Acts Chapter 24

From The Open Bible Project

24:1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.

• (1) Hypocrites, when they can not do what they want to do by force and deceit, at length they go about to accomplish it by a show of law.

24:2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation,

• (a) Felix ruled that province with great cruelty and covetousness, and yet Josephus records that he did many worthy things, such as taking Eleazar the captain of certain cutthroats, and put that deceiving wretch the Egyptian to flight, who caused great troubles in Judea.
• (b) He uses a word which the Stoics defined as a perfect duty and perfect behaviour.

24:3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

24:4 But, that I don't delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words.

24:5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

• (c) Literally, "a plague".
• (d) As one would say, a ringleader, or a flag bearer.
• (e) So they scoffingly called the Christians, taking the name from the towns where they thought that Christ was born, whereupon it happened that Julian the apostate called Christ a Galilean.

24:6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.[75]

24:7 [76]

24:8 [77]By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."

24:9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so.

• (f) Confirmed what Tertullus said.

24:10 When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, "Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,

• (2) Tertullus, by the devil’s rhetoric, begins with flattery and finishes with lies: but Paul using heavenly eloquence, and but a simple beginning, casts off from himself the crime of sedition, with which he was being charged, with a simple denial.
• (g) Paul pleaded his cause two years before Felix departed out of the province, see (Acts 24:27), but he had governed Trachonite, and Batanea, and Galavnite, before Claudius made him governor of Judea; see Josephus in the History of the Jewish War, lib. 2, cap. 11.

24:11 seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.

24:12 In the temple they didn't find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.

24:13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.

• (h) They cannot lay forth before you and prove with good reasons.

24:14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

• (3) Paul proceeds in the case of religion from a conjectural state to a practical state, not only admitting of the religion which he was accused of, but also proving it to be true, to be heavenly and from God, and to be the oldest of all religions.
• (i) Here this word "heresy" or "sect" is taken in a good sense.

24:15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

24:16 Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

24:17 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings;

• (4) Paul in conclusion tells the things thing which was truly done, which Tertullus before him had corrupted in various ways.

24:18 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil.

• (k) And while I was occupied with those things.
• (l) By this it is evident that these from Asia were Paul’s enemies, and the ones that stirred up the people against him.

24:19 They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.

24:20 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council,

• (m) Where the tribune brought me.

24:21 unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!'"

24:22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case."

• (5) The judge suspends his sentence because the matter is doubtful.
• (n) Felix could not judge whether he had done wickedly in the matter of his religion or not until he had a better understanding of the way which Paul professed: and as for other matters with regard to the charge of sedition, he considers it good to defer it until he hears Lysias, and therefore he gives Paul somewhat more liberty.

24:23 He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him.

• (6) God is a most faithful keeper of his servants, and the power of the truth is wonderful, even amongst men who are otherwise profane.

24:24 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

• (o) This Drusilla was Agrippa’s sister of whom Luke speaks afterwards, a harlot and very licentious woman, and being the wife of Azizus king of the Emesens, who was circumcised, departed from him, and went to this Felix the brother of Pallas, who was at one time the slave of Nero.

24:25 As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you."

24:26 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him.

24:27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

• (7) With an evil mind, that is guilty in itself, and although sometimes there is some show of fairness, yet eventually the conscience will be extinguished: but in the meanwhile we have need of continual patience.
• (p) For he had behaved himself very wickedly in the province, and had it not been for favour of his brother Pallas, he would have died for it: so that we may gather by this why he would have pleased the Jews.