Acts 24

Acts 24 shows Paul standing trial before Felix, the Roman governor. The Jewish leaders bring accusations against Paul, but they cannot prove their charges. Paul calmly defends himself and explains that he has done nothing wrong against the Jews, the temple, or Roman law. He also uses the opportunity to testify about his faith in Christ, the resurrection, righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. This chapter shows Paul’s patience, courage, and faithfulness, while also revealing Felix’s weakness and corruption, because he delays justice and keeps Paul in prison for political advantage.

Acts 24:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight,
3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.
5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

Five days later, the high priest Ananias came with the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus to accuse Paul before Felix. Tertullus began with flattery, praising Felix as if he had brought great peace and prosperity. He did this to gain Felix’s favor before presenting the case. Then he accused Paul of being a troublemaker, someone who stirred up unrest among Jews everywhere, and a leader of the “sect of the Nazarenes,” meaning the followers of Jesus. They tried to make Paul look like a political danger to Rome, not just a religious teacher.

Acts 24:6-9 (NKJV)
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.
7 But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,
8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
9 And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.

Tertullus also accused Paul of trying to defile the temple. This was a serious charge, because the temple was deeply important to the Jews. He claimed that the Jews had seized Paul lawfully and that the Roman commander Lysias had interfered violently. But this was a twisted version of what happened, because Paul had actually been attacked by a mob and was in danger of being killed. The Jewish leaders agreed with Tertullus, but they still had no real proof against Paul.

Acts 24:10-13 (NKJV)
10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,
11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

Paul began his defense respectfully. He acknowledged that Felix had judged Jewish matters for many years, so Felix should be able to understand the situation. Paul then pointed out that he had only been in Jerusalem for twelve days, which made it unlikely that he had caused some great movement of rebellion. He also explained that no one found him arguing in the temple, stirring up crowds, or causing trouble in the synagogues or the city. Most importantly, Paul said that his accusers could not prove the charges they were making against him.

Acts 24:14-16 (NKJV)
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Paul openly admitted that he followed “the Way,” which was the name used for the followers of Christ. But he made it clear that this was not rebellion against the God of Israel. He worshiped the God of his fathers and believed the things written in the Law and the Prophets. Paul showed that the gospel was not against the Old Testament, but the fulfillment of what God had revealed. He also testified to the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. Because he believed in the resurrection and the coming judgment, Paul lived carefully, seeking to keep a clear conscience before both God and men.

Acts 24:17-21 (NKJV)
17 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.
19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.
20 Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,
21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

Paul explained that he had come to Jerusalem to bring help and offerings to his people, not to cause trouble. When the Jews from Asia found him in the temple, he was purified and peaceful. He was not leading a mob or creating disorder. Paul also pointed out that the main people who accused him were not even present in court. If they truly had a case, they should have come to testify. Paul then challenged the leaders who were present to say what wrong they had actually found in him. The only real issue was his statement about the resurrection of the dead. This shows that Paul’s trial was not truly about crime, but about his faith and message.

Acts 24:22-23 (NKJV)
22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.”
23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

Felix already had some knowledge of “the Way,” so he understood more than the accusers may have expected. Instead of making a decision, he delayed the case and said he would wait for Commander Lysias to come. Felix did not release Paul, even though there was no clear evidence against him. However, he did allow Paul some freedom while in custody, permitting his friends to visit him and care for his needs. This shows that Felix knew Paul was not a dangerous criminal, but he was still unwilling to act justly.

Acts 24:24-26 (NKJV)
24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”
26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

Later, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and listened to Paul speak about faith in Christ. Paul did not merely try to please Felix. He spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. These topics touched Felix’s conscience, and Felix became afraid. But instead of repenting or responding to the truth, he pushed the message away and said he would listen again at a more convenient time. At the same time, Felix also hoped Paul would offer him money as a bribe. This shows Felix’s divided heart: he was interested enough to listen, convicted enough to fear, but too corrupt and selfish to obey the truth.

Acts 24:27 (NKJV)
27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

Felix kept Paul in prison for two years. When Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus, he still did not release Paul. Instead, he left him bound because he wanted to please the Jewish leaders. This shows Felix’s failure as a judge. He knew Paul was not guilty of any serious crime, yet he chose politics over justice. But even through this delay, God was still in control. Paul remained faithful, and the Lord’s plan to bring him to Rome was still moving forward.