1And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. (Ac 21:18; Ac 21:27; Ac 23:2; Ac 23:24; Ac 24:11)2And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, (Lu 1:3; Ac 23:26)3in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.4But, to detain[1] you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.5For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. (Lu 23:2; Ac 5:17; Ac 15:5; Ac 24:14; Ac 26:5; Ac 28:22)6He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.[2] (Ac 21:27)8By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”9The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.10And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.11You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, (Joh 12:20; Ac 8:27; Ac 20:16; Ac 24:1)12and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. (Ac 25:8)13Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. (Ac 25:7)14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, (Lu 1:74; Ac 3:13; Ac 9:2; Ac 22:3; Ac 24:5; Ac 24:22; Ac 26:22; Ac 27:23; Ac 28:23; Ro 1:9; Ro 3:21; 2Ti 1:3; Heb 9:14; Heb 12:28)15having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. (Da 12:2; Lu 14:14; Ac 23:6; Ga 5:5; Tit 2:13)16So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. (Ac 23:1; 1Co 10:32; Php 1:10; 1Ti 4:7; 1Ti 4:15; Jud 1:24)17Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. (Ac 20:16; Ac 20:31; Ac 24:11; Ac 26:4; Ac 28:19; Ro 15:25; Ro 15:31; 1Co 16:1; 2Co 8:1; 2Co 9:1; 2Co 9:12; Ga 2:10)18While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— (Ac 21:26; Ac 21:27; Ac 26:21)19they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. (Ac 23:30)20Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,21other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’” (Ac 23:6)
Paul Kept in Custody
22But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” (Ac 9:2; Ac 24:14)23Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. (Ac 27:3; Ac 28:16)24After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. (Ac 20:21; Ro 3:24; Ga 2:16)25And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” (Ac 17:32; 2Ti 4:2; Tit 2:12)26At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. (Ac 24:17)27When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. (Mr 15:15; Lu 21:12; Ac 12:3; Ac 25:1; Ac 25:9; Ac 25:14; Ac 26:24)
Acts 24
New International Version
Paul’s trial before Felix
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.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.3Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.4But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.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 sect6-7and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.[1]8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.’9The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.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 defence.11You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.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.13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.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,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.16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.17‘After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.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.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.20Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin –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.” ’22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. ‘When Lysias the commander comes,’ he said, ‘I will decide your case.’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.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.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.’26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favour to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.