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Complete Jewish Bible

Acts 24:27

After two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; but because Felix wanted to grant the Judeans a favor, he left Sha'ul still a prisoner.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Court;   Demagogism;   Felix;   Festus;   Judge;   Opinion, Public;   Paul;   Readings, Select;   Thompson Chain Reference - Festus;   Injustice;   Justice-Injustice;   Men-Pleasers;   Pleasing Men;   Popularity Sought;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Injustice;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Caesarea;   Felix;   Festus, Portius;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Caesarea;   Felix;   Gospels;   Luke;   Luke, gospel of;   Paul;   Philippians, letter to the;   Timothy;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Luke-Acts, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Ordination;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Caesarea;   Festus, Porcius;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Caesarea;   Moses;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Felix;   Festus;   Governor;   Grace;   Procurator;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Acts of the Apostles;   Chronology of the New Testament;   Justice;   Latin;   Luke, Gospel According to;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Dates;   Festus;   Paul;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Felix ;   First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians Written;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Felix;   Festus;   Roman empire;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Fe'lix;   Fes'tus, Por'cius;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Festus;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Acts of the Apostles;   Chronology of the New Testament;   Drusilla;   Felix;   Festus;   Paul, the Apostle;   Philippians, the Epistle to;   Pleasure;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Cæsarea;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.
King James Version (1611)
But after two yeeres, Portius Festus came into Felix roome: and Felix willing to shew the Iewes a pleasure, left Paul bound.
King James Version
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
English Standard Version
When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
New American Standard Bible
But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul imprisoned.
New Century Version
But after two years, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus as governor. But Felix had left Paul in prison to please the Jews.
Amplified Bible
But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded [in office] by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
Legacy Standard Bible
But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
Berean Standard Bible
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Contemporary English Version
Two years later Porcius Festus became governor in place of Felix. But since Felix wanted to do the Jewish leaders a favor, he kept Paul in jail.
Darby Translation
But when two years were completed, Felix was relieved by Porcius Festus as his successor; and Felix, desirous to oblige the Jews, to acquire their favour, left Paul bound.
Easy-to-Read Version
But after two years, Porcius Festus became governor. So Felix was no longer governor. But he left Paul in prison to please the Jews.
Geneva Bible (1587)
When two yeeres were expired, Porcius Festus came into Felix roume: and Felix willing to get fauour of the Iewes, left Paul bound.
George Lamsa Translation
And when he had completed two years, another governor succeeded him whose name was Por''ci-us Fes''tus: and Fe''lix, to do the Jews a favor, left Paul a prisoner.
Good News Translation
After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor. Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews so he left Paul in prison.
Lexham English Bible
And when two years had passed, Felix received as successor Porcius Festus. And because he wanted to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul behind as a prisoner.
Literal Translation
But two years being completed, Felix welcomed a successor, Porcius Festus. And wishing to show a favor to the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.
American Standard Version
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Bible in Basic English
But after two years Porcius Festus took the place of Felix, who, desiring to have the approval of the Jews, kept Paul in chains.
Hebrew Names Version
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Yehudim, Felix left Sha'ul in bonds.
International Standard Version
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Since Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.Exodus 23:2; Acts 12:3;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And when two years were fulfilled to him, another governor came in his place, who was called Porcios Festos. But Felix, as to do a favour to the Jihudoyee, left Paulos bound.
Murdock Translation
And when two years were fulfilled to him, another governor, whose name was Porcius Festus, came into his place. And Felix, that he might do the Jews a favor, left Paul a prisoner.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But after two yere, Porcius Festus came into Felix rowme: And Felix wyllyng to shewe the Iewes a pleasure, left Paul bounde.
English Revised Version
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favour with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
World English Bible
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But after two years, Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus: and Felix desiring to gratify the Jews, left Paul bound.
Weymouth's New Testament
But after the lapse of fully two years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and being desirous of gratifying the Jews, Felix left Paul still in prison.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And whanne twei yeeris weren fillid, Felix took a successoure, Porcius Festus; and Felix wolde yyue grace to Jewis, and lefte Poul boundun.
Update Bible Version
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Webster's Bible Translation
But after two years Porcius Festus came as successor to Felix: and Felix willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
New English Translation
After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
New King James Version
But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
New Living Translation
After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.
New Life Bible
After two years Porcius Festus became leader of the people instead of Felix. Felix wanted to please the Jews so he kept Paul in prison.
New Revised Standard
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
When, however, two years, were completed, Felix, was succeeded, by Porcius Festus, and Felix, wishing to gain favour with the Jews, left Paul bound.
Douay-Rheims Bible
But when two years were ended, Felix had for successor Portius Festus. And Felix being willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Revised Standard Version
But when two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But after two yeare Festus Porcius came into Felix roume. And Felix willinge to shewe ye Iewes a pleasure lefte Paul in preson bounde.
Young's Literal Translation
and two years having been fulfilled, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus; Felix also willing to lay a favour on the Jews, left Paul bound.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But after two yeares came Portius Festus in to felix rowme. Yet Felix wyllinge to shewe the Iewes a pleasure, left Paul bounde.
Mace New Testament (1729)
offer'd him mony in order to obtain his discharge. but two years after he was succeeded by Porcius Festus, who to oblige the Jews left Paul under confinement.
THE MESSAGE
After two years of this, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus. Still playing up to the Jews and ignoring justice, Felix left Paul in prison.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Two years went by, and Felix was finally replaced with Porcius Festus. Felix hadn't wanted the Jews to say anything bad about him, so he'd left Paul locked up the whole time.

Contextual Overview

22 But Felix, who had rather detailed knowledge of things connected with the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." 23 He ordered the captain to keep Sha'ul in custody, but to let him have considerable liberty and not prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs. 24 After some days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Sha'ul and listened to him as he spoke about trusting in the Messiah Yeshua. 25 But when Sha'ul began to discuss righteousness, self-control and the coming Judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "For the time being, go away! I will send for you when I get a chance." 26 At the same time, he hoped that Sha'ul would offer him a bribe; so he sent for him rather often and kept talking with him. 27 After two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; but because Felix wanted to grant the Judeans a favor, he left Sha'ul still a prisoner.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

two: Acts 28:30

Porcius Festus: Porcius Festus was put into the government of Judea in the sixth or seventh year of Nero. He died about two years afterwards, and was succeeded by Albinus. Acts 25:1, Acts 26:24, Acts 26:25, Acts 26:32

willing: Acts 12:3, Acts 25:9, Acts 25:14, Exodus 23:2, Proverbs 29:25, Mark 15:15, Luke 23:24, Luke 23:25, Galatians 1:10

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 37:21 - Thus Daniel 6:16 - the king Matthew 27:2 - bound Matthew 27:15 - General Mark 15:6 - General Luke 3:1 - Pontius Pilate Acts 12:11 - all Acts 21:11 - So shall Acts 24:2 - Seeing 2 Corinthians 6:5 - imprisonments 2 Corinthians 11:23 - in prisons Hebrews 11:36 - bonds

Cross-References

Genesis 9:26
Then he said, "Blessed be Adonai , the God of Shem; Kena‘an will be their servant.
Genesis 13:8
Avram said to Lot, "Please, let's not have quarreling between me and you, or between my herdsmen and yours, since we're kinsmen.
Genesis 14:20
and blessed be El ‘Elyon, who handed your enemies over to you." Avram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 24:4
but that you will go to my homeland, to my kinsmen, to choose a wife for my son Yitz'chak."
Genesis 24:10
(iii) Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and all kinds of gifts from his master, got up and went to Aram-Naharayim, to Nachor's city.
Genesis 24:11
Toward evening, when the women go out to draw water, he had the camels kneel down outside the city by the well.
Genesis 24:12
He said, " Adonai , God of my master Avraham, please let me succeed today; and show your grace to my master Avraham.
Genesis 24:13
Here I am, standing by the spring, as the daughters of the townsfolk come out to draw water.
Genesis 24:18
"Drink, my lord," she replied, and immediately lowered her jug onto her arm and let him drink.
Genesis 24:19
When she was through letting him drink, she said, "I will also draw water for your camels until they have drunk their fill."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But after two years,.... Not of Felix's government, for he had been judge many years in that nation, but of the apostle's confinement at Caesarea:

Porcius Festus came in Felix's room; was made governor of Judea by Nero in his stead; who having had many and loud complaints against him for malpractice, moved him: and so Josephus f says, that Festus succeeded Felix in the government of Judea, and calls him as here, Porcius Festus; in the Arabic version he is called Porcinius Festus, and in the Vulgate Latin version Portius Festus, but his name was not Portius, from "porta", a gate, but "Porcius", a porcis, from hogs; it was common with the Romans to take names from the brute creatures; so Suillius from swine, Caprarius and Caprilius from goats, Bubulcus from oxen, and Ovinius from sheep. The famous Cato was of the family of the Porcii; his name was M. Porcius Cato, and came from Tusculum, a place about twelve miles from Rome, where there is a mountain which still retains the name of Porcius; we read also of Porcius Licinius, a Latin poet, whose fragments are still extant; whether this man was of the same family is not certain, it is very likely he might: his surname Festus signifies joyful and cheerful, as one keeping a feast; this was a name common with the Romans, as Rufus Festus, Pompeius Festus, and others:

and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound; he had done many injuries to their persons and properties, he had greatly abused them, and incensed them against him; and now he was sent for to Rome, to answer for his maladministration; wherefore, to gratify the Jews, and to oblige them, in hopes that they would not follow him with charges and accusations, at least would mitigate them, and not bear hard upon him, he leaves Paul bound at Caesarea, when it was in his power to have loosed him, and who he knew was an innocent person: but this piece of policy did him no service, for the persons he had wronged, the chief of the Jews at Caesarea, went to Rome, and accused him to Caesar; and he was sent by his successor thither, to appear before Nero, and answer to the charges exhibited against him; and had it not been for his brother Pallas, who was in great authority at court, he had been severely punished g.

f De Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 14. sect. 1. & Antiqu. l. 20. c. 7. sect. 9. g Joseph. Antiqu. l. 20. c. 7. sect. 9.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

But after two years - Paul was unjustly detained during all this time. The hope of Felix seems to have been to weary his patience, and induce him to purchase his freedom.

Came into Felix’ room - As governor.

And Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure - Desirous of pleasing them, even at the expense of justice, This shows the principle on which he acted.

Left Paul bound - Left him in custody to the charge of his successor. His object in this was to conciliate the Jews; that is, to secure their favor, and to prevent them, if possible, from accusing him for the evils of his administration before the emperor. The account which Luke gives here coincides remarkably with what Josephus has given. He says that Porcius Festus was sent as successor to Felix by Nero. He does not, indeed, mention Paul, or say that Felix sought to conciliate the favor of the Jews, but he gives such an account as to make the statement by Luke perfectly consistent with his character while in office. He informs us that Felix was unpopular, and that there was reason to apprehend that the Jews would accuse him before the emperor; and, therefore, the statement in the Acts that he would be willing to show the Jews a favor, is in perfect keeping with his character and circumstances, and is one of those undesigned coincidences which show that the author of the Acts was fully acquainted with the circumstances of the time and that his history is true.

The account in Josephus is, that “when Porcius Festus was sent as successor to Felix by Nero, the principal inhabitants of Caesarea went up to Rome to accuse Felix; and he had been certainly brought to punishment unless Nero had yielded to the importunate solicitations of his brother Palias, who was at that time had in the greatest honor by him” (Antiq., book 20, chapter 8, section 9). The plan of Felix, therefore, in suppressing the enmity of the Jews, and conciliating their favor by injustice to Paul, did not succeed, and is one of those instances, so numerous in the world, where a man gains nothing by wickedness. He sought money from Paul by iniquity, and failed; he sought by injustice to obtain the favor of the Jews, and failed in that also. And the inference from the whole transaction is, that “honesty is the best policy,” and that men in any office should pursue a course of firm, constant, and undeviating integrity.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Acts 24:27. After two years — That is, from the time that Paul came prisoner to Caesarea.

Porcius Festus — This man was put into the government of Judea about A.D. 60, the sixth or seventh year of Nero. In the succeeding chapter we shall see the part that he took in the affairs of St. Paul.

Willing to show the Jews a pleasure — As he had not got the money which he expected, he hoped to be able to prevent the complaints of the Jews against his government, by leaving Paul, in some measure, in their hands. For it was customary for governors, c., when they left, or were removed from a particular district or province, to do some public, beneficent act, in order to make themselves popular. But Felix gained nothing by this: the Jews pursued him with their complaints against his administration, even to the throne of the emperor. Josephus states the matter thus: "Now when Porcius Festus was sent as successor to Felix, by Nero, the principal of the Jewish inhabitants of Caesarea went up to Rome, to accuse Felix. And he certainly would have been brought to punishment, had not Nero yielded to the importunate solicitations of his brother Pallas, who was at that time in the highest reputation with the emperor."-Antiq. lib. xx. cap. 9. Thus, like the dog in the fable, by snatching at the shadow, he lost the substance. He hoped for money from the apostle, and got none he sought to conciliate the friendship of the Jews, and miscarried. Honesty is the best policy: he that fears God need fear nothing else. Justice and truth never deceive their possessor.

1. Envy and malice are indefatigable, and torment themselves in order to torment and ruin others. That a high priest, says pious Quesnel, should ever be induced to leave the holy city, and the functions of religion, to become the accuser of an innocent person; this could be no other than the effect of a terrible dereliction, and the punishment of the abuse of sacred things.

2. Tertullus begins his speech with flattery, against which every judge should have a shut ear; and then he proceeds to calumny and detraction. These generally succeed each other. He who flatters you, will in course calumniate you for receiving his flattery. When a man is conscious of the uprightness of his cause, he must know that to attempt to support it by any thing but truth tends directly to debase it.

3. The resurrection of the body was the grand object of the genuine Christian's hope; but the ancient Christians only hoped for a blessed resurrection on the ground of reconciliation to God through the death of his Son. In vain is our hope of glory, if we have not got a meetness for it. And who is fit for this state of blessedness, but he whose iniquity is forgiven, whose sin is covered, and whose heart is purified from deceit and guile!

4. We could applaud the lenity shown to St. Paul by Felix, did not his own conduct render his motives for this lenity very suspicious. "To think no evil, where no evil seems," is the duty of a Christian; but to refuse to see it, where it most evidently appears, is an imposition on the understanding itself.

5. Justice, temperance, and a future judgment, the subjects of St. Paul's discourse to Felix and Drusilla, do not concern an iniquitous judge alone; they are subjects which should affect and interest every Christian; subjects which the eye should carefully examine, and which the heart should ever feel. Justice respects our conduct in life, particularly in reference to others: temperance, the state and government of our souls, in reference to God. He who does not exercise himself in these has neither the form nor the power of godliness; and consequently must be overwhelmed with the shower of Divine wrath in the day of God's appearing, Many of those called Christians, have not less reason to tremble at a display of these truths than this heathen.


 
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