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| Chapter 24 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders and with him a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when Paul was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by thee we enjoy much quietness, most noble Felix, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 we accept it always and in all places with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear from us in thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 6 who also hath gone about profaning the temple. Him we took and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 commanding his accusers to come unto thee, so that by examining him thyself, thou mayest have knowledge of all of these things whereof we accuse him." 9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. 10 ¶ Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered: "Inasmuch as I know that thou hast been for many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself. 11 For thou mayest understand that there have been yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither stirring up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city. 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess unto thee, that according to the Way, which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15 And I have hope in God, which they themselves also hold, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. 17 "Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings, 18 whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, with neither crowd nor tumult. 19 These ought to have been here before thee to object if they had aught against me; 20 or else let these same say here if they have found any evildoing in me when I stood before the council, 21 unless it be for this one utterance that I cried out standing among them: ’Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am called into question by you this day.’" 22 ¶ And when Felix heard these things, having a more complete knowledge of that way, he deferred the hearing and said, "When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter." 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, but to let him have some liberties, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintances to minister or come unto him. 24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jew, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as Paul reasoned about righteousness, temperance, and the Judgment to come, Felix trembled and answered, "Go thy way for this time. When I have a convenient occasion I will call for thee." 26 He hoped also that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him the oftener and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’s position; and Felix, wanting to show the Jews a favor, left Paul bound. |
Under the Roman laws the "citizen" was often the first condition to be protected, but this caused a problem, corruption in the justice system. Paul soon found this problem. In this chapter we see the Roman law in operation. v1-9 Accusation To a Jew, Jerusalem was the "center of the world" this is why the official party "came down" from Jerusalem to Caesarea. Ananias, elders and a lawyer Tertullus arrive from Jerusalem five days later, it was Tertullus who now makes the accusation against Paul. v2-4 Tertullus, the counsellor, starts with what was normal in the courts, a period of flattery of the judge. He said that the judge was so "wonderful" in his life and work, the idea was to get the judge on your side before the trial starts. We have to question the "peace" as it required a large number of soldiers to protect and bring Paul to the judge Felix. v5,6 The accusations against Paul are even less truthful, he brings three charges, "a pestilent (dangerous) fellow," a "mover of sedition (spreading illegal activities) and ringleader" and finally a "profaning (acting in a none holy or religious way) the temple." In some ways the first charge was true, wherever Paul had been the Jews had caused riots or there was a turning to the true worshiping of God, he was dangerous to the old, man controlled worship, that existed amongst the Jews. It was always the Jews who caused the problems, never the Roman authorities. The political charge of sedition was more serious, no Roman authority would be pleased to encourage what appears to be a revolt against the Roman State. The Jews were allowed to continue their worship but only if it did not create a threat to the Roman Empire. This charge would have got the attention of Felix. Again there is some truth in the charge as Paul had preached that Jesus was the King and Lord of the believers, this could be turned into treason against Caesar. Acts 16:20-21; Acts 17:5-8. It was also illegal to start a new religion without approval by Roman Authorities, "the sect of the Nazarenes." The Christian faith was still linked to the Jews faith at this time. Gentiles were allowed to worship according to the Jewish faith so at first there was no problem, later, as the Christian churches separated from the synagogues, trouble with the authorities appear. The third charge was a little more difficult for Tertullus as it involved a Roman officer and his action. The original charge by the Asian Jews was that he brought in Gentiles to the temple, so polluted the temple Acts 21:28, the charge made by Tertullus was that Paul "profaned the temple," v6. Why? the Asian Jews had disappeared and the charge could not be proved, no witness, no proof. The Jews were allowed to prosecute anyone who broke Jewish law, even execute in some cases, this is what would have happened to Paul if the Soldiers had not arrived. Tertullus knew that if the Jews had not been stopped Felix would not have been involved. v10-21 Paul’s Answer. Felix asks Paul to speak. No flattery from Paul just that Felix had experience and knowledge. v22 suggests that Felix has knowledge of the "Nazarene sect" and how the Jews were reacting to it. v11-16 Paul answers the charges. Paul was in the temple to worship and not to cause a problem, he had never preached in the temple, he had agreed with Peter and the elders not to evangelize in Jerusalem Gal 2:7-10. Paul continues, that he had only been in Jerusalem a week and would not have had time to cause problems. Paul now turns to the next charge, Paul again knew that both Sadducee and Pharisees were present so uses their different understanding of scripture. Though Saul was now a Christian he still worshipped the same God as he did as a Jew, the only difference is that the worship is through Jesus Christ our Priest. John 5:20-24. Sadducees accepted the 5 books of Moses but not the rest of the Old Testament, they could not accept resurrection because it was not in the Books of Moses. They questioned Jesus on the matter Matt 22:23-33. The Pharisees did believe in the resurrection, but this was a problem for them, if Paul’s belief was heretical then so were they. v17-21 Paul now explains why he was in the Temple, he had come with help for the Jewish people and was there to make his own offering to God with four Jews fulfilling their Nazarite vows. He finally challenges the accusers, the Asian Jews, as a Roman citizen these Jews should have been present to face the accused, or the charges cancelled. He comments that the council had mistreated him and not allowed him to speak. It is a good job for Ananias that he did not mention that he had been hit across the face, a serious act against a Roman citizen. "If I have done anything wrong," says Paul, "then it is that I believe in the resurrection." v22,23 Felix decided to end the examination until Claudius, the Captain of the guard arrives. Paul is to be put under guard but allowed his friends to visit him. v24-27 The attitude of Felix. Some days later Felix and his wife Drusilla sent for Paul to hear about his faith. Paul’s sermon gives three reasons, a persons righteousness, self-control, behaviour and future judgement. Felix was disturbed by the sermon but chose "to wait for a more convenient time." v26 Felix had hoped that Paul would offer him money to be released, he probable knew about the money he had brought to help the Jewish Christians, so he often saw Paul. v27 In an attempt to please the Jews he kept Paul a prisoner. After two years Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus. |
Easy English Translation
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