Acts 24 :: New International Version (NIV)

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

Act 24:1Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.

Act 24:2

Act 24:2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.

Act 24:3

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

Act 24:4

Act 24:4But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

Act 24:5

Act 24:5“We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect

Act 24:6

Act 24:6and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.[fn]

Act 24:7

Act 24:7 See Footnote

Act 24:8

Act 24:8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

Act 24:9

Act 24:9The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.

Act 24:10

Act 24:10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.

Act 24:11

Act 24:11You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

Act 24:12

Act 24:12My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.

Act 24:13

Act 24:13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.

Act 24:14

Act 24:14However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,

Act 24:15

Act 24:15and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Act 24:16

Act 24:16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Act 24:17

Act 24:17“After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.

Act 24:18

Act 24:18I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.

Act 24:19

Act 24:19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.

Act 24:20

Act 24:20Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin—

Act 24:21

Act 24:21unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ”

Act 24:22

Act 24:22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.”

Act 24:23

Act 24:23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.

Act 24:24

Act 24:24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.

Act 24:25

Act 24:25As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

Act 24:26

Act 24:26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

Act 24:27

Act 24:27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

See the NIV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NIV Footnotes

(24:6)

Some manuscripts include here him, and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. 7 But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.

(24:7)

(24:8)

BLB Footnotes

(24:7)

Some Greek manuscripts exclude this verse. The NIV related footnote for 24:6 states:
Some manuscripts include here him, and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, ordering his accusers to come before you.

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