Actschapter 24

A.Tertullus Accuses Paul Before Felixvv. 1-9

1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. 2 When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. 3 In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. 4 But in order not to burden you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly. 5 We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 6 and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 7 8 By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.” 9 The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.

B.Paul's Answer: After the Way They Call a Sectvv. 10-21

10 When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense. 11 You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me. 14 I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. 17 After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings. 18 At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia 19 who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”

C.Felix Trembles, Then Leaves Him Bound Two Yearsvv. 22-27

22 Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs. 24 After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.” 26 At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him. 27 After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

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Chapter summary

Before Felix.

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Before Felix. Tertullus's charges; Paul's defense: 'the way which they call heresy.' Two years' detention; Drusilla; Felix hoped for a bribe. 'Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.'

Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary, John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and John Calvin, Commentaries.

Context

History · Luke — Acts overview

A. 1–9 Tertullus Accuses Paul Before Felix
B. 10–21 Paul's Answer: After the Way They Call a Sect
C. 22–27 Felix Trembles, Then Leaves Him Bound Two Years

Top cross-references8 chapters ▾

Acts 247 verses
- Acts 24:1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
- Acts 24:10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
- Acts 24:11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
- Acts 24:12Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
- Acts 24:14I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
- Acts 24:18At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
- Read Acts 24: 1 more there →
Acts 256 verses
- Acts 25:2where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus
- Acts 25:7When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.
- Acts 25:8Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”
- Acts 25:9But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”
- Acts 25:14Since they were staying several days, Festus laid out Paul’s case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison.
- Acts 25:16I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges.
- Read Acts 25 →
Acts 235 verses
- Acts 23:1Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
- Acts 23:2At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.
- Acts 23:6Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
- Acts 23:26Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.
- Acts 23:30When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also instructed his accusers to present their case against him before you.
- Read Acts 23 →
Acts 265 verses
- Acts 26:3especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.
- Acts 26:5They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the strictest sect of our religion.
- Acts 26:6And now I stand on trial because of my hope in the promise that God made to our fathers,
- Acts 26:21For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.
- Acts 26:25But Paul answered, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.
- Read Acts 26 →

4 more chapters this one speaks with

Acts 283 verses
- Acts 28:16When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
- Acts 28:17After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
- Acts 28:22But we consider your views worth hearing, because we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
- Read Acts 28 →
1 Peter 32 verses
- 1 Peter 3:15But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
- 1 Peter 3:16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
- Read 1 Peter 3 →
Acts 212 verses
- Acts 21:18The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.
- Acts 21:26So the next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when their purification would be complete and the offering would be made for each of them.
- Read Acts 21 →
Galatians 22 verses
- Galatians 2:10They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
- Galatians 2:16know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
- Read Galatians 2 →

Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.