Acts 24
Paul Before Felix at Caesarea
And aafter five days the high priest bAnanias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before cthe governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, amost excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, aone who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of bthe sect of the Nazarenes. 6 aHe even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.
10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that ait is not more than twelve days since I bwent up cto worship in Jerusalem, 12 and athey did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 aNeither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to athe Way, which they call ba sect, cI worship dthe God of our fathers, believing everything elaid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 ahaving ba hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be ca resurrection dof both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always atake pains to have a bclear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now aafter several years bI came to bring alms to cmy nation and to present dofferings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me apurified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But bsome Jews from Asia— 19 athey ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing athat I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
Paul Kept in Custody
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of athe Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he ashould be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that bnone of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about afaith bin Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned aabout righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. bWhen I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped athat money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius aFestus. And bdesiring to do the Jews a favor, cFelix left Paul in prison.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway,
a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.