Paul was sent to Caesarea for safety and a fair trial in chapter 23. Here in chapter 24, under the protection of Governor Felix, Paul remains imprisoned for 2 more years. Let’s take a look.
1) V1-9 – 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. 5We 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 6and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him [7…and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, ordering his accusers to come before you.]. 8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.” 9The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
Five days after Paul’s arrival in Caesarea, the Sanhedrin came with Tertullus, a hired lawyer / orator, to carry out the case against Paul (v2). Tertullus eloquently buttered up the governor (v2-5) and made meaningless accusations against Paul, with the exception of “temple desecration.” For that, Paul could be executed, which is what the Jews wanted and why they joined in Tertullus’ accusation. Also, Tertullus – if v7 is a legitimate inclusion – seems to place some blame on the whole thing on Lysias and the Romans.
2) V10-21 – 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 defense. 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 fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God as these men, 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. 17After 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.’”
Paul defended himself against the charges of Tertullus and the Jews. He first acknowledges Felix’s authority (v10) but refuses to butter him up the way Tertullus did (v2-5). Paul points to the facts (v11-13) of his innocence, but does admit to worshipping the God of the Jews as a Christian (v14-16), having the same hope of resurrection that the Pharisees have; Paul is not ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16)! He also retells the story of his arrest, again claiming innocence in every way (v17-21). And he points to two things that really reveals his innocence: first, the fact that his original accusers – the Jews from Ephesus who saw him supposed desecrating the Temple – didn’t even bother to make the trip to Caesarea to accuse him there (v19); and second, the accusers who were present on this day didn’t even mention the thing that got them so riled up before – the resurrection of the dead (v21).
3) V22-27 – 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 a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on 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 favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Felix delayed a decision, waiting to hear from the tribune, Claudius Lysias, on the matter (which may validate the authenticity of v7). We have no further record of Felix holding another hearing, though many experts suppose he thought Paul to be innocent but had hopes of holding him for ransom, taking a bribe to release him to the highest bidder. No offers were tendered, and so Paul remained. Felix, whom Luke says, surprisingly, had “a rather accurate knowledge of the Way” (v22), called on Paul from time to time. One of his wives, Drusilla, a Jewess, may have wanted to hear Paul, who preached “on righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” (v25). In the end, continued strife between Romans and Jews got Felix recalled to Rome, and Porcius Festus succeeded him as governor. Paul was a seemingly forgotten man – left in prison as a favor to the Jews.
Footnotes
- 24:6-8 Some manuscripts him and wanted to judge him according to our law. 7 But the commander, Lysias, came and with the use of much force snatched him from our hands 8 and ordered his accusers to come before you. By
Bible text from Gospelcom.net. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.