Acts 24

King James Version

Full text for Acts Chapter 24

1¶ And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

2And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

3We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

6Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

7But the chief captain Lysias came [upon us], and with great violence took [him] away out of our hands,

8Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

9And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

10¶ Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

11Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

13Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.

17Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

18Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

19Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

20Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

21Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

22¶ And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of [that] way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

23And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let [him] have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

24And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

26He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul is brought before Governor Felix, where the high priest Ananias and orator Tertullus accuse him of sedition, being a ringleader of the Nazarenes, and profaning the temple. Paul defends himself, denying the charges and affirming his worship of the God of his fathers and belief in the resurrection. Felix defers judgment, keeping Paul imprisoned for two years, hoping for a bribe. Ultimately, Felix leaves Paul bound to appease the Jews upon his own succession.

Medium Summary

Five days after his arrival, Paul faces accusations before Governor Felix from High Priest Ananias, elders, and the orator Tertullus. Tertullus flatters Felix before charging Paul as a "pestilent fellow," a "mover of sedition," and a "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" who attempted to profane the temple. Paul, in his defense, denies these specific accusations, stating he was in Jerusalem for worship and has not caused any disturbance. He confesses to worshipping the God of his fathers, believing in the Law and Prophets, and holding to the hope of a resurrection, which his accusers also acknowledge. Felix, possessing some knowledge of "that way," defers the case, granting Paul considerable liberty. Later, Felix and his wife Drusilla hear Paul speak of faith, righteousness, temperance, and judgment, causing Felix to tremble. Despite his fear, Felix frequently sends for Paul, hoping to receive a bribe for his release, ultimately leaving Paul bound for two years when he is succeeded by Festus.

Long Summary

Upon Paul's arrival in Caesarea, after five days, High Priest Ananias, several elders, and the orator Tertullus descend to present their case against him before Governor Felix. Tertullus begins with effusive flattery towards Felix, crediting him with peace and worthy deeds for the nation, before launching into his accusations against Paul. He charges Paul with being a "pestilent fellow," a "mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world," and a "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes." Furthermore, Tertullus alleges that Paul attempted to profane the temple, claiming they would have judged him according to their law had not Chief Captain Lysias intervened and violently taken him away. The assembled Jews assent to these charges, confirming their veracity. Paul, given leave to speak by Felix, cheerfully defends himself, noting Felix's long tenure as a judge. He points out that only twelve days had passed since he came to Jerusalem for worship, making the accusations of widespread sedition implausible. Paul explicitly denies being found disputing or raising up crowds in the temple, synagogues, or city, challenging his accusers to prove their claims. He confesses to worshipping the God of his fathers "after the way which they call heresy," affirming his belief in all things written in the Law and the Prophets. Crucially, Paul declares his hope in God for a resurrection of both the just and unjust, a belief which his accusers themselves acknowledge. He states his purpose in Jerusalem was to bring alms and offerings to his nation, and that he was found purified in the temple without a multitude or tumult. Paul challenges the Jews from Asia who initiated the tumult to appear and present their accusations. He also highlights that his only contentious statement before the council was concerning the resurrection of the dead. Felix, having a more perfect knowledge of "that way" (Christianity), defers the case, stating he would decide when Chief Captain Lysias arrived. He commands a centurion to keep Paul, but to grant him liberty and allow his acquaintances to minister to him. After some days, Felix and his Jewish wife Drusilla send for Paul and hear him speak concerning the faith in Christ. As Paul reasons about righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix is struck with fear and dismisses him, promising to call him at a "convenient season." However, Felix's true motive is revealed: he hoped Paul would offer him money for his release, leading him to send for Paul often and commune with him. After two years, Porcius Festus succeeds Felix, and Felix, desiring to curry favor with the Jews, leaves Paul bound.

Core Concepts

  • Accusation of SeditionPaul is charged by Tertullus with being a "mover of sedition" among Jews worldwide and a "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes," framing his activities as a threat to Roman order and Jewish tradition.
  • Paul's DefensePaul refutes the specific accusations of sedition and temple profanation, asserting his adherence to the God of his fathers and the Law and Prophets, while clarifying his faith in Christ as "the way."
  • The Way/HeresyPaul acknowledges that his faith is called "heresy" by his accusers, but he identifies it as "the way" through which he worships the God of his fathers, emphasizing continuity rather than radical departure.
  • Resurrection of the DeadThis doctrine is a central point of Paul's defense, as he proclaims his hope in the resurrection of both the just and unjust, a belief that both connects him to and distinguishes him from his Jewish accusers.
  • Felix's Corrupt JusticeGovernor Felix defers judgment and keeps Paul imprisoned for two years, not due to lack of evidence, but out of a desire for a bribe and a willingness to appease the Jews.
  • Conscience Void of OffencePaul states his diligent effort to maintain a clear conscience "toward God, and toward men," highlighting his commitment to ethical and spiritual integrity in all his actions.
  • Liberty in ImprisonmentDespite being a prisoner, Paul is granted significant freedom by Felix, allowing him to receive visitors and have his acquaintances minister to him, indicating a degree of Roman leniency.