Man living at the time of the New Testament
Felix was a Roman governor of Judea who heard the case against Paul and kept him in custody for two years.
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Felix was a Roman procurator (governor) of Judea who served from approximately 52 to 60 AD. He is mentioned in the book of Acts in connection with the apostle Paul's imprisonment and trial. Paul was brought before Felix in Caesarea after being accused by the Jewish leaders of being a troublemaker and inciting riots (Act.23.24, 26). During the hearing, Paul defended himself against the charges and spoke about his faith in Christ (Act.24.10-21). Felix, who was well-informed about Christianity, postponed making a decision and kept Paul in custody, hoping to receive a bribe from him (Act.24.22-26). Felix also heard Paul speak about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, which caused him to be afraid (Act.24.25). However, Felix left Paul in prison for two years until his successor, Porcius Festus, took office (Act.24.27). The account of Paul's interaction with Felix highlights the challenges faced by early Christians in the face of Roman authority and the corruption within the judicial system.
Part of: Paul's Circle · The Herods · Roman Officials
Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and heard Paul speak of faith in Christ. When Paul discussed righteousness, self-control, and judgment, Felix grew afraid and sent him away. Felix also hoped for a bribe.
Sources: Scripture
Acts says Drusilla was Jewish. Josephus says she was a sister of Agrippa II who left her first husband for Felix. So Paul spoke before Felix, Drusilla, and then two years later her brother.
Sources: Scripture · Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews
Lysias, the tribune, rescued Paul from the temple mob, discovered he was a Roman citizen, and sent him to Felix with a letter. His Roman name Claudius suggests he acquired citizenship under the emperor Claudius, consistent with his remark that he bought it.
Sources: Scripture
Paul stayed two years in custody under Felix, who left him in prison to please the Jews. Festus succeeded Felix and Paul appealed to Caesar.
Sources: Scripture
Tertullus flattered Felix and accused Paul for the high priest's delegation.
Sources: Scripture
More background: search Wikipedia ↗
Happy, the Roman procurator of Judea before whom Paul “reasoned” (Acts 24:25). He appears to have expected a bribe from Paul, and therefore had several interviews with him. The “worthy deeds” referred to in 24:2 was his clearing the country of banditti and impostors. At the end of a two years’ term, Porcius Festus was appointed in the room of Felix (A.D. 60), who proceeded to Rome, and was there accused of cruelty and malversation of office by the Jews of Caesarea. The accusation was rendered nugatory by the influence of his brother Pallas with Nero. (See Josephus, Ant. xx. 8, 9.) Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa, having been induced by Felix to desert her husband, the king of Emesa, became his adulterous companion. She was seated beside him when Paul “reasoned” before the judge. When Felix gave place to Festus, being “willing to do the Jews a pleasure,” he left Paul bound.
(happy), a Roman procurator of Judea appointed by the emperor Claudius in A.D. 53. He ruled the province in a mean, cruel and profligate manner. His period of office was full of troubles and seditions. St. Paul was brought before Felix in Caesarea. He was remanded to prison, and kept there two years in hopes of extorting money from him. (Acts 24:26,27) At the end of that time Porcius Festus [Festus, Porcius] was appointed to supersede Felix, who, on his return to Rome, was accused by the Jews in Caesarea, and would have suffered the penalty due to his atrocities had not his brother Pallas prevailed with the emperor Nero to spare him. This was probably about A.D. 60. The wife of Felix was Drusilla, daughter of Herod Agrippa I., who was his third wife and whom he persuaded to leave her husband and marry him.
FE'LIX (happy), the Roman governor of Judaea, a.d. 52-60, was a profligate and cruel man. Acts 23:26. He was married three times. His third wife was Drusilla, whom he persuaded to leave her husband and marry him, and they were residing at Caesarea when Paul was brought there in custody. He is specially known for the manner in which he treated the exhortations and warnings of Paul, Acts 24:26, who preached before him a most practical sermon, arraigning his crimes and urging upon him the duty of repentance in view of future judgment. The sermon made an impression, for "Felix trembled," but it was transient. He kept the apostle imprisoned for 2 years, and postponed the inquiry respecting his own salvation until a "convenient season," which, so far as we know, never came. Felix was superseded by Porcius Festus 2 years after this event, and tried at Rome before Nero for malversation of office, but escaped punishment through the intervention of Pallas, the freedman of Claudius and his successor, Nero.
FE'LIX (happy), the Roman governor of Judaea, a.d. 52-60, was a profligate and cruel man. Acts 23:26. He was married three times. His third wife was Drusilla, whom he persuaded to leave her husband and marry him, and they were residing at Caesarea when Paul was brought there in custody. He is specially known for the manner in which he treated the exhortations and warnings of Paul, Acts 24:26, who preached before him a most practical sermon, arraigning his crimes and urging upon him the duty of repentance in view of future judgment. The sermon made an impression, for "Felix trembled," but it was transient. He kept the apostle imprisoned for 2 years, and postponed the inquiry respecting his own salvation until a "convenient season," which, so far as we know, never came. Felix was superseded by Porcius Festus 2 years after this event, and tried at Rome before Nero for malversation of office, but escaped punishment through the intervention of Pallas, the freedman of Claudius and his successor, Nero.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
8 verses in 1 book · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G5344
Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”
Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.
In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
After 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.
As 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.”
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Since they were staying several days, Festus laid out Paulʼs case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.