Acts 24
Berean Standard Bible · Compare translations · AD 57 – AD 59 · The early church · Tap a verse to copy, share or highlight ·
26 verses · 585 words · ~3 min read · ~4 min listen
Tertullus Prosecutes Paul
1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
2When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. 3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. 4But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
Paulʼs Defense to Felix
10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense. 11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city. 13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings. 18At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia 19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
The Verdict Postponed
22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.” 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
24After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.” 26At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Footnotes (4)
- a v1 Or an orator
- b v6 TR includes and we would have judged him according to our law. 7 But Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.
- c v18 Literally from Asia; Asia was a Roman province in what is now western Turkey.
- d v20 Or the Council
Study notes on this chapter · 1
Many who sleep in the dust will awake
Daniel 12 says that at a time of unparalleled distress many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame. This is one of the clearest Old Testament statements about bodily resurrection. Jesus and Paul both affirm a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous, and Jesus says the righteous will shine like the sun.
When: Daniel (c. 530 BC, or c. 165 BC in critical dating); Jesus' teaching, c. AD 28–30; Paul before Felix, c. AD 57.
Ways people read this (3)
- A general resurrection at the end of the age (the common Christian and Pharisaic reading).
- Some take 'many' to describe a partial resurrection, before a later general one (as in some premillennial readings).
- Some see a national or symbolic restoration rather than bodily resurrection (a minority reading).
Editorial note by BibleWay. Interpretations vary; dates are approximate scholarly estimates.