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The Jews say bad things about Paul

24 Five days after that, Ananias, the leader of the priests, went to Caesarea. Some important Jews went with him. A man called Tertullus also went with them. He was a lawyer. All these people went to meet with Felix, the ruler. They told Felix what Paul had done. Felix would judge who was right. ² Felix told a soldier to bring Paul to the meeting. Then Tertullus began to speak against Paul. He said, ‘Sir, you have ruled us well for many years. Because of you, our country has had no wars for a long time. You have made new laws that are good for our country. You have thought well about how you should lead us. ³ Everywhere, the people are happy about what you have done. So we want to thank you very much for all these good things. ⁴ I do not want you to sit here for a long time. So I will speak for a short time about our problem. Please be kind to us and listen to me.

⁵ We know that this man brings trouble everywhere. Anywhere in the world that Jewish people live, he makes them angry. Then they all fight each other. He is the leader of a group called the Nazarenes.’ ^{[ a ]}

⁶ ‘He also did bad things in the temple that are against our laws. So we took hold of him. ^{[ b ]} [We wanted to judge him by what our own law says. ⁷ But Lysias, the leader of the soldiers, came to us. He attacked us and he took Paul away from us. ⁸ Then he told us to come and to speak to you about it.] You should ask this man some questions about what he has done. You will find out that what we say against him is true.’

⁹ The other Jews that were there also spoke against Paul. They said, ‘All these things that Tertullus has said are true.’

Paul tells Felix his own story

¹⁰ Then Felix raised his hand towards Paul to show that he should speak. So Paul said to Felix, ‘I know that you have judged the people in this region for many years. So now I am happy to tell you everything. ¹¹ I went to Jerusalem less than 12 days ago. You can check that that is true. I went there to worship God. ¹² When the Jews saw me in the temple, I was not arguing with anyone. I was not causing trouble among Jewish people in their meeting places. Nor did I cause problems in any other places in Jerusalem. ¹³ They have said bad things against me. But they cannot show you that these things are true. ¹⁴ What I do agree is this: I worship the same God that our Jewish ancestors worshipped. But I do this in the Way that Jesus has taught us. These men say that this is not the right way. But I believe in all God's Law that Moses wrote for us. I also believe in the messages that God's prophets have written in the Bible. ¹⁵ I also trust God like these men do. Like them, I believe that people will become alive again after death. God will do this for all people, both good people and bad people. ¹⁶ Because of that, I always try to do what is right. I do not want to do anything bad against God or against other people.

¹⁷ I had not been to Jerusalem for several years. Now I returned there with a gift of some money. I brought it to give to poor people who are Jews, like me. I also wanted to offer sacrifices to God. ¹⁸ I was doing this in the yard of the temple when these men found me. I had obeyed all the rules to make myself clean in front of God. There was no crowd with me. Nobody was arguing or fighting because of me. ¹⁹ But there were some Jews there who had come from Asia. They are the people who caused the trouble. Maybe they have something bad to say against me. They themselves should come here to speak to you about it. ²⁰ Or these men here should tell you what wrong thing I have done. I stood in front of the meeting of the Jewish leaders and they asked me questions. ²¹ When I stood there, I shouted, “I believe that dead people will rise and they will live again. That is the reason why you are judging me today.” They may think that is a wrong thing that I did.’

²² Felix knew much about the Way of the Lord Jesus. He now said that the meeting had finished. He said to Paul, ‘Soon Lysias, the leader of the soldiers, will arrive here. Then I will decide what to do with you.’ ²³ He said to the officer who was holding Paul, ‘Continue to guard this man carefully. But his friends can come and see him. They can help him and they can bring things for him.’

Felix and Drusilla listen to Paul

²⁴ After some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his Jewish wife. He told his soldiers to bring Paul to them. Paul talked to them, and they listened to everything that he said. Paul spoke about how people believed in Jesus, the Messiah. ²⁵ Paul continued to speak for some time. He said, ‘People need to do what is right. They need to stop themselves doing wrong things. One day, God will judge people for how they have lived.’

While Paul talked about these things, Felix became afraid. He said to Paul, ‘You can leave us now. At some time I may want to listen to you again. Then I will ask you to come to me again.’ ²⁶ But Felix also hoped that Paul would give him some money. ^{[ c ]} For that reason he often met with Paul and they talked together.

²⁷ This happened for two years. Felix left Paul in the prison, because he wanted to make the Jewish leaders happy. Then Porcius Festus became the ruler instead of Felix.

Footnotes

24:5 Tertullus wanted Felix to think that Paul was a problem to the Roman authority.
24:6 Part of verses 6, 7 and 8 are not in all copies of the Bible.
24:26 Some rulers wanted people in prison to give them money. Then the rulers would let them go. If the rulers did this, they would not be obeying the law.

Some Jews Accuse Paul

24 Five days later Ananias, the high priest, went to the city of Caesarea. He brought with him some of the older Jewish leaders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They went to Caesarea to make charges against Paul before the governor. ^2-3 Paul was called into the meeting, and Tertullus began to make his accusations.

Tertullus said, “Most Honorable Felix, our people enjoy much peace because of you, and many wrong things in our country are being made right through your wise help. For this we all continue to be very thankful. ⁴ But I don’t want to take any more of your time. So I will say only a few words. Please be patient. ⁵ This man is a troublemaker. He causes trouble with the Jews everywhere in the world. He is a leader of the Nazarene group. ^6-8 Also, he was trying to make the Temple unclean, but we stopped him. ^{[ a ]} You can decide if all this is true. Ask him some questions yourself.” ⁹ The other Jews agreed and said it was all true.

Paul Defends Himself Before Felix

¹⁰ The governor made a sign for Paul to speak. So Paul answered, “Governor Felix, I know that you have been a judge over this nation for a long time. So I am happy to defend myself before you. ¹¹ I went to worship in Jerusalem only twelve days ago. You can learn for yourself that this is true. ¹² These Jews who are accusing me did not find me arguing with anyone at the Temple or making trouble with the people. And I was not making trouble or arguing in the synagogues or any other place in the city. ¹³ These men cannot prove the things they are saying against me now.

¹⁴ “But I will tell you this: I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which these Jews say is not the right way, and I believe everything that is taught in the Law of Moses and all that is written in the books of the prophets. ¹⁵ I have the same hope in God that these Jews have—the hope that all people, good and bad, will be raised from death. ¹⁶ This is why I always try to do what I believe is right before God and before everyone.

^17-18 “I was away from Jerusalem for many years. I went back there to take money to help my people. I also had some gifts to offer at the Temple. I was doing this when some Jews saw me there. I had finished the cleansing ceremony. ^{[ b ]} I had not made any trouble, and no one was gathering around me. ¹⁹ But some Jews from Asia were there. They should be here, standing before you. If I have really done anything wrong, they are the ones who should accuse me. They were there! ²⁰ Ask these men here if they found any wrong in me when I stood before the high council meeting in Jerusalem. ²¹ I did say one thing when I stood before them and shouted, ‘You are judging me today because I believe that people will rise from death!’”

²² Felix already understood a lot about the Way. He stopped the trial and said, “When commander Lysias comes here, I will decide what to do with you.” ²³ Felix told the army officer to keep Paul guarded but to give him some freedom and to let his friends bring whatever he needed.

Paul Speaks to Felix and His Wife

²⁴ After a few days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jew. Felix asked for Paul to be brought to him. He listened to Paul talk about believing in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ But Felix became afraid when Paul spoke about things like doing right, self-control, and the judgment that will come in the future. He said, “Go away now. When I have more time, I will call for you.” ²⁶ But Felix had another reason for talking with Paul. He hoped Paul would pay him a bribe, so he sent for Paul often and talked with him.

²⁷ But after two years, Porcius Festus became governor. So Felix was no longer governor. But he left Paul in prison to please the Jews.

Footnotes

Acts 24:6 Some Greek copies add 6b-8a: “And we wanted to judge him by our own law. ⁷ But the officer Lysias came and used great force to take him from us. ⁸ And Lysias ordered those who wanted to accuse him to come to you.”
Acts 24:17 cleansing ceremony The special things Jews did to end the Nazirite vow. See “ Nazirite ” in the Word List.

24 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

² And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

³ We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

⁴ Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

⁵ For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

⁶ Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

⁷ But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

⁸ Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

⁹ And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

¹⁰ Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

¹¹ Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

¹² And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

¹³ Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

¹⁴ But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

¹⁵ And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

¹⁶ And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.

¹⁷ Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

¹⁸ Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

¹⁹ Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

²⁰ Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

²¹ Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

²² And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

²³ And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

²⁴ And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

²⁵ And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

²⁶ He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

²⁷ But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

Paul before Felix

24 Now after ^{( A )} five days the high priest ^{( B )} Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they ^{[ a ]} brought charges against Paul to ^{( C )} the governor. ² After ^{[ b ]} Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began accusing him, saying to the governor ,

“Since we have attained great peace through you, and since reforms are being carried out for this nation by your foresight, ³ we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, ^{( D )} most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. ⁴ But, that I may not ^{[ c ]} weary you further, I beg you ^{[ d ]} to grant us a brief hearing, by your kindness. ⁵ For we have found this man a public menace and one who stirs up dissensions among all the Jews throughout ^{[ e ]} the world, and a ringleader of the ^{( E )} sect of the Nazarenes. ⁶ And he even tried to ^{( F )} desecrate the temple, so indeed we arrested him. ^{[ f ]} ⁸ By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we are accusing him.” ⁹ ^{( G )} The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

¹⁰ And when ^{( H )} the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, ¹¹ since you can take note of the fact that no more than ^{( I )} twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ¹² ^{( J )} And neither in the temple did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or ^{( K )} causing ^{[ g ]} a riot, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself . ¹³ ^{( L )} Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. ¹⁴ But I confess this to you, that in accordance with ^{[ h ]} ^{( M )} the Way, which they call a ^{( N )} sect, I do serve ^{( O )} the God of our fathers, ^{( P )} believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets; ¹⁵ having a hope in God, which ^{( Q )} these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. ¹⁶ In view of this ^{( R )} I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always. ¹⁷ Now ^{( S )} after several years I ^{( T )} came to bring charitable gifts to my nation and to present offerings, ¹⁸ in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been ^{( U )} purified, without any ^{( V )} crowd or uproar. But there were some ^{( W )} Jews from ^{[ i ]} Asia— ¹⁹ who ought to have been present before you and to have been ^{( X )} bringing charges, if they should have anything against me. ²⁰ Or else have these men themselves declare what violation they discovered when I stood before ^{( Y )} the ^{[ j ]} Council, ²¹ other than in regard to this one declaration which ^{( Z )} I shouted while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today!’”

²² But Felix, ^{[ k ]} having quite accurate knowledge about ^{[ l ]} ^{( AA )} the Way, adjourned them, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ He gave orders to the centurion for ^{[ m ]} Paul to be ^{( AB )} kept in custody and yet ^{( AC )} have some freedom, and not to prevent any of ^{( AD )} his friends from providing for his needs.

²⁴ Now some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his ^{[ n ]} wife, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about ^{( AE )} faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ But as he was discussing ^{( AF )} righteousness, ^{( AG )} self-control, and ^{( AH )} the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and responded, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping that ^{( AI )} money would be given to him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and talk with him. ²⁷ But after two years had passed, Felix ^{[ o ]} was succeeded by Porcius ^{( AJ )} Festus; and Felix, ^{( AK )} wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul ^{( AL )} imprisoned.

Footnotes

Acts 24:1 Or presented their evidence or case
Acts 24:2 Lit he
Acts 24:4 Or impose on
Acts 24:4 Lit to hear...briefly
Acts 24:5 Lit the inhabited earth
Acts 24:6 Late mss add as the remainder of v 6: We wanted to judge him according to our own Law . v 7: But Lysias the commander came along and took him out of our hands with much violence , and the first part of v 8: ordering his accusers to come before you .
Acts 24:12 Lit an attack of a mob
Acts 24:14 See John 14:6
Acts 24:18 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
Acts 24:20 Or Sanhedrin
Acts 24:22 Lit knowing more accurately
Acts 24:22 See John 14:6
Acts 24:23 Lit him
Acts 24:24 Lit own wife
Acts 24:27 Lit received as a successor, Porcius Festus

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias ^{( A )} went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges ^{( B )} against Paul before the governor. ^{( C )} ² When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. ³ Everywhere and in every way, most excellent ^{( D )} Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. ⁴ But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

⁵ “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots ^{( E )} among the Jews ^{( F )} all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene ^{( G )} sect ^{( H )} ⁶ and even tried to desecrate the temple; ^{( I )} so we seized him. ^[7] ^{[ a ]} ⁸ By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

⁹ The other Jews joined in the accusation, ^{( J )} asserting that these things were true.

¹⁰ When the governor ^{( K )} motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. ¹¹ You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ^{( L )} ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ¹² My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, ^{( M )} or stirring up a crowd ^{( N )} in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. ¹³ And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. ^{( O )} ¹⁴ However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors ^{( P )} as a follower of the Way, ^{( Q )} which they call a sect. ^{( R )} I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, ^{( S )} ¹⁵ and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection ^{( T )} of both the righteous and the wicked. ^{( U )} ¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear ^{( V )} before God and man.

¹⁷ “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor ^{( W )} and to present offerings. ¹⁸ I was ceremonially clean ^{( X )} when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. ^{( Y )} ¹⁹ But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, ^{( Z )} who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. ^{( AA )} ²⁰ Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— ²¹ unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’” ^{( AB )}

²² Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, ^{( AC )} adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” ²³ He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard ^{( AD )} but to give him some freedom ^{( AE )} and permit his friends to take care of his needs. ^{( AF )}

²⁴ Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. ^{( AG )} ²⁵ As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control ^{( AH )} and the judgment ^{( AI )} to come, Felix was afraid ^{( AJ )} and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

²⁷ When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, ^{( AK )} but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, ^{( AL )} he left Paul in prison. ^{( AM )}

Footnotes

Acts 24:7 Some manuscripts include here him, and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. ⁷ But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, ⁸ ordering his accusers to come before you.

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Table of Contents

The Jews say bad things about Paul

Paul tells Felix his own story

Felix and Drusilla listen to Paul

Footnotes

Some Jews Accuse Paul

Paul Defends Himself Before Felix

Paul Speaks to Felix and His Wife

Footnotes

Paul before Felix

Footnotes

Cross references

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

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Cross references

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BibleStudyIt Acts 24

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The Jews say bad things about Paul

Paul tells Felix his own story

Felix and Drusilla listen to Paul

Footnotes

Some Jews Accuse Paul

Paul Defends Himself Before Felix

Paul Speaks to Felix and His Wife

Footnotes

Paul before Felix

Footnotes

Cross references

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

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Cross references

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