Bible Reading Plan

Acts 24

Chapter 24

The Accusation against Paul

¹ After five days Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer^[a] named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.^{(a) 2} When 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, ³ we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent^(b) Felix, with utmost gratitude. ⁴ However, so that I will not burden you any further, I beg you in your graciousness to give us a brief hearing. ⁵ For we have found this man to be a plague,^(c) an agitator^(d) among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes! ⁶ He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him [and wanted to judge him according to our law. ⁷ But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, ⁸ commanding his accusers to come to you.]^[b] By examining him yourself you will be able to discern all these things we are accusing him of." ⁹ The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were so.

Paul's Defense before Felix

¹⁰ When 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.^{(e) 11} You are able to determine that it is no more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.^{(f) 12} They 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.^{(g) 13} Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring against me. ¹⁴ But I confess this to you: I worship my fathers' God according to the Way,^(h) which they call a sect, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets.^{(i) 15} And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection,^[c](j) both of the righteous and the unrighteous.^{(k) 16} I always do my best to have a clear conscience^(l) toward God and men. ¹⁷ After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation,^{(m) 18} and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.^{(n) 19} It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. ²⁰ Either let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, ²¹ or 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

²² Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way,^(o) he adjourned the hearing, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." ²³ He ordered that the centurion keep Paul^[d] under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from serving^[e] him.^(p)

²⁴ After 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. ²⁵ Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come,^(q) Felix became afraid and replied, "Leave for now, but when I find time I'll call for you." ²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul.^[f] For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.

²⁷ After two years had passed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus,^(r) and because he wished to do a favor for the Jews,^(s) Felix left Paul in prison.^(t)