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New Testament
Acts 24
Paul on Trial Before Felix
241Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They brought formal charges against Paul to the governor.
2When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “We are enjoying a long period of peace because of you, most excellent Felix, and reforms are coming to this nation because of your foresight. 3In every way and in every place, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. 4But in order not to detain you any longer, I beg you in your kindness to give us a brief hearing. 5For we have found this man to be a public menace, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the Nazarene sect. 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him.[] 8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these accusations we are bringing against him.”
9The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.
10When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense. 11You can verify for yourself that it was no more than twelve days ago when I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 12They did not find me arguing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13And they cannot prove to you the accusations they are now making against me.
14“But I do confess to you that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything written throughout the Law and in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God that these men have, that there is going to be a resurrection[] of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16This is the reason I continue to do my best to have a clear conscience toward both God and people.
17“After several years, I came to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18While I was doing these things, they found me ceremonially purified in the temple, without a crowd or disturbance. 19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia who ought to be here before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20Or let these men here state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21unless this is about the one thing I shouted while standing in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
22Then Felix,[] because he was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the proceedings. He said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23He ordered the centurion to guard Paul, but to let him have some freedom and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.
24Several days later, Felix appeared in public with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25While Paul instructed him about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and replied, “Leave me for now, but when it is convenient, I will send for you.” 26At the same time, he was also hoping that Paul would give him money,[] and for this reason he sent for him as often as possible and talked with him.
27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. But because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Footnotes
- 24:6 Some witnesses to the text add and wanted to judge him according to our law. 7 But Lysias the commander came and took him out of our hands with great force, 8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By.
- 24:15 Some witnesses to the text add of the dead.
- 24:22 Some witnesses to the text add when he heard these things.
- 24:26 A few witnesses to the text add in order that he might release him.