Acts 24
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Paul before Felix at Caesarea
24 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor.(A) 2 When Paul[a] had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Because of you, most excellent Felix, we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight. 3 In every way and everywhere we welcome this with utmost gratitude.(B) 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. 5 We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.[b](C) 6 He even tried to profane the temple, so we seized him.[c](D) 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.(E)
Paul’s Defense before Felix
10 When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied:
“I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this people.(F) 11 As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.(G) 12 They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city.(H) 13 Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me.(I) 14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets.(J) 15 I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of both[d] the righteous and the unrighteous.(K) 16 Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people.(L) 17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my people and to offer sacrifices.(M) 18 While I was doing this, they found me in the temple completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance.(N) 19 But there were some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me.(O) 20 Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council, 21 unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them, ‘It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ”(P)
22 But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.(Q)
Paul Held in Custody
24 Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.”(R) 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him.
27 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.(S)
Footnotes
- 24.2 Gk he
- 24.5 Gk Nazoreans
- 24.6 Other ancient authorities add and we would have judged him according to our law.
But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come before you. - 24.15 Other ancient authorities read of the dead, both of
Acts 24
New American Standard Bible
Paul before Felix
24 Now after (A)five days the high priest (B)Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they [a]brought charges against Paul to (C)the governor. 2 After [b]Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began accusing him, saying to the governor,
“Since we have attained great peace through you, and since reforms are being carried out for this nation by your foresight, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, (D)most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I may not [c]weary you further, I beg you [d]to grant us a brief hearing, by your kindness. 5 For we have found this man a public menace and one who stirs up dissensions among all the Jews throughout [e]the world, and a ringleader of the (E)sect of the Nazarenes. 6 And he even tried to (F)desecrate the temple, so indeed we arrested him.[f] 8 By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we are accusing him.” 9 (G)The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.
10 And when (H)the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than (I)twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 (J)And neither in the temple did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or (K)causing [g]a riot, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself. 13 (L)Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But I confess this to you, that in accordance with [h](M)the Way, which they call a (N)sect, I do serve (O)the God of our fathers, (P)believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which (Q)these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In view of this (R)I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always. 17 Now (S)after several years I (T)came to bring charitable gifts to my nation and to present offerings, 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been (U)purified, without any (V)crowd or uproar. But there were some (W)Jews from [i]Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to have been (X)bringing charges, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else have these men themselves declare what violation they discovered when I stood before (Y)the [j]Council, 21 other than in regard to this one declaration which (Z)I shouted while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today!’”
22 But Felix, [k]having quite accurate knowledge about [l](AA)the Way, adjourned them, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He gave orders to the centurion for [m]Paul to be (AB)kept in custody and yet (AC)have some freedom, and not to prevent any of (AD)his friends from providing for his needs.
24 Now some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his [n]wife, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about (AE)faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing (AF)righteousness, (AG)self-control, and (AH)the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and responded, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that (AI)money would be given to him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and talk with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix [o]was succeeded by Porcius (AJ)Festus; and Felix, (AK)wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul (AL)imprisoned.
Footnotes
- Acts 24:1 Or presented their evidence or case
- Acts 24:2 Lit he
- Acts 24:4 Or impose on
- Acts 24:4 Lit to hear...briefly
- Acts 24:5 Lit the inhabited earth
- Acts 24:6 Late mss add as the remainder of v 6: We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. v 7: But Lysias the commander came along and took him out of our hands with much violence, and the first part of v 8: ordering his accusers to come before you.
- Acts 24:12 Lit an attack of a mob
- Acts 24:14 See John 14:6
- Acts 24:18 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
- Acts 24:20 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 24:22 Lit knowing more accurately
- Acts 24:22 See John 14:6
- Acts 24:23 Lit him
- Acts 24:24 Lit own wife
- Acts 24:27 Lit received as a successor, Porcius Festus
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