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Acts 24
Lexham English Bible

Paul Before Felix at Caesarea Maritima

24 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, all of whom brought charges against Paul to the governor. 2 And when[a] he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him,[b] saying, “We have experienced[c] much[d] peace through you, and reforms are taking place in this nation through your foresight. 3 Both in every way and everywhere we acknowledge this,[e] most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. 4 But so that I may not impose on you for longer, I implore you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. 5 For we have found[f] this man to be a public menace and one who causes riots among all the Jews throughout the Roman Empire[g] and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 6 who even attempted to desecrate the temple, and we arrested him[h].[i] 8 When[j] you yourself examine him[k] you will be able to find out from him[l] about all these things of which we are accusing him.” 9 And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting these things were so.

10 And when[m] the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I[n] know you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I defend myself cheerfully with respect to the things concerning myself. 11 You can ascertain that it has not been more than[o] twelve days since[p] I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 And neither did they find me arguing with anyone or making a crowd develop in the temple courts[q] nor in the synagogues nor throughout the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things[r] to you concerning which they are now accusing me. 14 But I do confess this to you, that according to the Way (which they call a sect), so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all things that are in accordance with the law and that are written in the prophets, 15 having a hope in God which these men also themselves await: that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 For this reason[s] also I myself always[t] do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and people. 17 So after many years, I came to practice charitable giving and offerings to my people,[u] 18 in which they found me purified in the temple courts,[v] not with a crowd or with a disturbance. 19 But there are some Jews from Asia[w] who ought to be present before you and bring charges against me,[x] if they have anything against me, 20 or these men themselves should say what crime they found when[y] I stood before the Sanhedrin,[z] 21 other than concerning this one declaration that I shouted while[aa] standing there before them: ‘I am being judged before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead!’”

Paul Held Awaiting Trial

22 But Felix, because he[ab] understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the military tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”[ac] 23 He ordered[ad] the centurion for him to be guarded and to have some freedom, and in no way to prevent any of his own people[ae] from serving him.

24 And after some days, when[af] Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And while[ag] he was discussing about righteousness and self control and the judgment that is to come, Felix became afraid and[ah] replied, “Go away for the present, and when I[ai] have an opportunity, I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason also he sent for him as often as possible and[aj] talked with him. 27 And when[ak] two years had passed, Felix received as successor Porcius Festus. And because he[al] wanted to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul behind as a prisoner.[am]

Footnotes

  1. Acts 24:2 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had been summoned”)
  2. Acts 24:2 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  3. Acts 24:2 Here this participle (“have experienced”) and the following participle (“are taking place”) have been translated as finite verbs in keeping with English style
  4. Acts 24:2 Or “many years,” with “years” understood
  5. Acts 24:3 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  6. Acts 24:5 Here this participle (“found”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style
  7. Acts 24:5 Literally “the inhabited earth,” but here this is probably rhetorical hyperbole for the Roman Empire, especially since Felix, the Roman governor, is being addressed
  8. Acts 24:6 Literally “whom”
  9. Acts 24:6 Some later manuscripts include the following additional material between v. 6 and v. 8: “and we wanted to judge him according to our law, (24:7) but Lysius the military tribune came and took him from our hands with much violence, (24:8) ordering his accusers to come before you.”
  10. Acts 24:8 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“examine”) which is understood as temporal
  11. Acts 24:8 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  12. Acts 24:8 Literally “whom”
  13. Acts 24:10 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“gestured”)
  14. Acts 24:10 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal
  15. Acts 24:11 Literally “there are not to me more than”
  16. Acts 24:11 Literally “from which time”
  17. Acts 24:12 Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  18. Acts 24:13 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  19. Acts 24:16 Literally “by this”
  20. Acts 24:16 Literally “through everything”
  21. Acts 24:17 Or “nation”
  22. Acts 24:18 *Here “courts” is supplied to distinguish this area from the interior of the temple building itself
  23. Acts 24:19 A reference to the Roman province of Asia (modern Asia Minor)
  24. Acts 24:19 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  25. Acts 24:20 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“stood”)
  26. Acts 24:20 Or “council”
  27. Acts 24:21 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“standing there”) which is understood as temporal
  28. Acts 24:22 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“understood”) which is understood as causal
  29. Acts 24:22 Literally “the case with respect to you”
  30. Acts 24:23 Here this participle (“ordered”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style
  31. Acts 24:23 This could refer to either friends or relatives
  32. Acts 24:24 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
  33. Acts 24:25 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was discussing”)
  34. Acts 24:25 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“became”) has been translated as a finite verb
  35. Acts 24:25 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have”) which is understood as temporal
  36. Acts 24:26 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sent for”) has been translated as a finite verb
  37. Acts 24:27 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had passed”)
  38. Acts 24:27 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“wanted”) which is understood as causal
  39. Acts 24:27 Literally “bound”
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Acts 24
Legacy Standard Bible

Paul’s Trial Before Felix the Governor

24 Now after (A)five days the high priest (B)Ananias came down with some elders, [a]with an [b]attorney named Tertullus, and they [c]brought charges to (C)the governor against Paul. 2 And after Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,

“As we have attained much peace through you—and because by your provision reforms are being carried out for this nation— 3 we welcome this in every way and everywhere, (D)most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I may not weary you any further, I plead with you by your forbearance to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout [d]the world, and a ringleader of the (E)sect of the Nazarenes. 6 And he even tried to (F)desecrate the temple; and [e]then we arrested him. [f][We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7 But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” 9 (G)And 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 answered:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you are able to ascertain the fact that no more than (I)twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 (J)And neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor across the city did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or (K)causing [g]a riot. 13 (L)Nor are they able to prove to you of what they are now accusing me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to (M)the Way, which they call a (N)sect, I do serve [h](O)the God of our fathers, (P)believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, for which (Q)these men are waiting, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 In view of this, (R)I also [i]do my best to maintain always a conscience without fault both before God and before men. 17 Now (S)after several years I (T)came to bring [j]alms to my nation and offerings; 18 in which they found me, having been (U)purified in the temple, without any (V)crowd or uproar. But there were some (W)Jews from [k]Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to (X)make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves tell what wrongdoing they found when I stood before (Y)the Sanhedrin, 21 other than for this one statement which (Z)I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

22 But Felix, having a more accurate knowledge about (AA)the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the [l]commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be (AB)kept in custody and yet (AC)have some rest, and not to prevent any of (AD)his friends from ministering to him.

24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his [m]wife who was a Jewess, and summoned 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 answered, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will call for you.” 26 At the same time, he was also hoping that (AI)money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to summon for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix [n]was succeeded by Porcius (AJ)Festus, and (AK)wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul (AL)imprisoned.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 24:1 Lit and
  2. Acts 24:1 Lit orator
  3. Acts 24:1 Or presented their evidence
  4. Acts 24:5 Lit the inhabited earth
  5. Acts 24:6 Lit also
  6. Acts 24:6 The early mss omit rest of v 6, v 7, and first part of v 8
  7. Acts 24:12 Lit an attack of a mob
  8. Acts 24:14 Lit the ancestral God
  9. Acts 24:16 Lit practice myself
  10. Acts 24:17 Or gifts to charity
  11. Acts 24:18 West coast province of Asia Minor
  12. Acts 24:22 Military leader over 1,000 soldiers
  13. Acts 24:24 Lit own wife
  14. Acts 24:27 Lit received a successor, Porcius Festus
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