Chapter 24
Trial Before Felix. 1 Five days later the high priest
Ananias came down with some elders and an advocate, a certain Tertullus, and
they presented formal charges against Paul to the governor. 2 When he was
called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Since we have attained much
peace through you and reforms have been accomplished in this nation through
your provident care, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most
excellent Felix, with all gratitude. 4 But in order not to detain you further,
I ask you to give us a brief hearing with your customary graciousness. 5 We
found this man to be a pest; he creates dissension among Jews all over the
world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazoreans.[a] 6 He even tried to
desecrate our temple, but we arrested him. [7 ][b] 8 If you examine him you
will be able to learn from him for yourself about everything of which we are
accusing him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack and asserted that these
things were so.
10 [c]Then the governor motioned to him to speak and Paul
replied, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years and
so I am pleased to make my defense before you. 11 As you can verify, not more
than twelve days have passed since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12
Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city did they
find me arguing with anyone or instigating a riot among the people. 13 Nor can
they prove to you the accusations they are now making against me. 14 But this I
do admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship
the God of our ancestors and I believe everything that is in accordance with
the law and written in the prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God as they
themselves have that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the
unrighteous. 16 Because of this, I always strive to keep my conscience clear
before God and man. 17 After many years, I came to bring alms for my nation and
offerings. 18 While I was so engaged, they found me, after my purification, in
the temple without a crowd or disturbance. 19 But some Jews from the province
of Asia, who should be here before you to make whatever accusation they might
have against me— 20 or let these men themselves state what crime they
discovered when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 unless it was my one outcry as
I stood among them, that ‘I am on trial before you today for the resurrection
of the dead.’”
22 Then Felix, who was accurately informed about the Way,
postponed the trial, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I shall
decide your case.” 23 He gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in
custody but have some liberty, and that he should not prevent any of his friends
from caring for his needs.
Captivity in Caesarea. 24 [d]Several days later Felix came
with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He had Paul summoned and listened to
him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he spoke about righteousness
and self-restraint and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said,
“You may go for now; when I find an opportunity I shall summon you again.” 26
At the same time he hoped that a bribe would be offered him by Paul, and so he
sent for him very often and conversed with him.
27 Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Porcius
Festus. Wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul in
prison.[e]
Footnotes
24:5 Nazoreans: that is, followers of Jesus of Nazareth.
24:7 The Western text has added here a verse (really Acts
24:6b–8a) that is not found in the best Greek manuscripts. It reads, “and would
have judged him according to our own law, but the cohort commander Lysias came
and violently took him out of our hands and ordered his accusers to come before
you.”
24:10–21 Whereas the advocate Tertullus referred to Paul’s
activities on his missionary journeys, the apostle narrowed the charges down to
the riot connected with the incident in the temple (see Acts 21:27–30;
24:17–20). In his defense, Paul stresses the continuity between Christianity
and Judaism.
24:24, 25 The way of Christian discipleship greatly
disquiets Felix, who has entered into an adulterous marriage with Drusilla,
daughter of Herod Agrippa I. This marriage provides the background for the
topics Paul speaks about and about which Felix does not want to hear.
24:27 Very little is known of Porcius Festus who was a procurator of Judea from A.D. 60 to 62
Source Catholic Bible: New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE)
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