History · Chapter 24 of 28

Acts 24

Five days later Ananias brings the orator Tertullus to accuse Paul before Felix, calling him a plague, a sect ringleader, and a temple-defiler. Paul answers that his accusers cannot prove their charges, confesses he worships God according to the Way, and stakes everything on the hope of resurrection. Felix, knowledgeable about the Way, defers judgment. Later he hears Paul reason on righteousness and self-control; Felix trembles but delays, leaving Paul bound two years.

What happens in Acts 24

The high priest Ananias arrives with elders and a hired orator, Tertullus, who flatters Felix and accuses Paul of being a pestilent troublemaker, a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and a would-be profaner of the temple. Given leave to speak, Paul answers cheerfully, noting he had come to Jerusalem to worship only twelve days earlier and that no one can prove their accusations. He confesses that he worships the God of his fathers according to the Way they call heresy, believing the law and the prophets and holding the hope of a resurrection of both just and unjust.

Felix, who has accurate knowledge of the Way, defers the case until Lysias comes. Later Felix and his wife Drusilla send for Paul and hear him speak of faith in Christ. As Paul reasons of righteousness, self-control, and coming judgment, Felix trembles and dismisses him, hoping for a bribe. Two years pass, and Felix leaves Paul bound.

Acts 24 in context

Antonius Felix governed Judea about AD 52 to 59, a former slave known for cruelty and greed; Drusilla was his third wife, a Jewish princess. The trial at Caesarea follows Roman legal form, with paid rhetoric and formal charges.

'The Way' and 'the sect of the Nazarenes' are early names for the Christian movement. Paul's two-year detention shows justice deferred for political convenience and financial hope.

Main themes of Acts 24

Acts 24 (KJV)

1And 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. 10Then 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. 22And 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.

Verses to carry from Acts 24

“But 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:”Acts 24:14

“And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”Acts 24:15

“And 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.”Acts 24:25

Reflection

Felix felt the truth deeply enough to tremble, yet he filed it away for a better time. How often do we do the same, moved by conviction but postponing surrender? The convenient season rarely comes. What have you been putting off with God? Today, not some imagined later, is the hour to respond.

A prayer from Acts 24