Acts 24
24
Paul’s Apologia Before Felix
1 And after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an advocate, a certain Tertullus, and made a report of their charges* against Paul to the governor. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Since we have attained much peace through you, and since reforms are taking place in this nation through your foresight,* 3 we acknowledge this both in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. 4 But in order that I may not detain you any further, I implore you to hear us briefly in your forbearance. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague*—setting in motion insurrection among all the Jews throughout the world—and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 6 who even attempted to desecrate the temple, and we seized him.* 8 When you yourself examine him, you will be able to find out from him concerning all these matters* of which we are accusing him.” 9 And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting these allegations* to be so.
10 And when the governor nodded to him to speak, Paul responded, “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I defend myself cheerfully in connection with the matters concerning myself. 11 You may verify that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 And neither did they find me arguing with anyone or agitating a crowd in the temple,* nor in the synagogues, nor throughout the city. 13 Nor can they furnish evidence to you concerning what they are now accusing me of. 14 But I acknowledge this to you, that in accordance with the Way, which they call a sect, so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all things that are in harmony with the Law and that are written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men* also themselves anticipate,* that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 With regard to this also, I myself am striving continually to have a blameless conscience towards God and all men. 17 Now after many years, I came to bring gifts to my people and to present offerings, 18 in which they found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd or with an uproar. 19 But there are some Jews from Asia who ought to appear before you and to level accusations against me, if they have anything against me. 20 Otherwise, let these men themselves say what legal wrongdoing they found when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 other than concerning this one pronouncement which I cried out while standing among them: ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead, I am being judged before you today.’ ”
Felix Grants Paul Restricted Freedom in Custody
22 But Felix, having knowledge of the matters concerning the Way more precisely, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the military tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”* 23 He gave orders to the centurion to keep him in custody, but to have freedom, and in no way to prevent any of his own people from attending to his needs.
Paul Preaches Before Felix
24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him discourse about the faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And while he was reasoning about righteousness and self-control and the judgment that is to come, Felix was alarmed and answered, “Go away for the present; and I will summon you when I have an opportunity.” 26 At the same time, he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. Consequently also, he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 And when two years had been completed, Felix received as successor Porcius Festus. And wanting to do the Jews a favour, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
Notes
1 The phrase of their charges is not found in the Greek text, but is added here for the purpose of clarification
2 Or providence
5 Or pest
6 Some later manuscripts insert at this point the lengthy expression: 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… .
8 Greek things. So also vv. 10, 22
9 Greek these things
12 Or outer courts of the temple. So also v. 18
15 The word men is not found in the Greek text, but is contextually supplied to achieve clarity. So also v. 20
15 Or accept
22 Greek I will decide the things regarding you
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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).
