v.1-21
Paul's Trial Before Felix
v.22-27
Felix keeps Paul in prison
v.1-21
Paul's Trial Before Felix
v.1-9
Accusations made
v.1
Five
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.
v.2
When
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.
v.3
Everywhere
and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with
profound gratitude.
v.4
But
in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be
kind enough to hear us briefly.
v.5,6
“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
sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized
him. [7] [ Some manuscripts include here him, and we
would have judged him in accordance with our law. 7 But
the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence,
8 ordering his accusers to come before you.]
v.8
By
examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about
all these charges we are bringing against him.”
v.9
The
other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things
were true.
v.10-21
Paul's defence
v.10
When
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.
v.11
You
can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up
to Jerusalem to worship.
v.12
My
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.
v.13
And
they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against
me.
v.14,15
However,
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,
and 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.
v.16
So
I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
v.17
“After
an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people
gifts for the poor and to present offerings.
v.18
I
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.
v.19
But
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.
v.20,21
Or
these who are here should state what crime they found in me when
I stood before the Sanhedrin— unless 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.'”
[Passage
Synopsis: The high
priest goes to Caesarea to pursue the case against Paul – a troublemaker
who stirs up the Jews. Paul refutes these charges and maintains
he is ‘a good Jew'.]
v.22-27
Felix keeps Paul in prison
v.22
Then
Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings.
“When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your
case.”
v.23
He
ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him
some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
v.24
Several
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.
v.25
As
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.”
v.26
At
the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe,
so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
v.27
When
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.
[Passage
Synopsis: Paul has
opportunity to talk with Felix in private but Felix becomes convicted
and stops the conversation, leaving him under guard, but occasionally
talking with him. Two years pass with no progress.]