1 AND after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of 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 to profane the temple: whom 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: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising 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 after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, 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 offence 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, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, 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, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

1And after fiue dayes, Ananias the hie Priest descended with the Elders, and with a certaine Oratour named Tertullus, who enformed the gouernour against Paul.

2And when he was called foorth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enioy great quietnesse, and that very worthy deeds are done vnto this natiō by thy prouidence:

3Wee accept it alwayes, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulnesse.

4Notwithstanding, that I be not farther tedious vnto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest heare vs of thy clemencie a few words.

5For we haue found this man a pestilent fellow, and a moouer of sedition among all the Iewes throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

6Who also hath gone about to profane the Temple: whom we tooke, and would haue iudged according to our lawe.

7But the chiefe captaine Lysias came vpon vs, and with great violence tooke him away out of our hands:

8Commanding his accusers to come vnto thee, by examining of whom thy selfe mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

9And the Iewes also assented, saying that these things were so.

10Then Paul, after that the gouernour had beckened vnto him to speake, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many yeeres a Iudge vnto this nation, I do the more cheerefully answere for my selfe:

11Because that thou mayest vnderstand, that there are yet but twelue dayes, since I went vp to Hierusalem for to worship.

12And they neither found me in the Temple disputing with any man, neither raising vp the people, neither in the Synagogues, nor in the citie:

13Neither can they proue the things whereof they now accuse me.

14But this I confesse vnto thee, that after the way which they call heresie, so worship I the God of my fathers, beleeuing all things which are written in the Law and the Prophets,

15And haue hope towards God, which they themselues also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the iust and vniust.

16And herein doe I exercise my selfe to haue alwayes a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

17Now after many yeeres, I came to bring almes to my nation, & offrings:

18Wherupon certaine Iewes from Asia found me purified in the Temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult:

19Who ought to haue beene here before thee, and obiect, if they had ought against me.

20Or else let these same here say, if they haue found any euill doing in mee, while I stood before the Councill,

21Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

22And when Felix heard these things, hauing more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them and said, When Lysias the chiefe captaine shall come downe, I will know the vttermost of your matter.

23And he commanded a Centurion to keepe Paul, and to let him haue libertie, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister, or come vnto him.

24And after certaine dayes, when Felix came with his wife Orusilla, which was a Iew, he sent for Paul, and heard him cōcerning the faith in Christ.

25And as he reasoned of righteousnesse, temperance, and iudgement to come, Felix trembled and answered, Go thy way for this time, when I haue a conuenient season, I will call for thee.

26He hoped also that money should haue bene giuen him of Paul, that hee might loose him: wherefore hee sent for him the oftner, and cōmuned with him.

27But after two yeeres, Portius Festus came into Felix roome: and Felix willing to shew the Iewes a pleasure, left Paul bound.

 

1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an advocate, a certain Tertullus, and they presented formal charges against Paul to the governor. 2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Since we have attained much peace through you, and reforms have been accomplished in this nation through your provident care, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. 4 But in order not to detain you further, I ask you to give us a brief hearing with your customary graciousness. 5 We found this man to be a pest; he creates dissension among Jews all over the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazoreans.6 He even tried to desecrate our temple, but we arrested him.

7 Verse seven was removed after finding additional manuscripts.

8 If you examine him you will be able to learn from him for yourself about everything of which we are accusing him." 9 The Jews also joined in the attack and asserted that these things were so. 10 Then the governor motioned to him to speak and Paul replied, "I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years and so I am pleased to make my defense before you. 11 As you can verify, not more than twelve days have passed since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in the city did they find me arguing with anyone or instigating a riot among the people. 13 Nor can they prove to you the accusations they are now making against me. 14 But this I do admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors and I believe everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God as they themselves have that there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 Because of this, I always strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man. 17 After many years, I came to bring alms for my nation and offerings. 18 While I was so engaged, they found me, after my purification, in the temple without a crowd or disturbance. 19 But some Jews from the province of Asia, who should be here before you to make whatever accusation they might have against me -  20 or let these men themselves state what crime they discovered when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 unless it was my one outcry as I stood among them, that 'I am on trial before you today for the resurrection of the dead.'" 22 Then Felix, who was accurately informed about the Way, postponed the trial, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I shall decide your case." 23 He gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from caring for his needs. 24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He had Paul summoned and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he spoke about righteousness and self-restraint and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "You may go for now; when I find an opportunity I shall summon you again." 26 At the same time he hoped that a bribe would be offered him by Paul, and so he sent for him very often and conversed with him. 27 Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wishing to ingratiate himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison. 

 

v1. The high priest himself along with at  least some of the  Sanhedrin came prepared with one of the best orators of the area.
v2-4. With expertise Tertullus spends as much time pouring on the flattery as in his argument, while Felix was actually a vicious, selfish ruler.
v5,6. This is a trumped up charge intended to appeal to Roman authorities on three counts. 1. Rome would not allow trouble makers, 2. Rome did not allow new sects or cults, 3. Rome would allow Jews to kill Gentiles who entered the temple. Paul was not a seditionist and always honored the temple. Partly true, he was prominent among the Nazarenes, followers of Jesus, but not a sect. In Matt. 2:23 it is told that Jesus will be called a Nazarene (See Isa. 11:1 where the Messiah is a rod or “netzer” out of the stem of Jesse.) Paul would not be properly judged by their law, he was already condemned in their minds.
v7. He fails to mention that the force of soldiers were sent to rescue Paul from certain death.
v8,9. All the Jews agreed with Tertullus but the chief captain was not present to testify. However Felix already had his written statement and need not have waited.
v10. With a Jewess wife, v24, Felix had enough experiential knowledge of the Jewish system that Paul felt quite comfortable in making his defense.
v11-13. It would be incredible that Paul could have done everything they said in just twelve days. He knew they could not prove any of their false charges. Various explanations on passage of the twelve days include: Arrival in Jerusalem, complete the vows, 7 days; Day 8 before Sanhedrin; Day 9, conspiracy and it’s defeat; Day 10, Paul sent to Caesarea; Day 12, trial before Felix.
v14-16. Paul and the Jews believed the same concerning the true God and  resurrection, but he goes a step farther in believing all the O.T. Scriptures, some of which, concerning Christ, they were ignoring.
v17. Alms were the gifts he brought from the missionary churches.
v18,19. In 21:26 it tells of him purifying himself and paying for those who had a vow. None of the viewers were accusing him.
v20,21. Neither could these here testify of any wrong unless one considered the tumult that arose between the Sadducees and Pharisees about Paul’s belief in the resurrection. Since at that time the Sanhedrin had not found him guilty, there was really no basis for Tertullus’ arguments.
v22. As Paul had said, Felix had some knowledge of “that way”, the Christian beliefs which were an outgrowth of the Old Testament, not a cult. Probably to appease the Jews, he said he would postpone judgment till the chief captain came.
v23. Now Paul is simply under house arrest and can freely have visitors.
v24.  Felix had been a slave, but had a lucky appointment and married into royalty three times. He persuaded his third, Drusilla, to divorce her husband, king of Syria, and marry him when she was sixteen. She was a Jewess, so he had a real working knowledge about the Jewish faith and Christian activity. He may have felt both he and his wife would find Paul’s faith in Christ interesting as well as a supplement to his knowledge. Drusilla was still a teenager at this meeting with Paul.
v25. With this made to order chance to preach, Paul unloads the whole gospel. It leaves loose living Felix fearful of the wrath of God, but not yet ready for salvation.
v26. Felix seems to have shaken off conviction and thinks he can get a bribe from Paul and his friends, the way they stick together.
v27. Money and politics. Since he couldn’t get a bribe, at least he had some favor of the Jews by keeping Paul under arrest, but still got fired over other Jewish complaints to Rome.