Bible Dictionaries
Felix

Holman Bible Dictionary

(fee' lihx) The procurator of Judea at the time Paul the apostle visited Jerusalem for the last time and was arrested there (Acts 23:24 ). Antonius Felix became procurator of Judea in A.D. 52, succeeding Cumanus. He remained in office until A.D. 60, when the emperor Nero recalled him. He is depicted in Acts as a man who listened with interest to Paul's defense but failed to make any decision with regard to the case or with regard to the personal implications of Paul's message. Rather he hoped Paul would pay him a bribe (Acts 24:26 ). Contemporary historians Tacitus and Josephus paint Felix as a brutal, incompetent politician who was finally replaced. Compare Acts 24:27 . See Paul; Roman Empire