ACT 24
24
Paul's Apologia Before Felix
1 Five days later, the high priest Ananias travelled to Caesarea, accompanied by some elders and a professional attorney named Tertullus. They formally presented their accusations against Paul to the governor.
2 When Paul was brought before him, Tertullus began his prosecution:
"Most Excellent Felix, because of your leadership we have enjoyed extended peace, and your wise administration has brought beneficial reforms to our nation.
3 In every place and in every circumstance, we acknowledge these benefits with profound gratitude.
4 However, to avoid taking too much of your valuable time, I respectfully request that you grant us a brief hearing with your characteristic patience.
5 We have discovered that this man is a dangerous troublemaker who incites riots among Jewish communities throughout the entire world. He serves as a ringleader of the Nazarene sect
6 and even attempted to desecrate our temple, which is why we arrested him.*
8 By questioning him yourself, you will be able to verify all these accusations we are bringing against him."
9 The other Jewish leaders joined in the attack, insisting that everything Tertullus said was accurate.
10 When the governor gestured to Paul to speak, he responded: "Because I know you have served as judge over this nation for many years, I am pleased to present my defence before you.
11 You can easily confirm that only twelve days have passed since I travelled to Jerusalem to worship.
12 My accusers never found me engaging in arguments with anyone in the temple courts, nor did they see me stirring up crowds in the synagogues or anywhere throughout the city.
13 They cannot provide any evidence to substantiate the accusations they are now making against me.
14 I will acknowledge this much: I do worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way, which they dismiss as a sect. Yet I believe everything taught in the Law and written by the Prophets.
15 I hold the same hope in God that these men themselves profess—that there will indeed be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16 This conviction motivates me to maintain a blameless conscience before both God and other people at all times.
17 After an absence of several years, I returned to Jerusalem to deliver charitable contributions to my people and to present offerings.
18 While I was ceremonially purified in the temple courts performing these duties, there was no crowd surrounding me and no disturbance of any kind.
19 However, certain Jews from the province of Asia should be here testifying before you if they have any legitimate accusations against me.
20 Alternatively, let these men who are present specify what crime they discovered when I appeared before the Sanhedrin—
21 unless it was simply this one declaration I made while standing among them: 'I am on trial today because of the resurrection of the dead!'"
Felix Grants Paul Restricted Freedom in Custody
22 Felix, who possessed considerable knowledge about the Way, postponed making a decision. He stated, "When Commander Lysias arrives, I will render my judgment in your case."
23 He instructed the centurion to keep Paul in custody but to grant him considerable freedom and to allow his associates to provide for his needs.
Paul Preaches Before Felix
24 Several days later, Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened as he spoke about trusting in Christ Jesus.
25 As Paul discussed righteousness, self-discipline, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and interrupted, "That is sufficient for now. You may leave. When I find a more convenient time, I will send for you again."
26 At the same time, Felix was hoping Paul might offer him a bribe, so he summoned him frequently for conversations.
27 Two full years passed. When Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor, Felix left Paul imprisoned as a political favour to the Jewish leaders.
Notes
6 Verses 6-8 in their extended form represent a significant later interpolation,absent from the earliest textual witnesses. The added text, which reads, and we wanted to judge [him] according to our Law, 7 but Lysius the military tribune came and took him from our hands with much force, 8 ordering his accusers to come to you…. provides narrative elaboration on the intervention of the tribune Lysias to remove Paul from the mob.
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ACT 24: AFINT
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Copyright © 2026 Michael Adeyemi Adegbola. This Scripture text is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
