The Acts of the Apostles

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- Chapter 24 -

Five days later Ananias the high priest went down there from Jerusalem, along with some other Jewish elders and a speech maker whose name was Tertullus. There they told the governor what Paul had done that they thought was wrong.

The governor commanded Paul to be brought in. When Paul arrived, Tertullus began to accuse him. He said to the governor, “Honorable Governor Felix, during the many years that you have ruled us, we have lived well. By planning wisely, you have improved many things in this province.

Therefore, Governor Felix, we always thank you for everything that you have done for all of us, wherever you have done those things.

But, so that I will not take up too much of your time, I ask that you kindly listen to what I have to say.

We have observed that this man, wherever he goes, causes trouble with the Jews. He also leads the entire group whom people call the followers of the Nazarene.

He even tried to do things in the temple in Jerusalem that would pollute it, so we arrested him. And we wanted to judge him according to our law

But Lysias, the commander of the Roman fortress, came with his soldiers and took him away from us,

sending us to you. If you question him yourself, you will be able to learn that all these things about which we are accusing him are true.

Then the Jewish leaders there told the governor that what Tertullus had said was true.

Paul’s Defense to Felix

Then the governor motioned with his hand to Paul that he should speak. So Paul replied, and said, “Governor Felix, I know that you have judged this Jewish province for many years. Therefore I gladly defend myself. I know that you will listen to me and will judge me fairly.

You know that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship God.

No one can say that they saw me arguing with anyone in the temple courts because I did not do that. No one can say that they saw me causing people to riot in any Jewish synagogue or causing trouble anywhere else in Jerusalem, because I did not do that.

So they cannot prove to you the things about which they are now accusing me.

But I admit to you that this is true: I do worship God who our ancestors worshiped. It is true that I follow the way that Jesus taught us. I also believe everything that Moses wrote in the laws that God gave him and everything that the other prophets wrote in their books.

I believe, just like these men also believe, that some day God will cause everyone who has died to become alive again, both those who were good and those who were wicked.

Because I believe that day will come, I always try to do what pleases God and what other people think is right.

After I had been in other places for several years, I returned to Jerusalem to bring some money to my fellow Jews who are poor.

Some Jews from Asia saw me in the temple courts after I had completed the ritual that allows one to worship God. There was no crowd with me, and I was not causing people to riot.

But it was those Jews who caused the people to riot. They should be here in front of you to accuse me, if they think that I did something wrong.

But if they do not want to do that, these Jewish men who are here should tell you what they think I did that was wrong when I defended myself in their council.

They might say that I did something wrong when I shouted, ‘You are judging me today because I believe that God will cause all people who have died to become alive again.’”

The Verdict Postponed

Felix already knew much about what people called the Way, and so he stopped the trial. He said to them, “Later, when Commander Lysias comes down here, I will decide this case.”

Then he told the officer who was guarding Paul to take Paul back to the prison and make sure that Paul was guarded all the time. But he said that Paul was not to be chained, and if his friends came to visit him, the officer should allow them to help Paul in any way that they wanted to.

Several days later Felix came back with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jew, and called for Paul to speak with him. Felix listened to what Paul said to him about trusting in Jesus Christ.

Paul talked to him about what God wants people to do in order to please him. He also explained how people should control how they act and that there would be a time when God will judge all people. Felix became afraid after hearing those things, so he said to Paul, “That is all I want to hear now. When I have time, I will ask you to come to me again.”

Felix was hoping that Paul would give him some money, so he sent for Paul to come to him many times. Paul talked with Felix many times, but he did not give Felix any money, and Felix did not tell his soldiers to release Paul from prison.

When two years had passed, Porcius Festus became governor in place of Felix. Felix let Paul remain in prison because he wanted to please the Jewish leaders.

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,”