Acts 24
Big idea: Paul's first formal Roman trial: a hired orator dresses the mob's rage as sedition, and Paul answers with checkable facts — twelve days, no crowd, no proof, absent accusers — while confessing the one thing he will not deny: 'according to the Way... so I serve the God of our fathers,' in the hope of the resurrection. Felix, well informed and unwilling to rule, converts justice into delay: custody with privileges, audiences that terrify him, a hoped-for bribe, and two years of nothing.
Verse 27 hands the story to chapter 25 in a single clause: 'Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.' The new governor inherits an old case and the same pressure — and it is before Festus, to escape being handed back to Jerusalem, that Paul will appeal to Caesar.
24:1–9 — Tertullus for the prosecution
Ananias comes down in person with elders and a professional orator, Tertullus, whose speech opens with lavish flattery — much peace by you, prosperity by your foresight, most excellent Felix — and then compresses the case into three charges: Paul is a plague and instigator of insurrections among Jews throughout the world, a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and a man who even tried to profane the temple. The Jews join the attack, affirming it all.
1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. 2 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, 3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 5 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. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. 8 By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.
24:10–21 — Paul's defense before Felix
Paul's answer moves from verifiable facts to open confession. Facts: only twelve days since he went up to worship; no disputing, no crowd-stirring in temple, synagogue, or city; nothing they can prove. Confession: 'according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers' — believing all that is according to the law and written in the prophets, sharing his accusers' own hope of a resurrection of both the just and unjust, and practicing a conscience void of offense. He came bringing alms and offerings; the Asian Jews who found him purified in the temple ought to be here to accuse him — and the men present can name only one thing: his cry about the resurrection.
10 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, 11 seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 12 In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 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; 15 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. 16 In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. 19 They ought to have been here before you and to make accusation if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, 21 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!’”
24:22–27 — Felix delays: two years
Felix — who has 'more exact knowledge concerning the Way' — defers the verdict, pending Lysias, and keeps Paul in a light custody open to friends. Then the private audiences: with Drusilla his Jewish wife he hears Paul 'concerning the faith in Christ Jesus,' but when the reasoning turns to righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix is terrified and dismisses him until 'it is convenient.' Luke names the other motive — hope of a bribe — and the outcome: two years pass, Festus succeeds, and Felix, wanting the Jews' favor, leaves Paul in bonds.
22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 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. 24 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. 25 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.” 26 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. 27 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.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).