Acts 24 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Acts 24

Paul Before Felix at Caesarea

24:1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain¹ you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.² 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia—19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

Paul Kept in Custody

22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Footnotes

[1] 24:4 Or weary
[2] 24:6 Some manuscripts add and we would have judged him according to our law. 7But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8commanding his accusers to come before you.

Commentary

v1-4: Tertullus, the hired lawyer and orator, brings flattery first. It is one thing to speak respectfully to another, but it is entirely different to flatter so as to gain an advantage.

v5-6: Unfounded allegations and emotive words; Tertullus describes Paul as a troublemaker, stirring up riots, a ringleader of a sect, who tried to desecrate the temple. He indicates that the Jewish authorities seized him, so that they could put him to death; compare John 18.30-31.

We note Tertullus' comment that Paul has stirred up riots "all over the world," an exaggeration perhaps, but also an indication of the impact of the gospel.

v7: He even accuses the Roman commander of great violence, which does not fit what we read.

Here is the way the ungodly speak, and a warning to be careful with our own words; don't cause hurt, or create prejudice with untruth or exaggeration. Words are powerful.

v8-9: The Jews join in agreeing with Tertullus' accusations.

v10: Paul begins his response. Since Felix has been a judge "for a number of years," presumably he will know something of Judaism and, perhaps, of Christianity also.

v11-13: Paul denies the accusations made. It is now 12 days since the events of 21.15.

v14-15: Paul has confidence in the scriptures, which is true of the Jews in general, and he has hope in the resurrection, which is true of Pharisees in particular. Christianity is therefore the logical and true development of Judaism. In the letters, he teaches that we cannot go back into pre-Christian thinking or living.

v16: Having such hope we can live in integrity.

v17-18: Paul had gone to the temple. He had not been for several years, since he had been preaching the gospel elsewhere.

v19-20: Paul observes that the Jews have hired a lawyer to speak for them, effectively embellishing their complaints into a pseudo-legal case. Paul has had repeated conflicts with Jews in Asia, and it seems some where in Jerusalem at the same time as him; but where are they now?

v21: Paul refers also to his statement before the Sanhedrin, which brought them in argument, see 23.9. Is this perhaps their real argument against him?

Paul effectively exposes the Jews' lack of a case.

v22-23: Felix is clearly impressed by Paul, but he fears the Jews, and will not make a decision to release him.

v24-27: Although Felix refers to the commander's expected arrival, surely he did not wait two years! Felix wants to keep his reputation with the Jews. Even so, he grants Paul certain freedoms, and often listened to him speak.