Bible Study/Commentary
Overview of Acts Chapter 24
Paul Before Felix at Caesarea
24 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 detain 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. 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.
Q&A
Acts 24:1-4
Q1: When Paul was brought before Felix the governor, what accusations did the high priest and the elders make against him, as mentioned in Acts 24:1-4?
A1: The high priest Ananias and the elders accused Paul of stirring up riots among the Jews worldwide, being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Acts 24:5-9
Q2: How did Paul respond to the accusations, and what did he affirm about his beliefs and conduct, as mentioned in Acts 24:5-9?
A2: Paul denied the accusations, stating that he had come to bring alms to his nation and to worship. He affirmed his belief in the resurrection and his conduct in always striving to have a clear conscience before God and man.
Acts 24:10-13
Q3: How did Felix respond to Paul's defense, and what did the prosecution insist on, as mentioned in Acts 24:10-13?
A3: Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, kept Paul in custody but allowed him some liberty. The prosecution insisted that Paul was a pest and a troublemaker.
Acts 24:14-16
Q4: What did Paul declare about his faith and hope, as mentioned in Acts 24:14-16?
A4: Paul declared that he worshiped the God of his fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and the Prophets. He had a hope in God that there would be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust and strove to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
Acts 24:17-21
Q5: How did Paul describe his purpose in coming to Jerusalem and his actions in the temple, as mentioned in Acts 24:17-21?
A5: Paul explained that he came to bring alms and offerings to his nation, and he was purified in the temple without any crowd or tumult.
Acts 24:22-23
Q6: How did Felix respond to Paul's case, and what did he instruct the centurion, as mentioned in Acts 24:22-23?
A6: Felix, having a more accurate knowledge of the Way, adjourned the hearing and instructed the centurion to let Paul have some liberty and not to prevent his friends from attending to his needs.
Acts 24:24-27
Q7: What did Felix and his wife Drusilla do regarding Paul, and how did Felix hope to receive a bribe, as mentioned in Acts 24:24-27?
A7: Felix and his wife Drusilla heard Paul speak about faith in Christ. Felix hoped that Paul would offer him a bribe, but after two years, he left Paul in prison to do the Jews a favor.