Acts 24

Paul’s Trial before Felix

1Five days later, Ananias the high priest arrived in Caesarea, accompanied by some Jewish elders and Tertullus, their prosecuting attorney. # 24:1 Or “an orator” or “a public speaker.” He was a professional advocate representing the high priest and Jewish elders. Tertullus means “triple-hardened.” They were brought before the governor to present formal charges against Paul. 2After Paul was summoned, Tertullus accused him, saying, 3“Your Excellency Felix, under the shadow of your wise leadership # 24:3 As translated from the Aramaic, “under your shade” (or “shadow”) or “tent.” we Jews have experienced a long period of peace. Because of your wise foresight, many reforms are coming to pass in our nation because of you, Most Honorable Felix. We deeply appreciate this and thank you very much.

4“So that I won’t weary you with a lengthy presentation, I beg you to hear our brief summary, with your customary graciousness. 5For we have found this man to be a contagious plague, # 24:5 As translated literally from the Greek. The Aramaic is “He is an assassin.” a seditious man who continually stirs up riots among the Jews all over the world. He has become a ringleader of the sect known as the Nazarenes. # 24:5 The word Nazarene means “the branch” or “Scion.” The Aramaic word implies the title of an heir of a powerful family, or one who is victorious (“Jesus, the Victorious”). Believers are now grafted-in branches of his family tree, victorious ones in Christ (Nazarenes). Many modern-day Arabic speakers still use the term Nazarenes when speaking of believers in Jesus. 6He has even attempted to desecrate our temple, which is why we had him arrested. We sought to judge him according to our law, 7but Commander Lysias came with great force, snatched him away from our hands, and sent him here to you. 8He has ordered his accusers to come to you so that you could interrogate him and ascertain for yourself that all these charges we are bringing against him are true.” # 24:8 Verse 7 and parts of vv. 6 and 8 are missing in most reliable Greek manuscripts. They are a part of the Aramaic text and included here.

9All the Jews present joined in the verbal attack, saying, “Yes, it’s true!”

Paul’s Defense before Felix

10The governor motioned that it was Paul’s turn to speak, so he began to answer the accusations.

“Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly respond in my defense. 11You can easily verify that about twelve days ago, I went to Jerusalem to worship. 12No one found me arguing with anyone or causing trouble among the people in the synagogues or in the temple or anywhere in the city. 13They are completely unable to prove these accusations they make against me.

14“But I do confess this to you: I worship the God of our Jewish ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. For I believe everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets. 15And my hope is in God, the same hope that even my accusers have embraced, the hope of a resurrection from the dead of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16That’s why I seek with all my heart to have a clean conscience toward God and toward others.

17“After being away from Jerusalem for several years, I returned to bring to my people gifts for the poor. # 24:17 The Aramaic is “For many years I brought to my people gifts for the poor.” 18I was in the temple, ritually purified and presenting my offering to God, when they seized me. I had no noisy crowd around me, and I wasn’t causing trouble or making any kind of disturbance whatsoever. 19It was a group of Jews from western Turkey # 24:19 Or “Asia” (Minor). who were being unruly; they are the ones who should be here now to bring their charges if they have anything against me. 20Or at least these men standing before you should clearly state what crime they found me guilty of when I stood before the Jewish supreme council, 21unless it’s the one thing I passionately spoke out when I stood among them. I am on trial today only because of my belief in the resurrection of the dead.”

22Felix, who was well acquainted with the facts about the Way, concluded the hearing with these words: “I will decide your case after Commander Lysias arrives.” 23He then ordered the captain to keep Paul in protective custody, but to give him a measure of freedom, he allowed any of his friends to visit him and help take care of his needs.

Paul Speaks to Felix and Drusilla

24Several days later, Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, # 24:24 Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and sister of Agrippa II. As a Jewess, she was likely the source of Felix’s understanding of the Way. who was Jewish. They sent for Paul and listened as he shared with them about faith in Jesus, the Anointed One. 25As Paul spoke about true righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became terrified and said, “Leave me for now. I’ll send for you later when it’s more convenient.” # 24:25 The Aramaic can be translated “When my conscience is clear I will call for you.”

26He expected to receive a bribe from Paul for his release, so for that reason he would send for Paul from time to time to converse with him.

27Two years later, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Before he left office he decided to leave Paul in prison as a political favor to the Jews.

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Acts 24: TPT

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Acts 24

Some Jews Accuse Paul

1Five 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. 2-3Paul 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. 4But I don’t want to take any more of your time. So I will say only a few words. Please be patient. 5This man is a troublemaker. He causes trouble with the Jews everywhere in the world. He is a leader of the Nazarene group. 6-8Also, he was trying to make the Temple unclean, but we stopped him.#24:6-8 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.” You can decide if all this is true. Ask him some questions yourself.” 9The other Jews agreed and said it was all true.

Paul Defends Himself Before Felix

10The 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. 11I went to worship in Jerusalem only twelve days ago. You can learn for yourself that this is true. 12These 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. 13These 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. 15I have the same hope in God that these Jews have—the hope that all people, good and bad, will be raised from death. 16This 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.#24:17-18 cleansing ceremony The special things Jews did to end the Nazirite vow. See “Nazirite” in the Word List. I had not made any trouble, and no one was gathering around me. 19But 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! 20Ask these men here if they found any wrong in me when I stood before the high council meeting in Jerusalem. 21I 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!’”

22Felix 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.” 23Felix 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

24After 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. 25But 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.” 26But 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.

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

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