect, which they call a heresy, so do I serve my God and Father, believing all that is written in the Law and the Prophets,

having a hope in God, which these others themselves also expect, that there will be a future resurrection of the just and the unjust.

And in this, I myself always strive to have a conscience that is lacking in any offense toward God and toward men.

Then, after many years, I went to my nation, bringing alms and offerings and vows,

through which I obtained purification in the temple: neither with a crowd, nor with a commotion.

But certain Jews out of Asia are the ones who should have appeared before you to accuse me, if they have anything against me.

Or let these ones here say if they have found in me any iniquity, while standing before the council.

For while standing among them, I spoke out solely about this one matter: about the resurrection of the dead. It is about this that I am being judged today by you.”

The Verdict Postponed

Then Felix, after having ascertained much knowledge about this Way, kept them waiting, by saying, “When Lysias the tribune has arrived, I will give you a hearing.”

And he ordered a centurion to guard him, and to take rest, and not to prohibit any of his own from ministering to him.(a)

Then, after some days, Felix, arriving with his wife Drusilla who was a Jew, called for Paul and listened to him about the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

And after he discoursed about justice and chastity, and about the future judgment, Felix was trembling, and he responded: “For now, go, but remain under guard. Then, at an opportune time, I will summon you.”

He was also hoping that money might be given to him by Paul, and because of this, he frequently summoned him and spoke with him.

Then, when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus. And since Felix wanted to show particular favor to the Jews, he left Paul behind as a prisoner.

Footnotes

(a)24:23 In other words, the guard did not need to guard him 24/7, but could take rest breaks for himself. This guard was merely to keep tabs on Paul, not to restrict his activities.(Conte)

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,”