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Author: Ron Graham

Book of Acts

Acts 24:1-27
—Verse by verse

This page is a verse by verse study of Acts 24:1-27. These verses describe how Paul was examined by Felix in Caesarea, with Tertullus and the Jews accusing Paul.

Paul examined by Felix in Caesarea.

Acts 24:1-27

¶“1Five days later, Ananias the high priest came down to Caesarea with the elders, and with an orator named Tertullus, who presented the evidence to the governor against Paul. 2And when Paul was summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him. Tertullus said to the governor, 'Under you we enjoy much peace, and by your providence this nation benefits greatly. 3We always, everywhere, acknowledge this with gratitude, most noble Felix. 4Not wishing to weary you further, I plead with you to grant us by your kindness a brief hearing.' ” (Acts 24:1-4).

¶“5Tertullus then said, 'Indeed we have found this man a pest and a trouble maker among all the Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6He also attempted to desecrate the temple. We then arrested him. We intended to judge him according to our law. 7However the commander Lysias fell upon us with much violence and snatched him from our hands, 8ordering his accusers to come before you. So when you examine him yourself, you will be able to know that all our accusations against him are true.' 9At that point the Jews joined in, asserting that these things were so.” (Acts 24:5-9).

¶“10When the governor indicated that Paul should speak, Paul made his reply: 'Knowing that you have served this nation as a judge for many years, I am pleased to make my defense. 11It will not escape your notice that it was only twelve days ago that I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12And my accusers did not find me disputing with anybody or causing unrest either in the temple, or in the city, or in the synagogues. 13Nor can they prove any of the things of which they now accuse me.' ” (Acts 24:10-13).

¶“14'I do however confess to you that I worship the God of my fathers by following the way which they call a sect. I believe all things written in the law and in the prophets, 15and have hope toward God, which they themselves cherish, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16I discipline myself in order to always have a blameless conscience before God and men.' ” (Acts 24:14-16).

¶“17'After many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation. 18While I was thus engaged, certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or uproar. 19They ought to have come here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20Failing that, let those who are present tell you if they found me misbehaving when I stood before the Sanhedrin. 21The only thing they could say is that I stood up and shouted that I was on trial that day because I teach the resurrection of the dead.' ” (Acts 24:17-21).

¶“22And when Felix heard these things, having superior knowledge of that way, he adjourned the hearing with these words: 'When Lysias the commander comes down, I will be able to decide your case.' 23Felix then commanded a centurion to take custody of Paul, but to let him have some liberty and allow his acquaintances to help or visit him.” (Acts 24:22-23).

¶“24Some days later, Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla who was a Jewess. Felix summoned Paul, and listened to him speak about faith in Christ. 25As Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come, Felix trembled. He said to Paul, 'Go your way for the time being; when I find time, I will call for you.' 26Felix also hoped that Paul might give him a bribe for freedom, so he often sent for Paul and talked with him. 27But after two years went by, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Felix, to curry favour with the Jews, left Paul imprisoned.” (Acts 24:24-27).

1 Tertullus Accuses Paul Before Govenor Felix

Verses 1-4

¶ "Five days later, Ananias the high priest came down to Caesarea with the elders, and with an orator named Tertullus, who presented the evidence to the governor against Paul. And when Paul was summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him. Tertullus said to the governor, “Under you we enjoy much peace, and by your providence this nation benefits greatly. We always, everywhere, acknowledge this with gratitude, most noble Felix. Not wishing to weary you further, I plead with you to grant us by your kindness a brief hearing.”" (Acts 24:1-4).

Verses 5-9

¶ "Tertullus then said, “Indeed we have found this man a pest and a trouble maker among all the Jews throughout the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He also attempted to desecrate the temple. We then arrested him. [We intended to judge him according to our law. However the commander Lysias fell upon us with much violence and snatched him from our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you.] So by examining him yourself you will be able to know that all our accusations against him are true.” At that point the Jews joined in, asserting that these things were so." (Acts 24:5-9).

2 Paul Replies in His Own Defense Before Felix

Verses 10-13

¶ "When the governor indicated that Paul should speak, Paul made his reply: “Knowing that you have served this nation as a judge for many years, I am pleased to make my defense. It will not escape your notice that it was only twelve days ago that I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And my accusers did not find me disputing with anybody or causing unrest either in the temple, or in the city, or in the synagogues. Nor can they prove any of the things of which they now accuse me.” " (Acts 24:10-13).

Verses 14-16

¶ "Paul then said, “I do however confess to you that I worship the God of my fathers by following the way which they call a sect. I believe all things written in the law and in the prophets, and have hope toward God, which they themselves cherish, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. I discipline myself in order to always have a blameless conscience before God and men”" (Acts 24:14-16).

Verses 17-21

¶ "Paul continued his defense to the governor: “After many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation. While I was thus engaged, certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or uproar. They ought to have come here before you to object if they had anything against me. Failing that, let those who are present tell you if they found me misbehaving when I stood before the Sanhedrin. The only thing they could say is that I stood up and shouted that I was on trial that day because I teach the resurrection of the dead.” " (Acts 24:17-21).

3 Govenor Felix Reserves Judgment on Paul

Verses 22-23

¶ "And when Felix heard these things, having superior knowledge of that way, he adjourned the hearing with these words: “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will be able to decide your case.” Felix then commanded a centurion to take custody of Paul, but to let him have some liberty and allow his acquaintances to help or visit him." (Acts 24:22-23).

4 Felix Visits Paul to Hear Him Speak of the Way

Verses 24-27

¶ "Some days later, Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla who was a Jewess. Felix summoned Paul, and listened to him speak about faith in Christ. As Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come, Felix trembled. He said to Paul, ”Go your way for the time being; when I find time, I will call for you.“ Felix also hoped that Paul might give him a bribe for freedom, so he often sent for Paul and talked with him. But after two years went by, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Felix, to curry favour with the Jews, left Paul imprisoned." (Acts 24:24-27).

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