Acts 24

The Accusation against Paul

1After five days Ananias # Ac 23:2 the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer # In Gk, the word rhetor is similar to the Eng “rhetoric.” In this situation, a rhetorician who was skilled in public speaking in the Gk language was needed. named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. # Ac 21:27; 23:2,24,30 2When he was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: “Since we enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation by your foresight, 3we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent # Lk 1:3; Ac 23:26; 26:25 Felix, with utmost gratitude. 4However, so that I will not burden you any further, I beg you in your graciousness to give us a brief hearing. 5For we have found this man to be a plague, # Ac 16:20; 17:6 an agitator # Ac 21:28; 26:5; 28:22 among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes! # Mt 2:23; 26:71; Mk 1:24; 10:47; 16:6; Lk 18:37; 24:19; Jn 19:19; Ac 2:22; 3:6; 4:10; 6:14; 22:8 6He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him and wanted to judge him according to our law. 7But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, 8commanding his accusers to come to you. # Other mss omit bracketed text By examining him yourself you will be able to discern all these things we are accusing him of.” 9The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were so.

Paul’s Defense before Felix

10When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me. # Ac 23:24; 1Th 2:16 11You are able to determine that it is no more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. # Ac 21:27; 24:1 12They didn’t find me disputing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple complex or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city. # Ac 25:8; 28:17 13Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring against me. 14But I confess this to you: I worship my fathers’ God according to the Way, # Ac 9:2; 22:4; 24:22 which they call a sect, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets. # Ac 3:13; 26:22; 28:23 15And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection, # Other mss add of the dead # Ac 23:6; 28:20 both of the righteous and the unrighteous. # Dn 12:2; Jn 5:28-29 16I always do my best to have a clear conscience # Ac 23:1; 1Co 4:4; 1Tm 3:9; 2Tm 1:5; Heb 13:18; 1Pt 3:16 toward God and men. 17After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation, # Ac 11:29; Rm 15:25-28; 1Co 16:1-3; 2Co 8:1-4; Gl 2:10 18and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar. # Ac 21:26-27; 26:21 19It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20Either let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21or about this one statement I cried out while standing among them, ‘Today I am being judged before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’ ”

The Verdict Postponed

22Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way, # Ac 9:2; 22:4; 24:14 he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23He ordered that the centurion keep Paul # Lit him under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from serving # Other mss add or visiting him. # Ac 23:35; 27:3; 28:16

24After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. 25Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, # Gl 5:23; Ti 2:12; 2Pt 1:6 Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I find time I’ll call for you.” 26At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. # Other mss add so that he might release him For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.

27After two years had passed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus, # Ac 25:1,4,9; 26:24 and because he wished to do a favor for the Jews, # Ac 12:3; 25:9 Felix left Paul in prison. # Ac 23:35; 25:14

Currently Selected:

Acts 24: HCSB

Highlight

Copy

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

Learn More About Holman Christian Standard Bible

Acts 24

Paul’s Trial in Front of Felix

1Five days later Ananias the high priest went down to Caesarea. Some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus went with him. They brought their charges against Paul to the governor. 2So Paul was called in. Tertullus began to bring the charges against Paul. He said to Felix, “We have enjoyed a long time of peace while you have been ruling. You are a wise leader. You have made this a better nation. 3Most excellent Felix, we gladly admit this everywhere and in every way. And we are very thankful. 4I don’t want to bother you. But would you be kind enough to listen to us for a short time?

5“We have found that Paul is a troublemaker. This man stirs up trouble among Jews all over the world. He is a leader of those who follow Jesus of Nazareth. 6-7He even tried to make our temple impure. So we arrested him. 8Question him yourself. Then you will learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

9The other Jews said the same thing. They agreed that the charges were true.

10The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for quite a few years. So I am glad to explain my actions to you. 11About 12 days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. You can easily check on this. 12Those bringing charges against me did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple. I wasn’t stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13They can’t prove to you any of the charges they are making against me. 14It is true that I worship the God of our people. I am a follower of the Way of Jesus. Those bringing charges against me call it a cult. I believe everything that is in keeping with the Law. I believe everything that is in keeping with what is written in the Prophets. 15I have the same hope in God that these men themselves have. I believe that both the godly and the ungodly will rise from the dead. 16So I always try not to do anything wrong in the eyes of God or in the eyes of people.

17“I was away for several years. Then I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for those who were poor. I also came to offer sacrifices. 18They found me doing this in the temple courtyard. I had already been made pure and ‘clean’ in the usual way. There was no crowd with me. I didn’t stir up any trouble. 19But there are some other Jews who should be here in front of you. They are from Asia Minor. They should bring charges if they have anything against me. 20Let the Jews who are here tell you what crime I am guilty of. After all, I was put on trial by the Sanhedrin. 21Perhaps they blame me for what I said when I was on trial. I shouted, ‘I believe that people will rise from the dead. That is why I am on trial here today.’ ”

22Felix knew all about the Way of Jesus. So he put off the trial for the time being. “Lysias the commanding officer will come,” he said. “Then I will decide your case.” 23He ordered the commander to keep Paul under guard. He told him to give Paul some freedom. He also told him to allow Paul’s friends to take care of his needs.

24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla. She was a Jew. Felix sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25Paul talked about how to live a godly life. He talked about how people should control themselves. He also talked about the time when God will judge everyone. Then Felix became afraid. “That’s enough for now!” he said. “You may leave. When I find the time, I will send for you.” 26He was hoping that Paul would offer him some money to let him go. So he often sent for Paul and talked with him.

27Two years passed. Porcius Festus took the place of Felix. But Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor. So he left Paul in prison.

Currently Selected:

Highlight

Copy

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®

Learn More About New International Reader’s Version