Acts · chapter 24 of 28
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Acts 24 tells how the high priest Ananias and the lawyer Tertullus accuse Paul before the governor Felix in Caesarea. Paul defends himself by saying he stirred up no one and that he believes the law, the prophets and the resurrection. Felix puts him off, talks with him and his wife Drusilla about the faith, becomes afraid when he hears of judgment, and leaves him in prison two years hoping for a bribe.
Acts 24 is the first of Paul's three hearings in Caesarea, before Felix, Festus and Agrippa. The accusations are political and religious, but the real issue is the resurrection and faith in Jesus. The chapter contrasts Paul's integrity with a governor's corruption and fear.
After five days, the high priest Ananias comes down to Caesarea with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they present their case against Paul to the governor Felix. Tertullus begins with praise for Felix and accuses Paul of being a plague, of stirring up riots among the Jews throughout the world, of being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes and of trying to profane the temple.
When the governor motions for him to speak, Paul says it has been only twelve days since he went up to Jerusalem to worship, and they did not find him disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple, the synagogues or the city. He admits that he serves the God of his fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything laid down in the law and the prophets, with a hope in God that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So he always takes pains to have a clear conscience before God and men. He had come to bring gifts, and they found him purified in the temple, with no crowd or uproar. The Jews from Asia, who should accuse him, are not there. He says the only issue is the resurrection of the dead.
Felix, who has a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, adjourns the case until Lysias the tribune comes, and orders that Paul be kept with some liberty. Some days later Felix comes with his wife Drusilla, who is Jewish, and sends for Paul to hear him speak about faith in Christ. As Paul reasons about righteousness, self-control and the coming judgment, Felix becomes alarmed and says for now he may go, and he will call for him when he has an opportunity. He also hoped Paul would give him money, so he often sent for him. After two years Felix is succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, he leaves Paul in prison.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
Paul confesses that he serves the God of his fathers according to the Way, and believes everything in the law and the prophets, with the hope of the resurrection of the just and the unjust. His faith does not break with Israel but fulfills Israel's hope.
Paul takes pains always to have a clear conscience toward God and men. Integrity is the best defense when falsely accused.
Paul speaks to Felix of righteousness, self-control and the coming judgment, and Felix is alarmed and sends him away for now. Paul does not soften the message before a powerful man, and Felix, who needed to hear it, postpones his answer.
Felix hoped Paul would give him money and so sent for him often; later he leaves him in prison to do the Jews a favor. A governor who heard the gospel chose gain and convenience over truth.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: The high priest Ananias, with some elders and the lawyer Tertullus. — Acts 24:1
Answer: Of being a plague, stirring up riots among the Jews, being a ringleader of the Nazarenes and trying to profane the temple. — Acts 24:5-6
Answer: Only twelve days. — Acts 24:11
Answer: That there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. — Acts 24:15
Answer: Faith in Christ, righteousness, self-control and the coming judgment. — Acts 24:24-25
Answer: He hoped for money from him and wanted to do the Jews a favor. — Acts 24:26-27
Felix heard the gospel clearly and was afraid, but he said for now. Many people do not reject Christ outright: they postpone him. In your group, ask whether there is a decision of obedience you are putting off and why. God's now is still today.
Paul, for his part, keeps his conscience clear and his message plain before a governor without yielding. Ask how you can speak truth respectfully to those with power or influence, without softening it or using it as a weapon.
Acts 24 ends with Paul imprisoned two years in Caesarea and a new governor. Acts 25 tells how Festus tries him and how Paul appeals to Caesar, a decision that will take him to Rome.
He was the Roman procurator of Judea, known for his harshness and corrupt character. His wife Drusilla was Jewish. The text says he knew the Way rather accurately, which explains why he neither condemned Paul nor released him.
It was one of the names by which followers of Jesus were known, and it means a way of life. The accusers called it a sect, and Paul answers that he serves the same God of the fathers according to this Way.
The text says Paul spoke of righteousness, self-control and the coming judgment. To a man whose conduct was neither just nor restrained, these topics touched his conscience, but did not lead him to repentance.