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THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES -
the Sanhedrin, unless it was my one outcry as I stood among them, that ‘I am on trial before you today for the resurrection of the dead.’”h
22Then Felix, who was accurately informed about the Way, postponed the trial, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I shall decide your case.” 23He gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from caring for his needs.
Captivity in Caesarea. 24* Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He had Paul summoned and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25But as he spoke about righteousness and self-restraint and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now; when I nd an opportunity I shall summon you again.” 26At the same time he hoped that a bribe would be o ered him by Paul, and so he sent for him very often and conversed with him.
27Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.*
251Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up 2
Appeal to Caesar.
21
fromCaesareatoJerusalem wherethechiefpriestsandJewish leaders presented him their formal charges against Paul.* They asked him 3as a favor to have him sent to Jerusalem, for they were plotting to kill him along the way. 4Festus replied that Paul was being held in custody in Caesarea and that he himself would be returning there shortly. 5He said, “Let your authorities come down with me, and if this man has done something improper, let them accuse him.”
6After spending no more than eight or ten days with them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the following day took his seat on the tribunal and ordered that Paul be brought in. 7When he appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem surrounded him and brought many serious charges against him, which they were unable
The Romans maintained peace in their empire and improved the standard of living of many peoples. This aqueduct, built in Spain (Segovia, c. A.D. 50) is one example of their building capabilities.
24:24
Paul is caught between two worlds. Felix knows he is guilty of no crime according to Roman law, but he does not want to alienate those who accused Paul, so he continues to hold him in prison. He listens to his teaching, but “became frightened” because Paul’s words of “righteousness and self-restraint and the coming judgment” hit too close to home for him; according to the Jewish historian Josephus, Felix had taken Drusilla from her rst husband in order to marry her.
24:27
Paul is held for two years by Felix before his accusers appeal to Festus, a wily politician who suggests that he be sent back to Jerusalem. Knowing his rights as a Roman citizen, Paul appeals to Caesar, and so Paul is sent to Rome.
CHAPTER 24
h. [24:21] 23:6; 24:15.
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* [24:24, 25] The way of Christian discipleship greatly disquiets Felix, who has entered into an adulterous marriage with Drusilla, daughter of Herod Agrippa I. This marriage provides the background for the topics Paul speaks about and about which Felix does not want to hear.
* [24:27] Very little is known of Porcius Festus who was a procurator of Judea from A.D. 60 to 62.
* [25:2] Even after two years the animosity toward Paul in Jerusalem had not subsided (see Acts 24:27).