Acts 24 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

Paul before Felix

Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down [from Jerusalem to Caesarea] with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus [acting as spokesman and counsel]. They presented to the governor their [formal] charges against Paul.

Act 24:2

Act 24:2After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began the complaint [against him], saying to the governor:

“Since through you we have attained great peace, and since by your foresight reforms are being carried out for this nation,

Act 24:3

Act 24:3in every way and in every place, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.

Act 24:4

Act 24:4“But so that I do not weary you further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.

Act 24:5

Act 24:5“For we have found this man to be a public menace and one who [fn]instigates dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the [heretical] [fn]sect of the Nazarenes.

Act 24:6

Act 24:6“He even tried to desecrate the temple, but we took him into custody [fn][and we intended to judge him by our Law,

Act 24:7

Act 24:7but Lysias the commander came, and with great force took him out of our hands,

Act 24:8

Act 24:8and ordered his accusers to come before you.] By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to determine [the truth about] these things with which we charge him.”

Act 24:9

Act 24:9The Jews also joined in the attack, declaring and insisting that these things were so.

Act 24:10

When the governor nodded for him to speak, Paul answered,

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I make my defense cheerfully and with good courage.

Act 24:11

Act 24:11As you can easily verify, it has been no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

Act 24:12

Act 24:12“Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor elsewhere in the city did they find me carrying on a discussion or disputing with anybody or causing a crowd to gather.

Act 24:13

Act 24:13“Nor can they present evidence to you to prove what they now bring against me.

Act 24:14

Act 24:14“But I confess this to you, that according to [fn]the Way, which they call a [divisive and heretical] sect, I do worship and serve the God of our fathers, [confidently] believing everything that is in accordance with the Law [of Moses] and that is written in the Prophets;

Act 24:15

Act 24:15having [the same] hope in God which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of [the dead], both of the righteous and of the wicked.

Act 24:16

Act 24:16“In view of this, I also do my best and strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men.

Act 24:17

Act 24:17“Now after several years I came [to Jerusalem] to bring to my people charitable contributions and offerings.

Act 24:18

Act 24:18“They found me in the temple presenting these offerings, after I had undergone [the rites of] purification, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor],

Act 24:19

Act 24:19who ought to have been here before you to present their charges, if they have anything against me.

Act 24:20

Act 24:20“Or else let these men tell what crime they found [me guilty of] when I stood before the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court),

Act 24:21

Act 24:21other than for this one statement which I had shouted out as I stood among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

Act 24:22

But Felix, having a rather accurate understanding about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”

Act 24:23

Act 24:23Then he ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to let him have some freedom, and [he told the centurion] not to stop any of his friends from providing for his needs.

Act 24:24

Several days later Felix came with his wife [fn]Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus.

Act 24:25

Act 24:25But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control [honorable behavior, personal integrity], and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I find [a convenient] time I will send for you.”

Act 24:26

Act 24:26At the same time he was also hoping to get money from Paul [as a bribe]; so he continued to send for him quite often and talked with him.

Act 24:27

Act 24:27But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded [in office] by [fn]Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

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AMP Footnotes

(24:5)

Inciting rebellion was a serious crime under Roman law.

(24:5)

The Romans had forbidden the establishment of any new religion.

(24:6)

Early mss do not contain the remainder of v 6, v 7, nor the first part of v 8.

(24:14)

See note 9:2. Paul was probably referring to Jesus Himself.

(24:24)

Youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I.

(24:27)

Festus served about two years as governor (procurator). He was regarded as a fairly capable governor, superior to both his predecessor and his successor.

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